Nissan, a pioneer in the electric vehicle (EV) market with the introduction of the Leaf in 2011, has released its highly anticipated second EV, the Ariya. This all-electric SUV enters a competitive market, promising a blend of Nissan’s EV expertise with modern SUV practicality. The Ariya aims to deliver a compelling package with its desirable small-SUV size, elevated driving position, and generous cargo space. Initial impressions highlight it as quick, quiet, and spacious, boasting a respectable driving range. However, beyond its sleek, minimalist interior, questions arise about whether the Ariya truly pushes the boundaries of EV innovation. This Nissan Ariya Review delves into the details to assess if it lives up to the hype in the increasingly crowded electric SUV segment.
Performance and Powertrain of the Nissan Ariya
The Nissan Ariya Platinum+ e-4ORCE, the model we rigorously tested, showcases a potent 389 horsepower output from its dual electric motors, creating an exhilarating driving experience. The power delivery is remarkably smooth and refined, avoiding the abruptness sometimes associated with electric vehicles. This nuanced acceleration makes gentle driving effortless, while still providing instant, robust power when needed for confident overtaking or merging. The all-wheel-drive system, branded as “e-4ORCE” by Nissan, effectively distributes torque across all four wheels, minimizing wheelspin and maximizing traction. Pushing the accelerator reveals the Ariya’s impressive acceleration, achieving 0 to 60 mph in a swift 5.4 seconds – a competitive figure within its class of electric SUVs.
Alt text: Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system highlighted, demonstrating power distribution for enhanced performance and control.
Available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations, and with two battery size options, the Ariya caters to diverse driving needs and range preferences. The “plus” designation indicates the larger battery pack, prioritizing extended driving range, while “e-4ORCE” signifies the all-wheel-drive variant. Despite its substantial power and front-wheel-drive base, the Ariya maintains excellent torque balance between the front and rear axles. Even during aggressive acceleration, the traction control system adeptly manages power delivery, preventing excessive front wheelspin. The single-motor, front-wheel-drive Ariya, producing 238 horsepower, offers a more conventional driving feel, sacrificing some of the blistering acceleration characteristic of high-performance EVs for a more accessible driving experience.
Our tests with the larger 87-kWh battery variant yielded a commendable 253 miles of range in a 70-mph highway test. However, the Ariya’s 7.2-kW onboard charger falls short compared to many competitors offering 9.6 to 11 kW, resulting in approximately 20 miles of range gained per hour of home charging, versus the 35 miles or more achieved by some rival EVs. This slower charging rate also limits the benefits of higher-powered home charging setups exceeding 30 amps. While its 130-kW maximum DC fast-charging acceptance rate trails behind Hyundai and Kia EVs, the Ariya demonstrated efficient charging during testing. A 30-minute session at an Electrify America station boosted the battery from 18% to 71% state-of-charge, increasing the estimated driving range from 53 to 211 miles, achieving a peak charging rate of 115 kW.
Alt text: Nissan Ariya electric SUV charging at a public Electrify America fast charging station, showcasing its capability for rapid battery replenishment.
A notable frustration arose with the charging cable unplugging process. Disengaging the coupler can become unnecessarily complicated when the car’s door locks become desynchronized with the cable lock. Often, resolving this requires re-locking and then unlocking the vehicle to release the charging cable, an inconvenient step that detracts from the otherwise seamless EV ownership experience.
Handling Dynamics of the Nissan Ariya
The Nissan Ariya delivers competent handling overall, with steering that responds naturally to inputs and a chassis that reacts promptly to accelerator adjustments. However, it lacks the agile and direct feel found in some rear-wheel-drive-based EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, or Kia EV6. Cornering in the Ariya reveals a sensation of height and a slight reluctance to lean into turns. The steering, while precise, exhibits an artificial feel, and body roll becomes pronounced when pushing the vehicle harder through corners. This translates to a less engaging driving experience compared to EVs designed for spirited driving on winding roads.
Alt text: Nissan Ariya electric SUV navigating a corner on a scenic road, illustrating its handling capabilities and body roll during turns.
In emergency maneuvers, the Ariya proved competent but not exceptional, evidenced by its mid-range performance in avoidance tests. The steering provides limited feedback, diminishing driver confidence during quick directional changes. At its handling limits, the Ariya tends to understeer, where the front tires lose grip, resulting in a predictable but less dynamic response. While understeer is generally safer for most drivers than oversteer (rear-end fishtailing), it detracts from the sporty handling characteristics some drivers seek in an EV.
