Leaf

Make
Nissan
Segment
Hatchback

The Nissan Leaf is the best-selling EV on the market, but it's the only electric vehicle Nissan currently sells, and its paltry 150-mile range leaves a lot to be desired. As competition in the EV segment is rapidly ramping up, Clean Technica reports that Nissan is developing a second mass-market EV in the form of an electric crossover, which was first previewed by the IMx Kuro concept that debuted at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.

Citing a "credible and well-informed source," the publication claims Nissan's upcoming electric crossover will have a 220-mile range, which is a significant improvement over the Leaf's 150-mile range and isn't too far behind the Tesla Model X 75D, which has an EPA-estimated range of 237. It still falls short of the Hyundai Kona EV, however, which delivers a range of 258 miles, and the Nissan IMx Kuro Concept that debuted with a 373-mile range.

Like the Leaf, Nissan's electric crossover will also be more affordable than the competition, as the source claims the automaker is targeting a price tag of $45,000. That makes it significantly cheaper than the Model X's starting price of $83,000 including destination fees. While this would make it $15,000 more than the Nissan Leaf, it will potentially be one of the most affordable electric crossovers on the market, although other entry-level EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model 3 are still cheaper.

Other details are scarce, but the publication claims Nissan's electric crossover is around the same size as the Lexus RX. At this stage, it's unclear if the model will be badged as a Nissan or Infiniti, but the price point and luxury features suggest it will be branded as a premium model. Alternatively, both brands could release a version of the model.

The source described the interior of a prototype as "very upscale" interior with materials that "gave the Lexus a run for its money" and an "elongated screen [which spans] from in front of the driver to around the middle of the passenger seat."