The Nissan Juke electric vehicle (EV) will use the same platform as the new-generation electric Nissan Leaf hatch – a move that will see it grow in size but also help its final showroom price in its battle with the Toyota C-HR EV due here in 2027.
According to Automotive News Europe, the automaker confirmed the Juke EV will share its CMF-EV architecture with the new third-generation Leaf, saving Nissan – struggling after significant sales slumps in China and the United States, the world’s two largest car markets – millions in development costs.
Nissan Europe’s engineering director, Guy Reid, confirmed Juke EV production is set to start in late 2026 at the same Sunderland, United Kingdom plant where the Leaf (and Australian petrol Juke) is made, with the two models sharing underpinnings and key components to reduce development costs.
The Leaf has been confirmed for Australian showrooms around March or April 2026, while the Juke EV has not been officially announced for the local line-up.
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As well as being cheaper to develop, the arrangement means the Juke will grow compared to the current internal combustion engine Juke, which sits on a different platform.
Automotive News Europe reports the Juke will use the same liquid-cooled battery box as the new Leaf, but Mr Reid said the Juke EV’s battery packs will be smaller.
The Leaf has been announced with 52kWh and larger 75kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries with a claimed WLTP range of up to 604km, which also bring CCS charging capability.
Despite the shared components, Nissan Europe’s design boss, Giovanny Arroba, told Automotive News Europe the Juke will have “a different, more divisive personality” compared to the Leaf.
Nissan is yet to reveal further details of the Juke EV, which is set to land in Australia in 2027 alongside the first electric Toyota C-HR SUV.
Toyota Australia has confirmed the C-HR will use a 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery and front-mounted 165kW/269Nm electric motor, with overseas models offering up to 609km of range from a single charge.
Nissan launched the Ariya large electric SUV in Australia in 2025, its second EV model after the Leaf, introduced here in 2012.
An electric Nissan Micra hatch, smaller than the Leaf, was also unveiled but has not been locked in for Australia, with Nissan Oceanian boss Andrew Humberstone telling CarExpert it was “on the radar”.
The Juke remains offered in petrol-only form here, with hybrid models sold overseas since 2022 not confirmed for the local lineup.