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Nissan’s Next Small SUV Is Turning An Electrifying New Leaf

  • 2027 Juke spotted testing ahead of its launch next year.
  • Design loosely echoes the Hyper Punk concept model.
  • The EV is expected to borrow heavily from the latest Leaf.

Nissan offered an early glimpse of the Juke EV earlier this year through a darkened teaser, and now fresh spy shots have caught the upcoming electric crossover out in the wild, testing on European roads.

More: New Nissan Juke Spied Looking Like A Japanese Ford Puma

Dressed in black and white camouflage, the prototype is loosely inspired by the Hyper Punk concept and features large headlights that are hidden behind disguise. We can also see a wide central intake, which appears to have a pronounced sensor.

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Moving further back, there’s a rakish windscreen that meets an angular roof. The model also has an upward sweeping beltline and a compact greenhouse.

The front door handles appear to be flush-mounted, while the rear handles are integrated into the upper door trim. Elsewhere, there are aerodynamic wheels and thick side skirts that help to hide the battery pack.

Out back, there’s a liftgate with an angular rear window and a sizable spoiler. They’re joined by split lighting units that have upper turn signals as well as large, squared off brake lights with interesting graphics.

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The Juke is expected to borrow heavily from the redesigned Leaf and ride on the same CMF-EV / AmpR Medium platform. This likely means it will use the car’s 52 kWh battery pack, which enables the model to have a WLTP combined range in excess of 271 miles (436 km).

We also wouldn’t be surprised if it uses the Leaf’s entry-level motor, which produces 174 hp (130 kW / 177 PS) and 254 lb-ft (345 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 8.3 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 100 mph (161 km/h).

Nissan hasn’t said much about the upcoming model, but they’ve previously confirmed the compact crossover will be launched in fiscal year 2026. It will be built at the company’s Sunderland Plant alongside the Leaf.

 Nissan’s Next Small SUV Is Turning An Electrifying New Leaf

Nissan’s New NX8 SUV Outsizes The Rogue And Might Outshine It Too

  • Nissan NX8 debuted in China ahead of its 2026 market launch.
  • Electric and hybrid versions are powered by CATL battery tech.
  • The electric NX8 makes up to 335 hp from a single electric motor.

Nissan has introduced a new midsize SUV developed in partnership with Dongfeng in China, marking the latest addition to its growing, budget-conscious N-series lineup. Named the NX8, the model joins the existing N6 and N7 sedans and will be offered with a selection of electrified powertrains.

More: Nissan’s New Hybrid Sedan Is As Big An Altima For Thousands Less Than A Versa

The SUV’s exterior design follows the same styling language as its sedan counterparts, with clean surfacing and a grille-free front fascia. A full-width daytime running light runs across the split headlights and wraps around the front fenders, while OLED tail lights extend across the rear.

The overall shape leans toward conventional SUV proportions, marked by flush-fitting door handles and pronounced shoulders.

How Big Is It?

The NX8 measures 4,870 mm (191.7 inches) in length, 1,920 mm (75.6 inches) in width, and 1,680 mm (66.1 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,917 mm (114.8 inches).

That makes it 222 mm (8.7 inches) longer than the Rogue (X-Trail) and 152 mm (6 inches) shorter than the Pathfinder. Interestingly, its wheelbase is 17 mm (0.7 inches) longer than the Pathfinder’s, which should translate to slightly better interior space.

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Images reveal a suite of sensors along with a roof-mounted lidar unit, hinting at advanced driver assistance tech. Nissan hasn’t revealed the interior yet, but it’s expected to mirror the cabin layout of the N6 and N7, likely featuring a prominent touchscreen and soft-touch materials throughout. The company says the NX8 will offer a spacious five-seat configuration.

What Powers It?

Nissan has confirmed the NX8 will be classified as a NEV (New Energy Vehicle), with specifications recently published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

More: Nissan Thinks You’re Not Mature Enough To Appreciate What It Just Launched In Japan

The fully electric variants will be available with either a single motor producing 288 hp (215 kW / 292 PS) or a more powerful version at 335 hp (250 kW / 340 PS).

A plug-in hybrid or range-extender version will also be offered, pairing a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine making 146 hp (109 kW / 148 PS) with an electric motor rated at 262 hp (195 kW / 265 PS).

 Nissan’s New NX8 SUV Outsizes The Rogue And Might Outshine It Too

All variants will use the latest lithium iron phosphate battery packs supplied by CATL. While range figures and battery capacities have not yet been disclosed, the packs are said to support ultra-fast charging.

The market launch of the Nissan NX8 in China is scheduled for the first half of 2026 with pricing set to be announced closer to that date. As with the N6 and N7 sedans, the SUV will reportedly be exported to other markets in the near future.

When and Where Can You Buy One?

Nissan plans to launch the NX8 in China during the first half of 2026, with pricing to be confirmed closer to its market debut. As with the N6 and N7 sedans, the NX8 is expected to be exported to additional markets after its initial rollout. Whether that will include Western regions like Europe and Australia, however, remains to be seen.

As for pricing, we’ll have to wait for official figures, but if the N6 and N7 are any indication, it’s likely to stay within a very competitive range. The N7, for example, is priced between 119,900 and 149,900 yuan, or roughly $17,000 to $21,200 at current exchange rates.

 Nissan’s New NX8 SUV Outsizes The Rogue And Might Outshine It Too
The N7 (left), NX8 (center), and N6 (right) new energy vehicles from the Dongfeng-Nissan joint venture.

