Skip to main content

Nissan’s next-gen Leaf will bring semiautonomous tech to the masses

Nissan tweets a teaser photo and release date for its next-generation Leaf

Nissan is about to give the all-electric Leaf a full makeover. It’s about time, too; the current, first-generation Nissan Leaf has been on the market since the end of 2010, and it’s getting a little bit long in the tooth. Its replacement won’t break cover for another few months, but the Japanese company is giving us an early look at some of its headline-grabbing tech features. Nissan USA recently tweeted a teaser image of its new Leaf, then added a background image showing the car’s entire front end (which has since been removed). The image below is our best look yet at the redesigned EV.

The next Leaf will finally usher in Nissan’s suite of semiautonomous driving features, a sign that the once-expensive technology is trickling down to more affordable models. Named ProPilot Assist, the software relies on sensors and cameras to help control acceleration, braking, and steering. It only works on the highway, particularly in dense traffic, and its job is merely to keep the car in its lane. Don’t expect it to change lanes on its own like the systems built by Mercedes-Benz and Tesla.

Recommended Videos

That’s just the beginning, though. Nissan promises its ProPilot tech will offer increasing levels of autonomy in the coming years. Eventually, it will even be able to drive itself through busy intersections in crowded urban centers. Nissan previewed its self-driving tech two years ago when it introduced the IDS Concept at the Tokyo Auto Show, and it has been testing the software all around the world ever since.

In July, Nissan shared a bit more information about what we can expect from ProPilot Assist. The technology is classified as SAE Level 2 semi-autonomous driving feature, which is to say that it’s only partially automated. You’re not meant to take your hands off the wheel even when the feature is enabled. That said, it’ll do a lot of driving for you. It’ll stay in one lane and manage your steering wheel to ensure that it stays in the center of said lane. It also features adaptive cruise control capable of bringing your Leaf to a complete stop, then reaccelerating when it senses that the car in front of it has begun moving again.

Operation of the system promises to be quite straight forward as well, as you’re effectively just turning on cruise control (which is actually the first step). Then, press the Nissan “Safety Shield” button, set your cruise control speed, and ProPilot Assist will take over.

Next Gen Nissan Leaf Front
Next-gen Nissan Leaf front end Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nissan isn’t ready to spill the beans about what will power its next Leaf. What’s certain is that the model will remain electric, and front-wheel drive. You didn’t think it would get a supercharged V8, did you?

It could offer up to 340 miles of range thanks to a much bigger battery pack than the one used by today’s model, according to British magazine Autocar. However, Nissan might also follow Tesla’s lead and offer a selection of two or three battery packs. Motorists who mostly drive in the city will pay less for less range, while those who need a long-range EV will be able to select a bigger, more expensive battery.

The 2018 Nissan Leaf will make its debut on September 5, just ahead of the biennial Frankfurt Motor Show. The battery-powered hatchback will be branded a 2018 model when it lands in showrooms across the nation during the first half of next year.

Update: Nissan revealed a bit more information about its upcoming ProPilot Assist feature. 

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
This week in EV tech: Audi exemplifies auto industry’s EV holding pattern
Close-up of 2025 Audi SQ5 grille, headlight, and badge.

The road to the future runs through the present, and it’s not a straight line. This week, we’re focusing on how Audi is negotiating the twists and turns on the way to an electrified future. EVs are here to stay at Audi, but a gasoline crossover SUV is still the automaker’s bestselling model, and it’s not ready to risk those sales just yet. That’s why the 2025 Audi Q5 received a top-to-bottom overhaul for this model year, bringing its tech features and styling up to date without altering the what has proven to be a very popular package. By maintaining parallel lineups of electric and internal-combustion cars, Audi hopes to give customers more choices. But that doesn’t completely level the playing field. The new Q5 may have yesterday’s powertrain, but Audi isn’t holding back on tech. It features the same electrical architecture, operating system, and three-screen dashboard display as the latest Audi EVs, like the Q6 e-tron. So aside from a little engine noise, there’s little difference in what you can see and interact with from the driver’s seat. It’s not just the infotainment systems. The Q5 and Q6 e-tron are close in size, with similar space for passengers across their two rows of seats. The Q6 e-tron has a bit more cargo space, but not as much as you’d think given the lack of a bulky engine, transmission, and driveshafts. The two SUVs also have similar styling but, having now driven both, we can say that the Q5 is the more pleasant of the two.

More than a difference of powertrain tech

Read more
Take a peek inside the factory making tomorrow’s ride
A Zoox robotaxi.

Amazon-owned Zoox has opened its first facility producing fully autonomous robotaxis. 

A video (above) released by the California-based company offers a peek inside the factory, which, when it reaches full capacity, could roll out as many as 10,000 autonomous vehicles per year.

Read more
The week in EV tech: 900 miles, 12 minutes—EV charging just hit warp speed
byd 900 miles 12 minutes seal

Welcome to Digital Trends’ weekly recap of the revolutionary technology powering, connecting, and now driving next-gen electric vehicles. 
If you’re hesitant about electric vehicles (EV), it’s likely that your top concerns include how far you can drive in a single charge, how long it takes to charge the battery, and how much this advanced tech will cost you. And you're not alone.
According to Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study, nearly half of U.S. consumers (49%) still say that available battery driving range is their biggest worry about EVs. That’s followed closely by the time required to charge (46%) and the lingering cost premium (44%) associated with battery electric vehicles.
But that narrative may finally be flipping. Just this past week, two developments showcase how much EV technology has evolved over the past decade: China’s BYD is breaking new grounds on just how far you can drive an EV on a single 12-minute charge. Meanwhile, the Nissan Leaf, seen as the first mass-market EV in 2010, is getting an impressive upgrade even as it remains one of the most affordable options on the market.

BYD’s bold battery bet
Chinese auto giant BYD, already the world’s top-selling EV manufacturer, may have just redrawn the limits of battery performance. According to Chinese media, and other reports, the company is testing a new solid-state battery that can add 900 miles of range in just 12 minutes of charging.
Let that sink in. That’s nearly four times the range of many current EVs—enough to drive from New York to Chicago —and charging that’s as fast as a coffee stop.

Read more