Nissan Leaf Reborn as Compact SUV, New Kona EV Rival

Its power source has also been updated. While the second-generation Leaf used a 40 kWh battery, it is now equipped with 52 kWh and 75 kWh capacity options.

The electric motor on the newest Nissan Leaf is said to be 10 percent smaller than the second-generation model.

It is also equipped with a high-rigidity bracket, claimed to help dampen electric motor vibrations 75 percent better.

The 52 kWh variant is claimed to produce 174 hp and a peak torque of 345 Nm, while the 75 kWh type is more powerful at 214 hp and 355 Nm.

Photo : Nissan

Thanks to this battery, the Nissan Leaf is said to be able to travel up to 487 km on a single charge.

Nissan will produce the Leaf at their facilities in Tochigi, Japan, and Sunderland, England.

There is no further information regarding the Leaf's arrival in the Southeast Asian market. In Indonesia, the second-generation model is still offered and brought to every automotive exhibition with huge discounts.

In fact, looking at data from Gaikindo (Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries), as of May 2025, the Nissan Leaf is no longer being distributed to dealers, recording zero wholesale units.

Although currently focused on hybrid cars, Nissan presented the Leaf along with the Sakura for media colleagues to test towards the end of 2024.

Photo : KatadataOTO

Conducted as a survey, this is believed to be a signal that Nissan will not yet back down from the tight competition of electric cars in Indonesia.

If it comes to Indonesia, the all-new Nissan Leaf has the potential to become a new rival for the Hyundai Kona EV. However, the price needs to be considered because the Kona is already locally assembled.

The Kona EV is sold starting from Rp 516 million. Meanwhile, the Nissan Leaf is still fully imported with a price of Rp 700 million.