Mitsubishi Dealers Want A Sedan And A Truck To Save Sales-Starved Showrooms

  • Mitsubishi’s N.A. boss promised dealers a major “strategic shift” is coming.
  • A rebadged Nissan Leaf-based EV is scheduled to arrive next summer.
  • A rugged Outlander and larger crossover are expected to follow by 2028.

Mitsubishi sales soared 25.8 percent in the United States last year, but their fortunes quickly reversed as year-to-date sales have fallen more than 11 percent through the third quarter. On top of that, the company killed off the popular Mirage, while its aging lineup continues to grow older.

Needless to say, things are looking bleak and that’s before mentioning tariffs and economic uncertainty. However, the automaker is planning a “strategic shift” that promises to “significantly strengthen” their position in the United States.

More: Mitsubishi Will Launch A Second New SUV For The Great American Outdoors

That’s according to a new letter sent to dealers by Mitsubishi Motors North America CEO Mark Chaffin. Autonews says the executive was coy on specifics, but teased this represents a “game-changing moment.” He also reassured dealers that “North America is a priority” for the company.

The lack of substance isn’t very reassuring, but Mitsubishi recently announced a couple of new models for North America. The first is an electric vehicle based on the redesigned Nissan Leaf.

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It arrives in the summer of 2026 and will presumably share powertrains with the Leaf. This means we can expect a 75 kWh battery pack as well as a front-mounted motor producing 214 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and 261 lb-ft (353 Nm) of torque.

The model could also offer an entry-level variant with a smaller 52 kWh battery as well as a 174 hp (130 kW / 177 PS) motor.

It will be joined in late 2026 by a rugged version of the Outlander. The company has previously said the crossover will have unique styling inside and out as well as performance upgrades and off-road focused drive modes.

 Mitsubishi Dealers Want A Sedan And A Truck To Save Sales-Starved Showrooms

Additional models are in the works and one is said to be a mid-sized crossover that would slot above the Outlander. It could arrive in 2028, offer three-rows of seats, and be built in the United States by Nissan.

Dealers are also hoping for a mid-size sedan and a truck, potentially based on the Nissan Frontier. “We could use an entry-level sedan as many OEMs are leaving the segment,” said Mitsubishi dealer board Chairman R. C. Hill, speaking to Automotive News. “Every Mitsubishi dealer would like a truck.”

While it remains to be seen if they’ll get what they want, Chaffin told them the company will be “expanding our focus beyond BEVs to include ICE, HEV, and PHEV models.”

 Mitsubishi Dealers Want A Sedan And A Truck To Save Sales-Starved Showrooms

Source: Auto News

New Nissan Juke Spied Looking Like A Japanese Ford Puma

  • Fully electric third-generation Nissan Juke was spotted testing in Europe.
  • It will be built in Sunderland, UK, alongside the Leaf and Ariya models.
  • The current ICE-powered Juke will remain on sale alongside the new EV.

Among Europe’s more unconventional small SUVs, the Nissan Juke has always stood out for its offbeat quirkiness, and now, it’s preparing to take a major leap forward. A camouflaged prototype of the fully electric, third-generation Juke has been seen undergoing testing on public roads, signaling its progress toward a 2026 market debut.

The upcoming Juke first appeared in an official teaser back in March, sharing the spotlight with the next-generation Micra and Leaf.

More: Nissan’s Smallest Hatch Is Back And It’s Unrecognizable

Interestingly, the EV won’t replace the current combustion-powered model. Instead, Nissan plans to keep selling the petrol and hybrid versions alongside the new electric one, giving buyers a broader mix of powertrains for a while yet.

Even under heavy camouflage, the prototype’s proportions reveal plenty about its direction. Its compact, muscular stance brings to mind the Ford Puma Gen-E, yet the Nissan still shows its personality through angular fender flares, sharp split LED headlights, and a distinctive, tapering greenhouse that nods to the Juke’s earlier generations.

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The tail borrows some cues from the Nissan Kicks playbook, but the rear glass is more slanted, and the tailgate is more sculpted for a sportier look. The prototype rides on futuristic-looking, large alloy wheels finished in black.

We can also see the pop-out door handles on the front doors, and the hidden door handles mounted on the C-pillars – just like in the original. Overall, the design has been significantly toned down compared to the Hyper Punk Concept from 2023.

More: Nissan Fixed The Ariya Right After Ghosting America

While Nissan has yet to share details about the underpinnings of the new Juke, we know that the model will be manufactured at the Sunderland plant in the UK.

 New Nissan Juke Spied Looking Like A Japanese Ford Puma

Chassis and Powertrain

The new Juke EV is expected to use a shortened version of the AmpR Medium (CMF-EV) platform that also underpins the Leaf and Ariya, both built at the same facility. A smaller-scale alternative could be the AmpR Small (CMF-BEV) platform from the Micra, assembled in Douai, France.

Whatever the choice, a single front-mounted electric motor seems likely, possibly paired with two available battery sizes to broaden appeal and price flexibility within the segment.

When it arrives in 2026, the new Nissan Juke EV will compete with the likes of the Peugeot e-2008, Fiat 600e, Jeep Compass, Opel Mokka Electric, Mini Aceman, Ford Puma Gen-E, as well as the upcoming VW ID. Cross and Skoda Epiq twins.

 New Nissan Juke Spied Looking Like A Japanese Ford Puma
The official teaser by Nissan (above) and our exclusive rendering created by Josh Byrnes (below).
 New Nissan Juke Spied Looking Like A Japanese Ford Puma
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