by Thanos Pappas
- Facelifted Nissan Sakura adopts a redesigned grille and bumper.
- It also gains a new color and an extra cup holder inside the cabin.
- There are no changes to the 63 hp e-motor and 20 kWh battery.
Update: After a short teaser run, Nissan has now fully revealed the model in Japan, with fresh images and additional details added below.
Nissan’s Sakura isn’t broken, but it is getting older. Japan’s best-selling EV has now been given a light facelift to keep it competitive in the kei segment, just as a high-profile challenger from China, BYD, enters the scene. The tiny electric car has been around since 2022, when it emerged as the production version of Nissan’s IMk concept from three years prior.
Fresh Face And Floral Hues
The most noticeable change is up front, where a redesigned fascia introduces a body-colored grille section that mimics the Nissan Leaf. It’s paired with a revised bumper that brings sharper angles and more pronounced vertical elements along the sides. The LED headlights carry over unchanged, as does the sheet metal along the profile and the back.
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Interestingly, these updates are only effective to the X and G grades, with the entry-level S retaining the old design.
The color palette gains a new shade called “Minamono Sakura”, inspired by cherry blossoms floating on water. This is combined with copper accents and a Sterling Silver roof creating an unusual tri-color finish for the flagship Sakura G.
Key-Sized Improvements Inside
The interior looks familiar, but Nissan has introduced several functional upgrades. The drive mode switch has been moved to a more ergonomic position, and the passenger side now includes an additional cup holder.
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Designers didn’t seem to bother changing the 7-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch infotainment, but they did relocate the USB Type-C ports lower in the center console.
For the mid-range X trim, Nissan has moved several popular options to the standard equipment list, including the Intelligent Around View Monitor, heated front seats, and a steering wheel heater. The EV also gains auto lock and unlock functions, a rear seat reminder, a locking mechanism for the charging port, and an optional 1500W AC power outlet.
Mechanically, the Sakura remains powered by a single electric motor producing 63 hp (47 kW / 64 PS) and 195 Nm (144 lb-ft) of torque. The carry-over 20 kWh lithium-ion battery provides a range of up to 180 km (112 miles) under the WLTC cycle.
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The facelifted kei car is available to order in Japan, with the first deliveries expected this summer. Pricing ranges from ¥2,448,600 ($15,400) for the base X trim to ¥2,998,600 ($18,900) for the flagship G. If you take into consideration Japan’s current clean energy subsidies of ¥580,000 ($3,650), the starting price drops to approximately ¥1,870,000 ($11,800).
Nissan says the model has been Japan’s best-selling EV for four consecutive years, recording 14,093 sales in 2025. Competition comes from familiar domestic rivals, including the Mitsubishi eK X EV twin, the Honda N-One e: and N-Van e:, as well as the upcoming BYD Racco.