On a closed twisty road course, the Ariya exhibited adequate cornering grip and a responsive chassis. However, body roll becomes noticeable under aggressive driving, and the steering provides minimal communication about tire grip levels. The chassis responds well to throttle adjustments, allowing drivers to mitigate understeer by easing off the accelerator.
Ride Comfort and NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness)
Ride comfort in the Ariya is compromised by a suspension that feels overly firm when encountering even moderate road imperfections. Transverse ruts and highway expansion joints are transmitted into the cabin with noticeable jolts, creating a bouncy and somewhat unrefined ride quality. Rough road surfaces induce noticeable impacts within the cabin, partly attributed to the tested model’s 20-inch wheel and tire combination. Models equipped with the standard 19-inch wheels are likely to offer a slightly more compliant ride. While not overtly harsh, the Ariya’s ride comfort falls short of the more absorbent and comfortable experiences offered by many competitors in its class.
Alt text: Nissan Ariya electric SUV driving on a textured road surface, highlighting the vehicle’s ride quality and suspension response to road imperfections.
Electric vehicles are generally quieter than internal combustion engine cars, and the Ariya is no exception, benefiting from the inherently silent nature of its electric motors. However, it is not as hushed as some EVs on the market. While motor whine is minimal, wind and road noise are more pronounced at highway speeds compared to many EVs, along with noticeable tire and road noise on secondary roads. Consequently, while quieter than many gasoline-powered vehicles, some gas models and numerous EVs offer a more serene cabin environment than the Ariya.
Braking Performance and e-Step System
The Nissan Ariya demonstrates excellent braking performance in emergency situations, achieving competitive stopping distances on both dry and wet surfaces. From 60 mph, it stopped in just 130 feet on dry pavement, placing it among the shortest-stopping EVs in its segment, closely matching or outperforming competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Volkswagen ID.4, Subaru Solterra, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Wet braking distances were equally impressive, requiring only 138 feet to stop from 60 mph, again on par with the best in class.
Alt text: Nissan Ariya performing a braking test on a track, showcasing its stopping power and short braking distance.
Despite its strong track performance, the brake pedal feel in everyday driving is less refined. The pedal exhibits excessive travel and a spongy sensation, providing minimal feedback initially. At low speeds, the brakes can be grabby, making smooth stops challenging. Nissan’s “e-Step” regenerative braking mode, designed to aggressively slow the vehicle and recuperate energy, is also a point of contention. When activated, releasing the accelerator pedal causes the brake pedal to move towards the floor autonomously, initiating regenerative braking. However, unlike true one-pedal driving systems in other EVs, e-Step does not bring the Ariya to a complete stop, necessitating the use of the brake pedal. This system creates a disconcerting sensation of the pedal not being where expected, and the pedal feel itself becomes stiff and brick-like when manually braking. An alternative “B” mode offers increased regenerative braking compared to standard Drive mode, but it falls short of the more aggressive e-Step setting.
Driver Assistance and Safety Technology
The Ariya comes standard with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane centering assistance (LCA), lane departure warning (LDW), and lane keeping assistance (LKA). Higher trims like the Empower+ and Platinum+ feature ProPILOT Assist 2.0, Nissan’s advanced active driving assistance system. ProPILOT Assist 2.0 enables hands-free driving on designated highways, incorporating features like automatic lane changing. However, the system lacks clear explanations of its functionalities within the driver’s instrument cluster or infotainment display. Lower trims are equipped with ProPILOT Assist with Navi-Link, a less advanced version. ProPILOT Assist 2.0 includes a complimentary three-year subscription for HD map data updates, after which a subscription fee applies.
Alt text: Nissan Ariya utilizing ProPILOT Assist 2.0 for hands-free driving on a highway, demonstrating its advanced driver assistance capabilities.
The LDW system alerts drivers of lane departures via visual warnings and steering wheel vibrations. Some testers found the vibration intensity too subtle, easily mistaken for road surface changes, and unfortunately, it is not adjustable. The LKA system, designed to steer the Ariya back into its lane, is linked to LDW and cannot be activated independently. Both systems require manual activation via the ProPILOT Assist button upon each vehicle restart. The effectiveness of LDW and LKA is limited by late warnings and interventions, often activating after the vehicle has already begun to depart its lane. LKA provides a single steering nudge and braking attempt to correct lane drift, but it can disengage even in gentle curves, failing to maintain lane position effectively. Straight-line performance is more reliable.
