Nissan Ariya EV 2023: review

The Nissan Ariya EV is, in all actuality, the newest EV in the Nissan portfolio. The Ariya is 4.9 inches longer, 4.3 inches wider, and has a 3-inch bigger wheelbase than the Nissan Leaf EV. Its dimensions are 182.9 inches long by 74.8 inches wide, and it sits on a 109.3-inch wheelbase. But despite the Ariya’s EV powertrain packing and design advances, its usable cabin seems much more spacious than the figures indicate. It competes with vehicles like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Volkswagen ID.4 and falls right in the middle of the growing small hatchback/SUV EV market.

Customers appear to be focusing on models with a 300-mile range—plus or minus—as the standard when comparing prices, even though the Ariya lineup extends to the $61,498 Platinum all-wheel-drive model and begins with the $44,485 Engage trim with a standard 65 kWh battery and a claimed 217 miles of range. It should be noted that only front-wheel drive variants will be available for first orders when the Ariya goes on sale in late autumn of 2022. It was appropriate that we drove a Premier trim with the 87 kWh extended range battery, which powers the front wheels with a single motor rated at 304 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque. It is priced at $55,985 (destination cost included) and has a stated range of 289 miles.

A cursory examination of the competitors shows several distinct ranges versus pricing tactics. For example, a Ford Mach-E vehicle with the same specs but a single 276-hp engine begins at $56,275 and has a range of just 247 miles. (Selecting the longer-lasting 306 Mach-E battery costs $8,600 more.) The anticipated capacity of the rear-wheel drive Volkswagen ID.4 Pro, which can go 280 miles, is $42,525; the content of the Ioniq 5 SE, which can go 303 miles, is $45,295. (The Ioniq 5 basic model, which is only available in the 220-mile variant, costs $41,245) The main rivals’ two-wheel drive models are rear-wheel drive, whereas the Ariya’s front-wheel drive setup makes it stand out. Furthermore, the Ariya is built in Japan, unlike the Mustang and the 2023 VW ID.4, which might nullify or eliminate any possible federal tax benefits based on the new law. It’s unclear whether the Ariya will be produced in the United States.

All options available to our top-tier Premier trim Ariya were complete, except AWD. A panoramic sunroof, Pro Pilot Assist 2.0 (“Level 2+” driving aid), power seats, a power liftgate, a motorized adjustable center console, 19-inch alloy wheels, and more are on the list of features. A large dashboard top of extremely low-quality plast is standard for all trims. It is positioned above an exquisitely simple instrument panel of two panels arranged horizontally, measuring 12.3 inches wide. Both can be customized, with the second one handling infotainment and navigation and the instrument panel screen showing important driving data, including speed and charge status for the Pro Pilot. It perfectly illustrates how simple, straightforward functionality doesn’t have to be uninspired or boring.

The Ariya meets all of the electric vehicle benchmarks while driving: even on the highway, the smooth ride and whisper-quiet ride is enhanced by the torque surge, which makes merging safe and pleasurable. When activated, Nissan’s Pro Pilot Assist operates deftly, maintaining a firm hand on the wheel while alerting the driver to impending traffic events and possible preventative measures. Aside from its attractive exterior, the Ariya’s best feature is its capacity to serve as a practical small SUV that is also an electric car.

Performance:Nissan Ariya EV

With either an extended-range 87 kWh battery combined with a 238-horsepower motor or a 63 kWh battery paired with a 214-horsepower electric engine, the Ariya is available with front or all-wheel drive. We discovered that the 87 kWh battery, more powerful motor, and front-wheel drive of our Premiere trim provided more than enough acceleration for everyday driving. The sheer torque of the step-off is mind-blowing, and Nissan estimates that, depending on the drivetrain, zero to sixty times will take between 4.8 and 7.2 seconds. Like many EVs, this one’s hushed interior and absence of engine noise make the feeling of speed seem distinctive.

The Ariya has very neutral handling because of its almost equal weight distribution and the battery pack’s low center of gravity. Under severe pressure, the front would naturally push wide, but even a quick lane change made at high speed to avoid road debris was completed without any fuss.

Power Consumption, Charging, and Range:

Nissan maintains their range estimates of 216 miles for the basic Engage model’s regular battery and 289 miles for versions with extended range. (The long-range expert, the Venture+, has a 304-mile range.) After 73.9 miles of mixed driving, our extended-range front-wheel drive vehicle indicated 201 miles left, with the battery holding 73% of its capacity. Based on basic calculations, we were on track to reach around 275 to 300 miles.

Every model has a standard 120V-240V portable charge cable, except the Venture+, which has a 120V cable. All models also contain a 7.2-kW onboard charger for 110-volt home charging and 130-kW DC rapid charging.

With a 130-kWh fast charger, the battery can be fully charged in 40 minutes (35 minutes for the smaller battery) and 90 minutes (65 minutes for the smaller battery) when connected to a 50-kWh charger. Like a standard 240V household setup, level 2 charging is less optimistic; Nissan forecasts that a smaller battery will take 14 hours (or 10.5 hours) to get from 0% to 100%. Although it may seem complicated, most users seldom let the battery drop below 25% and can anticipate a full overnight recharge at home.

Driver assistance and safety:

The 2023 Nissan Ariya’s lack of testing by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) detracts from our ratings. We do anticipate testing findings sometime around 2023, however. There are several active safety measures included with the Ariya. Ten airbags for both front and rear passengers, automated rear braking, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, intelligent cruise control with distance management, rear cross traffic, automatic rear braking, traffic sign recognition, and more are all standard features.

