The All-New Leaf Crossover SUV Isn’t the Right Answer to Nissan’s Woes

Author

Sergiu Tudose
June 22nd, 2025

Welcome to the latest issue of autoevolution weekly!

First off, we discuss why the new Leaf won’t fix Nissan’s problems in the US. Next, we drive the Dacia Bigster, a compact SUV you’re unlikely to be aware of since it only sells in Europe, but is so packed with value it illustrates what paying Hyundai Kona money for a Tucson would feel like.

Moving on to our namesake category, we talk about how the E60 5-Series evolved to the G60 5-Series while still keeping a handful of things in common.

No spyshots this week, instead we switch to car renders, both realistic and highly speculative (looking at you, modern Citroen 2CV).

By the way, if you’re looking to buy a three-row SUV and think you don’t have EV options, think again.

Lastly, we take a look at what’s new in navigation apps from both Apple and Google.

Table of Contents

Editorial: the All-New Leaf Crossover SUV Isn’t the Right Answer to Nissan’s Woes

By: Aurel Niculescu

After two generations on the market as a classic hatchback, the Nissan Leaf - a veritable modern EV pioneer - has reached its third iteration with a paradigm change. Now it's a subcompact crossover SUV – but still with all-electric power under the hood.

Back in 2010, when Elon Musk's American clean energy company Tesla was still in its infancy, and no one was sure if they were supposed to believe the valiant claims associated with the Tesla Model S luxury EV sedan, the Japanese automaker Nissan was a veritable pioneer, bringing to market a five-door hatchback that was supposed to be a "leading environmentally-friendly affordable family car" – aka, a LEAF.

Nissan’s new lineup in the U.S.

In 2025, the revolution is on – Nissan has finally revealed the details about the third-generation Leaf after a massive teaser campaign that left little to the imagination. Now it's a five-door crossover, a coupe-SUV to be more precise, and will arrive under the Nissan Ariya compact crossover based on the AmpR Medium platform, shared with the larger sibling. It will go on sale later this year with S, S+, SV+, and Platinum+ grades, and all of the + trims have a 214-horsepower electric motor churning out 261 pound-feet of torque – and the powertrain is hooked to a 75-kilowatt-hour liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery.

More importantly, the new Nissan Leaf jumps the range to up to 303 miles on a charge – which compares favorably with the 212-mile standard of the current model. Of course, higher trims have lower range ratings – 288 miles for SV+ and 259 miles for Platinum+. There's an optional battery heater, a standard heat pump on the two most expensive trims, and two charging ports - the J1772 port on the driver side and a Tesla-compatible NACS on the passenger side. Fast recharging is done from 10 to 80% in some 35 minutes, by the way. Again, all standard perks for our times, nothing out of the ordinary.

However, there is one important factor – pricing. With the new EV morphing into a subcompact crossover body style, no one really expects a sub-$30k starting MSRP, right? Another factor is the tariffs – Nissan will produce the new Leaf in Japan and the United Kingdom, making it subject to the 25-percent import tax, which could potentially add thousands of dollars to the starting list price. How on Earth could the brand hope that it will regain its good fortune without an affordable electric vehicle in the United States?

Well, if we are to believe the ailing Japanese automaker, not all things are lost. Nissan introduced us to the bold Re:Nissan plan back in May, and it includes variable and fixed cost reductions, a restructuring of the manufacturing base to refine efficiency, a reduction of the workforce, a revamp in development, and new market and product strategies. Basically, the all-new Nissan Leaf is just the first step, followed by a new generation of the ProPilot autonomous driving technology, as well as ample product introductions.

Those include the arrival of the brand's first plug-in hybrid in North America, a PHEV variant of the Rogue crossover SUV – which is most likely a rebadged Outlander PHEV. Then there's also the crucial new generation of the Nissan Sentra compact sedan – a major introduction now that customers are flocking back to affordable passenger cars because of the CUV prices spiraling out of control.

Next year, they will also introduce the fourth-generation Nissan Rogue, complete with hybrid e-Power technology, and in 2027, they plan to launch a rugged Nissan SUV focused on adventure – and most likely serving as an affordable alternative to models like the upcoming Jeep Recon. So, what do you think?

Driven: 2025 Dacia Bigster Compact SUV Doesn’t Skimp on Features

By: Sergiu Tudose

Have you ever wanted a C-segment SUV for the price of a B-segment SUV? Sure you have. Who hasn’t? To put that into perspective, it would be like paying Hyundai Kona money for a Tucson. That’s the Dacia Bigster for you. Unfortunately, it only sells across the pond, at least for now.

Compared to the Duster, the Bigster (riding on the exact same platform) is longer by 9 inches (227 mm) with a 1.7-inch boost for the wheelbase. It’s also slightly taller (by 2 inches). The width hasn’t increased, however. If you ask me, they should have made it a little wider as well, because it would have helped in several ways, but I realize that would have meant higher production costs.

