Nissan will reportedly consider a performance-oriented version of the Leaf electric hatchback, provided enough consumers express legitimate interest in such a thing. The Leaf could even wear the NISMO badge, which in the American market is reserved for the company's sportiest offerings (although similarly branded Leafs have existed in other markets in the past). The key qualifier is that Nissan has to see the demand for the Leaf NISMO before it'll consider taking action.
The Leaf NISMO Would Battle The Ioniq 6 N
Speaking to Carscoops, Nissan Senior Manager of Marketability Christian Spencer said the automaker is always looking for new ways to please its customer base. "I can't talk about future product, but I think that we’re always exploring things that customers are interested in," Spencer told the news outlet. "If we see that demand from the customer base, we're going to follow it." That demand could culminate in a sporty electric vehicle to rival the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N and a production version of the Volkswagen ID. GTI concept.
Nissan/James Lipman
Like the standard Nissan Leaf, a NISMO variant would retain front-wheel drive but add a bit more power from the electric motor, potentially making 250 or 300 horsepower to the Leaf+'s 214. Combined with a relatively svelte 4,300 pounds of curb weight – the Ioniq 6 N will likely tip the scales at 4,600 pounds or so – that would give the Leaf some punchy performance that would be less of an all-out speed machine and more of a snappy little back-road companion. We think the performance variant would be more akin to the late Juke NISMO or first-generation Sentra SE-R, prioritizing balance and driving fun over ridiculous numbers.
A Leaf NISMO Would Be A U.S. First
Nissan doesn't offer nearly as many performance trims in the U.S. as it does in other countries. Here, our NISMO offerings have been limited to the aformentioned Juke crossover, a lukewarm version of the previous-gen Sentra, and a handful of Nissan Z and GT-R sports cars. In 2026, however, Nissan USA will branch out into performance SUVs with the Armada NISMO, which gets 460 hp (up 35 over the regular Armada) and a lowered, stiffened suspension for boulevardier posing and improved composure at speed.
Nissan
But in Japan, Nissan offers NISMO-tuned versions of most of its lineup, including the previous-generation Leaf. Although it had the same output as the regular trim, the NISMO Leaf featured dedicated suspension tuning and a much faster steering ratio of 14.9:1 – down from 18.3:1 in the series-production car. The NISMO also got heavily bolstered Recaro Sportster CS seats with trim-specific red and black upholstery, as well as slick red-lined body accents and unique 18-inch wheels.
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
