The New Nissan Leaf Will Also Be a Mitsubishi

In exchange, Nissan will put its badge on a plug-in hybrid Mitsubishi.

Photo by: Nissan

By: Adrian Padeanu

May 7, 2025 at 7:37am ET

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Times are tough in the automotive industry; ask Nissan and Mitsubishi. They've been going through a rough patch for some time, but aim to bounce back by leveraging their alliance to fast-track new model launches. The third-generation Leaf, now a crossover, will serve as the basis for a new Mitsubishi-badged EV slated to go on sale in the United States in the summer of 2026.

The next Leaf has already been previewed ahead of a full debut set for June. Nissan’s revamped electric crossover will ride on the CMF-EV platform, borrowed from the larger Ariya. When it launches in Q3 2025, it will also be Nissan’s first model to adopt the NACS charging port, making it compatible with Tesla’s Supercharger network. Other confirmed features include a 0.26 drag coefficient, 19-inch wheels, and an available panoramic sunroof.

Mitsubishi future lineup teaser

Photo by: Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi is recycling a teaser image it initially shared last year, previewing its revitalized lineup planned through the decade's end. Front and center is the most intriguing vehicle of the bunch, possibly a production version of the 2023 D:X concept. An Automotive News report from last year noted that U.S. dealers were briefed on the arrival of the stubby minivan.

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But what does Nissan get in return? A Mitsubishi plug-in hybrid model will land in North America wearing a Nissan badge next year. While the vehicle's name hasn’t been revealed, it’s likely an Outlander PHEV rebadged as a Rogue PHEV, hinted at by a teaser image (attached below) released in late March. The electrified SUV will be Nissan's first plug-in hybrid to launch in the U.S.

When the new Leaf was unveiled, Nissan confirmed it would introduce a plug-in hybrid Rogue to the American market, so it has to be that. Confusingly, the company was also eager to hype up a next-generation model equipped with the proprietary E-Power range-extender technology, set to arrive later this decade. To broaden its appeal, the fourth-generation Rogue will also be offered as a traditional plug-in hybrid and a more affordable gasoline variant.