Even though it features the exact same design language as the Duster, the Bigster does look a little bit different. We’re talking about a lot of subtle differences, but they’re there. I also think the Duster looks better, because the proportions appear more natural, but to each their own. If you need the extra size, you probably won’t lose any sleep over which of the two crossovers is better-looking.

The overall design is modern and rugged. Perhaps a bit too simplistic from certain angles, but the overall aesthetic is pleasing. The Bigster is certainly not the worst-looking SUV in its class.

Now, there are two equally impressive flagship specifications available for the Bigster – they’re called Journey and Extreme. Our test car was the Extreme variant, which also comes with these Copper Brown mirror casings, rubber floor mats, washable upholstery inside, blacked-out accents and 18” wheels with Continental “AllSeasonContact” rubber.

Other noteworthy features include the modular roof rails, LED headlights, keyless entry and a panoramic sunroof. That’s pretty much it as far as what you can see while fiddling around the vehicle.

In terms of measurements, the Bigster is 179.9 inches (4.57 meters) long, 71.3 inches (1.81 meters) wide, and 67.3 inches (1.71 meters) tall. Meanwhile, the wheelbase measures 106.3 inches (2.7 meters). I think this should be big enough for most people/families, and you never really feel as though you’re driving something that’s either too big or too cramped. I still think they should have made it wider, but overall, the length is just right.

Another thing it could have used would have been a power-operated tailgate, but you can always get that as an optional extra for an additional €200 - a very small price to pay for what is basically a must-have option on any family SUV.

Note: this is an abridged version, check out the full article and photo gallery on our site.

Auto Evolution: Things the 2003 E60 and the current-day G60 BMW 5 Series still have in common

By: Sergiu Tudose

BMW’s most controversial 5 Series models, the E60 and now the G60, don’t just share a design philosophy. They share a number: “60”. And maybe that number means more than we thought. These two outliers have similar chassis codes, and it’s been under our noses all this time.

These internal designations, known mostly to enthusiasts, don’t often reveal something deeper. However, what we have in the E60 and the G60 are two 5 Series generations standing twenty years apart. These are the boldest, most controversial and most misunderstood 5 Series models of their eras.

The thing is, history has already spoken as far as the E60 is concerned, and say what you will, but the fifth-generation 5er has aged into a cult favorite, appreciated for its uniqueness.

The G60 could be on a similar trajectory. Purists aren’t too thrilled by it now, but future enthusiasts might be singing a different tune 10-15 years from now. With that in mind, here are a few things the G60 and the once-maligned E60 have in common. Things that nobody seems to be talking about.

One-Off Design Language

The E60 had a standalone design. It was preceded by the conventional and refined-looking E39, and succeeded by the still-conservative F10, which looked like a proper E39 replacement. Bangle’s experiment with flame surfacing, layered body panels, and an unconventional rear end wasn't carried over – it was walked back. Basically, BMW didn’t want to double down on the E60.

Fast-forward two decades to the G60, and the same playbook is being used. This new 5er looks nothing like the elegant G30. And because we more or less know what to expect from the carmaker’s upcoming Neue Klasse models with regards to a new design philosophy, we can safely speculate that the G60 by no means represents the beginning of a new era, but rather a blip before the pendulum swings back again.

Hitting the Reset Button

Most BMW 5 Series generations follow a logical progression. The E34 evolved the E28. The E39 tightened up the E34, and the G30 smoothed out the F10 – the latter then did everything it could to get you to forget about the E60.

Still, it was the E60 that pointed BMW in a whole new direction. Not just via exterior styling but also an avant-garde interior with fancy new tech like the iDrive system. In my eyes, the G60 is doing much of the same. It’s got a forward-thinking design, and a simple, modern interior with large screens.

Backlash Survivors

To say that the E60 was ridiculed when it first came out would be an understatement. People called it “ugly”, they called it “overstyled”. They said it’s not a true BMW. Online forums were riddled with negative feedback. But lo and behold how today the E60 has become a fan favorite, from the M5 all the way down to the entry-level specs. As long as it’s been fitted with the M Sport package, the E60 still looks like “a million bucks”.

As far as I’m concerned, the G60 is repeating that cycle in real time. It too is a little “too much”, right? Maybe not even “a real 5 Series”. Even I said something to the tone of how driving the G60 is almost like driving something that should have been positioned between the 5 Series and the 7 Series. A sort of 5.5 Series (6 Series was already taken).

Like it or not, it’s got you talking, and when you see one rocking the M Sport package on the road, you can’t help but admire its dynamic and futuristic styling. I believe that the G60, like the E60, will stay on people’s minds long after its production run ends.

A Vision of the Future

Say what you will about the E60, but thanks to its iDrive system, the 2003 5 Series became a benchmark for how virtually all premium brands went about designing their infotainment systems going forward in the mid-to-late 2000s. Bangle didn’t just put everything he had into the exterior design. He wanted to make sure the interior was equally modern, if not futuristic – and it worked.

