Platform: The 2018 Nissan Leaf is built on an evolution of the current Leaf’s platform. Structural changes will allow a modular battery-pack architecture to be used, and fresh approaches to managing power flow and battery temperature will better serve the needs of customers in extreme climates. Otherwise, packaging will remain about the same; there’s no push toward a crossover-aping tall-roof, high-seat design here. Nissan has been proactive about DC fast charging, and we expect at least the top version to be compatible with speedier 150-kW fast chargers, something that could give the Leaf an advantage over the Bolt EV. Look for highway-travel-oriented ProPilot self-driving technology to be included, along with a suite of attendant active-safety features.
Powertrain: The electric motor/generator will provide about the same amount of power as seen in the outgoing car, which has 107 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque, and the Leaf will again be front-wheel drive. What will be different is that there will be a choice between two—and possibly three—battery packs, starting at 40 kWh of capacity and likely topping out at 60 kWh. Those packs won’t be much if any heavier than the 30-kW unit in the outgoing model, so performance likely will remain in the same ballpark: perky at low city speeds, merely adequate everywhere else, and not particularly inspiring.