The Nismo treatment does bring some hardware changes, but without a power boost.
Nissan gives the Leaf Nismo suspension upgrades and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 sports tires.
Recaro seats, red accents, and Nismo badges set it apart from the standard Leaf.
As counterintuitive as the idea of a Leaf Nismo might seem, it’s been done before. Nissan’s strategy to Nismo all the things dates back to 2018, when the previous-generation EV spawned a sportier version. With SUVs like the Armada/Patrol and Rogue/X-Trail also getting the Nismo treatment, there’s clearly no limit to which models can wear a badge once reserved for bona fide sports cars. It’s not even the first electric SUV with Nismo branding, as the Ariya Nismo has already been around for a couple of years.
Nissan wants to double the Nismo lineup to 10 models in the coming years and boost annual sales from 100,000 to 150,000 units by the end of 2028. It remains to be seen how big a role the new Leaf Nismo will play, considering people buying a Leaf typically aren’t seeking performance. While it’s still a perfectly sensible EV, the new range-topping version adds a dose of visual drama with a beefier body kit featuring an extended ducktail spoiler.