The G60 is kind of the same way. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by a hyper minimalist cockpit with a reasonably large display. I have no idea what they can do to car interiors in 15-20 years to make them even more sci-fi-like, but what else is there except for seats, a steering wheel, and large screens?

I’ll leave you with this. I’ve loved every single generation of the 5 Series that came before the G60, and the E60 might just be my all-time favorite 5er. Something tells me that in the future, I’ll look back on the G60 with a similar appreciation.

Most interesting car renders of the week

By: Mircea Panait

The past week has been rife with sweet renderings, of which Theophilus Chin's mash-up of the 2026 Nissan Leaf and the Audi TT RS definitely stands out. While Nissan hasn't yet confirmed a NISMO version of the third-gen Leaf, said rendering isn't wild because the battery-electric sport utility vehicle is more coupe-SUV than conventional SUV or the five-door hatchback that Nissan gave us through 2025.

Audi TT RS + Nissan Leaf = ?

Avarvarii Automotive Artworks gave us a modern take on the Citroen 2CV, an unofficial rendering that may lead to a series-production car. The Canary Islands-based automotive illustrator was prompted by recent hearsay in regard to a revival of the 2CV. Rumor has it Citroen has been moved by what Renault did with the unashamedly retro 5 E-Tech electric hatchback and the 4 E-Tech electric crossover.

Pixel artist Digimods DESIGN came up with a different kind of revival, namely a new generation of the Infiniti QX30. Heavily inspired by the 2026 facelift of the Infiniti QX60, the rendered crossover is nothing more than wishful thinking because Nissan isn't planning any replacements for the poor-selling QX30 and the hatchback-bodied Q30.

Heavily inspired by camouflaged prototypes of the 2026 Mazda CX-5, the folks at Top Electric SUV masterfully rendered the forthcoming crossover. To be revealed in the latter part of 2026, the next generation of the compact CX-5 will offer at least one hybrid powertrain with in-house componentry rather than Toyota-sourced hybrid bits. 

Top Electric SUV also rendered the next-gen X5 using spy photos of camouflaged prototypes, but in stark contrast to the CX-5, said prototypes still feature makeshift headlights and taillights. Even so, the final design of the G65 borrows many of the stylistic motifs introduced by the Vision Neue Klasse and Vision Neue Klasse X concept vehicles.

The best three-row electric SUVs you can buy in 2025

By: Cristian Agatie

Seven-seat SUVs are important for EV buyers in the US, probably more than any other market. However, the offer in the EV segment is still limited, with only a few carmakers launching three-row electric SUVs in the past year. At the same time, veteran models haven't been improved to meet customers' expectations.

Most notably, the Tesla Model X still falls short of being a true family vehicle, with a cramped third row despite being quite large on the outside. Tesla recently offered a new refresh and promised more cabin space, but this hasn't changed the fact that the Model X remains one of the least optimized EVs in terms of cabin space utilization.

Hyundai Ioniq 9 interior

Tesla is also preparing to launch another 7-seat Model Y variant, which might give the seven-seater EV segment a well-deserved boost. The previous generation Model Y wasn't very popular as a three-row SUV, which is understandable given its compact footprint. Tesla has been rumored to offer a longer wheelbase variant for the refreshed Model Y, something Chinese customers have asked for years. So far, we still don't know if the 7-seat Model Y launching in the US is an LWB model.

There are some notable 7-seater additions from Lucid, Cadillac, and Hyundai compared to last year, but there's still room for more models. Hopefully, more carmakers will join the fray and provide more diversity. Until then, if you need an electric vehicle with more than five seats, your best bet is to choose one of our recommendations. But hurry because the EV tax credit will be phased out rather soon.

Google bringing eco-friendly routes to Maps (and a couple of bugs)

By: Bogdan Popa

It's been a mostly quiet week in the tech space, as Apple's and Google's annual events are now over. 

However, this doesn't mean users have stopped dissecting the latest software releases by these companies. A patent we discovered this week suggests that Apple is looking for a new way to show traffic conditions in Apple Maps. The iPhone maker wants to show dotted lines next to the active route, and as we said (and hoped), Google should copy this idea for Google Maps. 

The search giant is also busy improving its Maps. A major update announced this week includes the global availability of eco-friendly routes, AI-suggested European routes for multiple transportation modes, and cycling navigation in more countries. 

Unfortunately, this week made no exception from a bug perspective, and users continue struggling with broken car behavior. Android Auto users have discovered that two key options (the settings button and games) are unavailable even when parked. 

CarPlay users ended up struggling with Waze, as the application started crashing after the latest iPhone update. It turns out the Google-owned app doesn't play nice with the most recent iOS version, so you might want to hold off installing this update if you haven't installed it yet.

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