Nissan Readies Electric Crossover

Nissan Motor Co. is developing an all-electric small crossover vehicle that the company plans to launch in mid-2021, Automotive News reports.

The carmaker gave U.S. dealers a sneak peek of the vehicle at a meeting last month. Attendees described the crossover as a five-seater that has the exterior dimensions of a Rogue compact crossover and the interior capacity of the midsize Murano.

The new crossover is expected to have a driving range of about 300 miles per charge. Zero to 60 mph acceleration is targeted to be less than five seconds.

Other goodies on the model previewed to dealers include a digital dashboard and an updated version of Nissan’s ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system.

Nissan was one of the first carmakers to launch an EV with the Leaf hatchback in 2010. But, despite several recent concepts (such as the IMQ pictured), the company has been slow to add a second EV in the U.S.

The new model would be one of eight EVs and plug-in hybrids that Nissan plans to launch globally in coming years. This could include electrified versions of the second-generation Juke crossover due early 2020. Last year, the carmaker added an all-electric version of the Leaf-based Sylphy compact car in China.