After years of stagnation and missed opportunities, Nissan is finally ready to reinvent the iconic Nissan Leaf, along with introducing a lineup of new electric and hybrid vehicles coming to Canada and the U.S. over the next few years. At its recent “Full Speed Ahead” event, Nissan unveiled its product roadmap, featuring over ten new or refreshed vehicles, including the all-new third-generation Leaf and next-gen technologies like e-POWER hybrids.
With the Leaf’s previous shortcomings now in the rearview mirror—like its air-cooled battery and CHAdeMO charging port—the new model adds a suite of premium features. These include 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic moonroof, and, most significantly for North American buyers, a built-in North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. This upgrade will allow Leaf drivers to access Tesla’s Supercharger network without an adapter. Due to its CHAdeMO port, the existing Leaf is unable to plug in to the Supercharger network, even with a NACS adapter.
The Leaf has evolved visually, and now looks much like its larger sibling, the Ariya. The shift from a hatchback to a crossover shape is a functional choice, improving aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.26 and creating a more spacious, family-friendly interior.
Along with the new Leaf, Nissan also announced that a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the popular Rogue SUV will launch in North America soon, marking the brand’s first PHEV offering in Canada and the U.S.
Looking further ahead, the next-generation Rogue—scheduled for production in 2026—will introduce Nissan’s advanced third-generation e-POWER system to North American drivers. This unique hybrid setup uses a small gasoline engine to generate electricity, which in turn powers the electric motor that drives the wheels. Nissan claims the latest version will offer up to 15% better fuel economy than current systems, along with reduced noise and emissions.
Then in 2028, Nissan plans to launch an all new “adventure-focused” electric SUV at its plant in Canton, Mississippi.
Nissan’s luxury brand, INFINITI, is also ramping up its electrification strategy. Upcoming highlights include a refreshed QX60 SUV, a new QX80 package, and an all-new QX65 crossover inspired by the iconic FX. Further out, an electric INFINITI SUV, based on the Vision QXe concept, will begin production in the U.S. in 2027 or 2028.
To support its EV ambitions, Nissan is investing heavily in its North American manufacturing footprint. A new electric adventure SUV and the INFINITI EV will both be built in Canton, Mississippi, using batteries produced domestically through a $661 million partnership with SK On.
