Nissan Leaf.

For over a year, there have been rumors about the next-generation Nissan Leaf. Especially about its design being a production version of the Chill Out concept.

These are the first spy shots I have seen of the actually new Leaf, and so far, it doesn’t look that close to the concept. Which is too bad. I know there is still tons of camouflage. These were also taken with a long lens etc… But, at least so far, it doesn’t look fantastic.

It seems like it might end up looking more like a smaller Ariya than the Chill Out concept. I think the Ariya looks great. But the new Murano also looks a lot like the Ariya. We don’t need that same design in a smaller shape.

This would be what Nissan has down with the current Maxima, Altima, and Sentra. These 3 have basically very similar designs in different sizes.

I do understand concept designs need to be toned down for production, but let’s hope for something more original than a smaller Ariya.

The first generation Leaf came out in 2010. It took 8 years for Nissan to redesign it. And still, it wasn’t an all-new car and used many parts from the 1st generation. A fully new generation is seriously needed.

The current Leaf starts at around $28,000. Even with the probably huge improvements the new one will offer, its base price should really stay at around $30,000. Which is where the upcoming Kia EV3 will be. And probably the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt.

These will be just 3 of the new affordable EVs coming within a year or two.