Nissan Note Reviews

Overnight Nissan revealed the new, Y63-generation version of its high-performance Patrol Nismo ahead of an imminent launch in the Middle East.

Car industry observers of a certain age will recall a ‘12/12’ new vehicle warranty being the norm in Australia through the 1970s and well into the ‘80s. And yes, you guessed correctly, that catchy tag refers to a 12 month/12,000km term. How far we’ve come.

The fourth-generation Nissan Leaf has been detailed, with an Australian arrival already confirmed and a new SUV-style body shape for the car that put Nissan at the forefront of electric cars more than a decade ago.The 2026 Nissan Leaf will come to Australia in the 2026 Japanese fiscal year, or between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.When it arrives, it will boast more than 600km in range thanks to a large battery, a respectable 160kW/355Nm power and torque output and a striking departure in styling from the Leaf hatchback we know.Those range and power figures are for the longer-range 75kWh battery variant, with a smaller 52kWh battery version set to join it.The shorter-ranged Leaf is yet to be rated for range, though even the 600km+ figure is estimated for Japan and Europe, so could change before its launch.Depending on the market, the size of the new Leaf varies, but the Japanese version will be 4360mm long, 1810mm wide and 1550mm tall with a 2690mm wheelbase, putting it roughly in the same playing field as the new Kia EV3.An estimated drag coefficient of 0.26Cd goes some way to explaining its impressive range and slippery smooth design, but even with the sloping rear the Leaf can hold 420L in its boot, according to Nissan.It’s a big step up for tech over the current Nissan Leaf e+ and its 385km WLTP range, although outputs remain pretty similar - the e+ coming in at 160kW/340Nm.The Leaf’s DC fast charging is now 150kW, with Nissan saying it can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in “as little as 35 minutes”.Inside, the new Leaf gets a big redo, doing away with the dated interior and bringing in a pair of large screens, either dual 12.3-inch or dual 14.3-inch units depending on the grade.Other niceties include a 10-speaker Bose sound system, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but some shortcut menus and physical controls remain for ease of use.More details for the new Leaf will be confirmed for each market closer to their launch dates, with the first to be North America.The original Leaf started production in 2010 but only arrived in Australia in mid-2012. The second-gen was an overhauled version of the first and it landed here in mid-2019. For a time the Leaf was the world's best-selling EV until it was toppled by the Tesla Model 3.

The Premcar-boosted Nissan Patrol Warrior was an impressive 4WD wagon from its first appearance a few years back.Well, now the entire 2025 Patrol range - including the Ti-based Warrior - has undergone an update.Sure, the changes don't yield any performance gains and they are cabin-based but they do include a new bigger touchscreen multimedia system, wireless charging and an off-road monitor.

It now seems inevitable that one of world’s longest-running family SUV badges may soon be retired in Australia. With low sales and high pricing pressures due to unfavourable exchange rates and ongoing geo-political uncertainties, the Nissan Pathfinder is facing an uncertain future, as it continues to stumble against popular alternatives in the large, seven-seater SUV segment like the Ford Everest,

It’s EOFY time again!

Nissan is still wading through its financial turmoil, but is reportedly still working on a new GT-R to replace the R35-generation model that finished production last year.As reported by Auto Express, this new GT-R will form part of a revitalised Nismo high-performance car line-up.The Japanese carmaker is reportedly focusing on Nismo, as well as Patrol and Juke as three key nameplates to focus rebuilding its brand around.“I see a future for Nismo. It’s very clear,” said Nissan AMIEO Region Vice President Marketing & Mobility, Arnaud Carpentier to Auto Express.“We will put this in the centre of the brand… We have Nismo, Patrol and Juke.“Those strong nameplates for the brand are the equity. This is how we thrill our customers, so it will for sure come.”Mr Carpentier didn’t detail exactly what the new Nismo line-up will look like, but did confirm a new GT-R is part of the plans.“There are people working on this,” said Mr Carpentier to Auto Express.“When, how, honestly, this we don’t know. But today, we don’t just need to make a sports car, but to do one with a powertrain that we foresee in the coming years.“If it is electric or electrified, it needs to remain a sports car.“ if you end up with the same performance as an EV SUV, this is an issue... We need to reinvent the notion of a sports car.”At this stage it’s unclear whether the R36-generation GT-R will be fully electric.In 2023 the Japanese carmaker revealed the wild Hyper Force concept which previewed an all-electric GT-R.It was powered by a dual-motor setup producing over 1000kW of power. These electric motors were fed by a solid-state battery pack.Previous reports indicated that this new GT-R will be released during 2028 alongside when Nissan planned to produce solid-state batteries.Given the financial turmoil, it’s now unclear if this timeframe is off.

Nissan has added a return of the Xterra to the top of its future-product wish list, with one of the brand's most senior executives pushing for a "functional and affordable" ute-based SUV that would take on the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.In music to the ears of those who want a return to stripped-back motoring, the chairman of Nissan Americas, Christian Meunier, said he recognised buyers want "a return to authenticity and simplicity, not having all the gizmos and gadgets" in a ute-based SUV.Asked what white space Nissan has in its American lineup, the executive told Automotive News that "if I could bring a car tomorrow, it would be the Xterra", referencing the Navara-based SUV that was discontinued in 2015 before being reborn in the Middle East in 2021."This is a white space because many competitors target the higher end of the adventure market. People desire a sense of freedom," he said."There‘s a return to authenticity and simplicity, not having all the gizmos and gadgets. People want a comfortable, functional and affordable vehicle."The new Nissan Navara launches in Australia this year, and while the brand locally hasn't confirmed an SUV version of its dual-cab ute, the timing sometime within this generation would fit.We do know that Nissan is promising the new Navara will be a "very exciting truck", and that the brand is even considering introducing a hardcore NISMO variant to take the fight to the Ford Ranger Raptor.While the plug-in hybrid Frontier Pro, recently revealed in Shanghai, makes a sharp looking SUV, as seen this story's lead image, it's actually the Navara due this year that would most lend itself to that promise of "simplicity".That's because Nissan has pledged to stick with diesel, rather than electrification, for the earliest parts of that model's lifespan."We need to make sure that if we electrify, how we electrify. I think it will be a two-step approach, first with a PHEV solution, then later on with EV. That will be the two-step approach. That's what we're looking at, but first it will be with a diesel approach," Nissan's Chairperson of the AMEIO Region, Guillaume Cartier, has told CarsGuide.Interestingly, Nissan USA re-trademarked the Xterra name in December last year, paving the way for the model's return in that market. Sadly, no such trademark as appeared in Australia yet.

Now in its 15th year since production commenced, the Y62 Patrol still has a story to tell, gaining modern multimedia tech and improved safety as part of a MY25 update. It's also likely the last change before the all-new Y63 arrives, and also the V8 petrol's last hurrah. With all that in mind, the changes improve a large, powerful, spacious and very off-road capable 4WD family wagon.

Nissan has officially revealed its new, sixth-generation Micra ahead of its launch in European markets later this year.