For several years, the Nissan Leaf hatchback led the charge in global EV sales after it went into production all the way back in 2010. Next year, it's getting more than a facelift: it'll arrive first in the US and Canada as a compact SUV.

The Nissan Leaf is a decent value and has a surprisingly useful interior, but it’s past the point of needing an update. Nissan is poised to do just that in 2026 , with a new Leaf that will arrive as an SUV instead of the hatchback shape it’s sported for years.

But Nissan 's future electric SUV plans extend well beyond a third-gen Leaf; the company is planning on an EV "adventure-focused" SUV, it revealed on Wednesday, as part of an announcement of its plans to invigorate the Nissan lineup in the United States and beyond.