Like they say, life goes on. While the Nissan Ariya may be on its way out of the U.S. lineup after the 2025 model year, a refreshed version has just broken cover in Japan. The facelifted electric crossover will be unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, where it will share the spotlight with the next-generation Elgrand minivan and several other new arrivals.

Originally introduced in 2020, the Ariya didn’t enter production until 2022. Three years on, Nissan has decided it’s time for a thorough update to keep the electric SUV looking fresh against an ever-growing list of rivals.

New Looks and Tech

The most noticeable change is the redesigned front end, which adopts a cleaner, grille-free appearance paired with Leaf-inspired LED headlights. The bumper has been reworked for a simpler look that drops the previous side intakes, while the lower intake gains a more restrained shape. The fog lights have quietly disappeared as well, streamlining the overall design.

More: Nissan’s Most Expensive Leaf Yet Misses Out On A Key Feature

The profile is carried over, but the five spoke alloy wheels have gained a new texture, combined with a fresh color option for the exterior. Nissan didn’t share photos of the rear end, where we expect more subtle updates.

Besides the new looks, the Ariya will gain a Google-powered infotainment, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, and a revised suspension setup “tailored for Japanese roads”. There is no word on any changes to the electric powertrain options and battery packs.

Underneath, a revised suspension setup tuned specifically for Japanese roads aims to deliver a more composed and comfortable drive. So far, Nissan hasn’t mentioned any updates to the electric powertrain or battery options.

The refreshed Ariya will reach Japanese showrooms later in the fiscal year. Whether it returns to the U.S. market for the 2027 model year remains uncertain.

The facelifted Nissan Ariya (above) and the teasers for the next-generation Elgrand (below).

The Next-Gen Elgrand Steps Forward

Another major highlight of Nissan’s Tokyo showcase will be the all-new, fourth-generation Elgrand. Previewed through earlier teasers, the new model takes inspiration from the futuristic-looking 2023 Hyper Tourer concept.

More: Nissan Turned The Dacia Duster Into A Baby Armada

At the front, it features a sculpted nose with pixel-like LEDs and body-colored elements blending with its covered grille. We can also see it has sliding doors, more curves on its boxy silhouette, and full-width taillights.

Under the skin, the Elgrand will use Nissan’s third-generation e-Power hybrid setup. This combines a 1.5-liter gasoline engine that acts purely as a generator with electric motors driving the wheels, resulting in smooth, quiet performance and improved efficiency.

The new hybrid configuration positions the Elgrand to compete more directly with the Toyota Alphard. Nissan also promises an upgraded interior with enhanced comfort, finer materials, and more advanced driver-assistance technology.

The market launch of the all-new Elgrand is expected in 2026. The previous generations debuted in 1997, 2002, and 2010 respectively.

Expanding Mobility Concepts

In addition to its production vehicles, Nissan will present an autonomous mobility service prototype based on the Serena minivan. The pilot program begins in November near Nissan’s Yokohama headquarters, aiming to test transport solutions for Japan’s aging population.

The brand’s booth will also feature a full roster of vehicles, including the newly launched Leaf, the next-generation Roox kei car, the recently facelifted X-Trail Rock Creek, the Fairlady Z, and the upcoming 2026 Skyline 400R Limited Edition.

More: Nissan’s Nismo SUV Takes On GR Sport RAV4 But Skips The One Thing That Matters

Furthermore, visitors will be able to check out the Micra EV subcompact hatchback from Europe, the N7 electric sedan from China, and the Patrol flagship SUV from the Middle East. Finally, Nissan will showcase the GEN3 Formula E car from Season 11 that helped win the driver’s championship title.

The Japan Mobility Show 2025 will be held at the Tokyo Big Sight between October 31 and November 9. However, Nissan’s press conference will be livestreamed on the first media day that takes place on October 29.

Nissan

The 2026 Nissan Leaf will be arriving at U.S. dealers shortly with an all-new crossover-inspired design. However, it will be missing one key feature that many crossovers offer: all-wheel drive.

This isn’t terribly surprising, but it is a little curious, as Nissan made a number of improvements focused on delivering a better ownership experience in colder climates.

Among the changes is an improved thermal management system, which captures waste heat from the motor and on-board charger to warm the battery. This increases energy efficiency as well as provides “more predictable charging performance.”

More: 2026 Nissan Leaf Debuts With Crossover Styling And 300+ Miles Of Range

The cold-weather upgrades extend beyond that, as the SV+ and Platinum+ have a heat pump. Those trims also offer a dedicated battery heater, which costs $300 and further improves winter charging performance.

Where’s the AWD?

Given the crossover-inspired styling and focus on cold-weather performance, we asked Nissan officials about the possibility of an all-wheel drive variant in the future. They said all-wheel drive wasn’t initially considered, as the Leaf is positioned as an affordable electric vehicle.

That strategy isn’t unusual in this segment. Key rivals such as the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV also rely solely on front-wheel drive, so Nissan isn’t exactly out of step with the competition.

Even so, the door to AWD isn’t fully closed. Nissan officials suggested all-wheel drive could be a possibility in the future. This shouldn’t be too shocking, as the Leaf is based on the same CMF-EV platform as the Ariya, which already offers AWD.

That being said, an AWD Leaf might not make as much sense as it seems. Officials pointed out that most EV sales are concentrated in the Sun Belt, where traction on snow and ice isn’t a top concern

The Ariya Isn’t Dead

On top of that, officials noted the “Ariya isn’t done, it’s on pause.” This seems to suggest reports of its demise have been overblown, as the model could potentially return after a hiatus.

However, as a Nissan spokesperson previously explained to us, “No decision has been made yet. We continue to monitor the market environment and will respond accordingly to ensure we are meeting consumer demand with the right line-up of electrified products.”