For several years, the Nissan Leaf hatchback led the charge in global EV sales after it went into production all the way back in 2010. Next year, it's getting more than a facelift: it'll arrive first in the US and Canada as a compact SUV.

The Nissan Leaf is a decent value and has a surprisingly useful interior, but it’s past the point of needing an update. Nissan is poised to do just that in 2026 , with a new Leaf that will arrive as an SUV instead of the hatchback shape it’s sported for years.

The third-generation Nissan Leaf comes later this year, and it needs a big comeback. A much-anticipated model, the all-new 2026 Nissan Leaf, will be unveiled in June, joining the Ariya in Nissan's small stable of EVs.