Pro Pilot Assist 2.0 is, of course, the diamond in the crown. It operates in three modes: White, which is the standard radar cruise control with following distance control and all safety features in place; Green, which incorporates gentle steering assist for changing lanes; and Blue, which offers actual hands-off operation as long as certain conditions are met (weather concerns, eyes forward, and 200,000 miles of mapped highways, among others). It uses eight cameras, twelve sensors, five radar streams, and a native mapping and navigation system. When hands are placed back on the wheel, it may also suggest lane changes and provide light steering assistance; these functions are not done automatically by it. While it’s not entirely up to the level of the General Motors Super Cruise system, we found it to be accurate, consistent, and devoid of false alarms compared to similar systems.

Coziness & Space: Nissan Ariya EV

The superb zero-gravity sitting of the manufacturer is reinterpreted in a way that gives the Ariya an immediate comfort boost. They have a spacious floor, good hip and shoulder space, and a pleasing balance of support and cushioning. An electric motor drives the console forward and backward, contributing to the open, “floating” impression of the cabin. Should a constraint exist, it would be headroom; drivers taller than six feet may find their heads grazing the panoramic sunroof’s frame.

Maximum back seat space available in the Ariya is 37 inches, whereas it is 39.4 inches in the Ioniq 5, 38.1 inches in the Mustang Mach-E, and 37.6 inches in the ID.4. In practical usage, the numbers are less scary, and features like USB ports and back HVAC vents help prevent passenger mutiny.

Infotainment: Nissan Ariya EV

Every Ariya has two 12.3-inch screens that allow users to access and see almost every feature in the car. The standard steering wheel controls operate the infotainment system and the driving info display. It is possible to integrate specialized infotainment data with navigation or Pro Pilot data on the diver’s screen via configurable choices, so owners should spend some time getting acquainted with the displays and customize them to their preferences. Along with navigation, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio (subscription needed), and a six-speaker audio system, standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A conventional 12V power outlet is located in the front, while two USB ports—one regular and one USB-C—are in the front and two in the rear.

The steering wheel controls are aided by a sleek flip toggle switch on the central dash that may help guide infotainment functions, but some users will undoubtedly lament the absence of tactile controls.

Storage & Cargo Space:

The Ariya has a unique adjustable center console and a sizable electrically powered drawer from under the dash’s center. It’s a handy catch-all that blends in with the cabin’s simple style, but we wish it had a manual release in case the engine breaks down. Two cupholders are on the console behind a retracted louvered panel, and the doors include a few low-profile pockets. Again, however, there isn’t much evident storage to detract from the minimalist aesthetic.

When folded, the cargo area is 59.7 cubes and 22.8 cubic feet behind the second row. The Mustang Mach-E provides 29.7 and 59.7, while the Ioniq 5 gives 27.2 and 59.3. In all criteria, the ID.4 comes first with 30.3 and 64.2 cubic feet, respectively.

Design:Nissan Ariya EV

You’ll appreciate the Ariya if you like Nissan’s latest design approach. Nissan describes it as “Timeless Japanese Futurism,” a fusion of force and simplicity. As the sun symbolizes the start of a new day, the color concept known as Akatsuki is claimed to be reflected in the copper with black accent finish on the model we drove. We argue it seems to be a clear progression of the present Nissan design, with just enough distinctive features—especially in the fascia—to identify it as an electric vehicle.

A similar idea runs through the interior, sometimes quirky and original but never flashy or excessive. We did drive pre-production cars, however, and the quality of the plastics, especially in the door panels and dash top, might be better. The interior fit was also a touch slack in several places.

Is the 2023 Nissan Ariya Worth it?

Although a little complicated, the Ariya lineup is as follows: Engage ($44,485; AWD $48,485; AWD extended range $52,485), Venture+ ($48,485 FWD), Evolve+ ($51,490; AWD $55,485), Empower+ ($54,985 FWD only), Premiere $55,985 FWD only, and Platinum ($61,485 AWD only). The Engage trim is the only one that offers the “standard” range battery.

With one exception, if we were writing the cheque, we would choose the Evolve+ FWD. At $51,590, it comes with the motorized center console, wireless device charging, power sunroof, and power-adjustable seats—basically, everything on the Premier save the custom wheels. However, because the Empower+ FWD comes with the superior Pro Pilot Level 2 driver assistance system, we would gladly pay the additional $3,500 to upgrade if we planned to do a lot of highway driving. (A $1,295 destination charge is included in all pricing.)

Regrettably, the pandemic and problems with the supply chain caused a delay in Ariya’s debut. Only front-wheel drive vehicles are presently available for purchase.

How Much Does Nissan Ariya Insurance Cost in 2023?

Since Ariya is so new, we do not have reliable insurance information. On the other hand, we know that the average yearly cost of a Nissan Leaf for a typical 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record is around $2,165, which applies to all 50 states. The VW ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5, $2,250, and Ford Mach-E Select are priced at $2,150, $2,250, and $2,244, respectively.

Nissan Ariya Generations

First Generation
2023 to Present

The Nissan Leaf, the company’s first mass-market EV, is spiritually descended from the Nissan Ariya. The epidemic and problems with the supply chain caused Ariya’s release to be delayed; it is now only available for restricted orders. With its EV-specific highlights and classic Nissan-style elements, the Ariya has an estimated range of 304 miles.

Verdict

The Nissan Ariya follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Leaf. It uses cutting-edge technology, but it does so practically and efficiently for passengers to utilize rather than making grand societal pronouncements. Fortunately, it signifies Nissan’s switch to the much more widely used CCS (Combined Charging System) from the outdated CHAdeMO charging port used with the Leaf. Nissan’s Pro Park Assist makes parking in even the most congested metropolitan areas quiet, comfortable, and simple. Regretfully, the Ariya is currently only produced in Japan, which means it isn’t eligible for several federal and state tax breaks mentioned in the most recent Inflation Reduction Act.