The ACC system smoothly adjusts speed to maintain a set following distance in traffic. However, it exhibits a lag in resuming the set speed after a slower vehicle moves out of the lane. The closest following distance setting may be perceived as too wide, potentially inviting lane cutting, while the furthest setting provides a more comfortable stopping margin. The LCA system, integrated within ProPILOT Assist 2.0 and exclusively usable with ACC, provides smooth steering assistance to maintain lane centering in gentle curves. Sharper curves can overwhelm the system, causing it to drift wide and trigger LKA intervention. Driver collaboration is supported, allowing manual steering inputs without immediate system disengagement, although excessive or abrupt inputs can trigger “standby” mode. False alarms for hands-on-wheel detection were noted, even with hands present, requiring more steering wheel input than typical systems to dismiss warnings.
ProPILOT Assist 2.0’s hands-free driving capability relies on a driver monitoring camera to ensure driver attentiveness. Prolonged inattention triggers escalating warnings and eventual system deactivation. Unlike some competitors, the driver monitoring camera can be disabled in settings, even with ACC and LCA active, although hands-free mode is disabled without the camera. When active, the driver monitoring system accurately detects driver inattentiveness and provides timely warnings. The “Lane change assistance” feature, part of ProPILOT Assist 2.0, can automatically initiate lane changes to overtake slower vehicles when prompted by the driver via a button press or turn signal activation, executing lane changes smoothly while requiring hands-on steering.
Headlight Performance and Visibility
The Ariya’s standard LED headlights were rated “very good” overall, delivering performance among the best tested. The LED system provides high intensity, bright white light. Low beams received a “very good” rating for illumination distance straight ahead, exceeding most low-beam systems and providing ample visibility at speeds up to 60 mph. Side visibility was also rated “very good,” exceeding even typical LED system performance, enhancing pedestrian and wildlife detection and cornering visibility. High beams also performed “very good” in illuminating the road ahead, offering typical seeing distances for well-performing systems. The standard automatic high beam system, “High Beam Assist,” effectively and automatically manages high beam activation based on traffic and conditions.
Towing and Off-Road Capabilities
The Nissan Ariya offers a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped, less than some EV competitors like the Volkswagen ID.4, Kia EV6, and Hyundai Ioniq 5. However, it exceeds others like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Subaru Solterra, and Toyota bZ4X, which are not rated for towing. Despite its available all-wheel drive, the Ariya is not designed for serious off-road driving, suitable only for occasional use on maintained dirt or gravel roads.
Interior Comfort and Convenience
Interior Fit and Finish
The Ariya Platinum+ trim level exhibits a cabin that aligns with its premium price point, showcasing quality materials and a near-luxury ambiance. The expansive display screen spanning the dashboard and the matte-finish wood trim create an immediate visual impact. Large swaths of soft, padded suede on the doors and dashboard elevate the interior’s luxurious feel. Features like the power-operated, felt-lined glove compartment and backlit LED door strips contribute to a sophisticated atmosphere. Most controls, including steering wheel buttons and stalks, feel solid and well-damped.
Alt text: Nissan Ariya premium interior showcasing the dashboard with matte wood trim, suede accents, and integrated display screens, emphasizing its luxurious design.
However, some aspects fall short of expectations for its price. The glove box, while nicely finished inside, has a flimsy door and a clunky button. Bronze dash trim exhibits some fitment issues, and door pockets lack lining and have visible mold lines. Plain plastic speaker covers appear out of place in the otherwise upscale cabin. Platinum trim features perforated Nappa leather seats with contrasting stitching, and the carpet is reasonably soft, though somewhat thin. The front floor mat includes an embroidered “Ariya” logo and a sturdy heel pad.
Driving Position and Visibility
The Ariya’s elevated SUV-like seating position provides good forward visibility, enhanced by a low dashboard and instrument panel. The power-adjustable center console minimizes right knee intrusion, a comfortable feature. However, headroom is limited for taller adults. The door and center armrests are at different heights, with the door armrest positioned too low and far away for comfortable elbow support. The steering wheel angle, even at its lowest tilt, can obstruct portions of the digital instrument display for some drivers, requiring a less comfortable, bus-like driving position to achieve full visibility. The left footrest is also somewhat cramped and angled.
Alt text: Nissan Ariya driver’s cockpit view, highlighting the digital instrument panel, comfortable seat, and ergonomic layout for the driver.
Forward visibility is generally good, although the sloping hood makes it difficult to judge the vehicle’s front end. Windshield pillars are reasonably thin but become thick at the base, creating blind spots in sharper turns. Side windows are tall and long, but rear visibility is compromised by the sloping roofline and thick rear pillars. The rear window is small and further obstructed by headrests, the wiper assembly, and hatch trim.
Seat Comfort and Usability
Front seats offer comfortable padding and supportive side bolsters, accommodating various body types. The driver’s seat includes four-way lumbar adjustment, but surprisingly, the passenger seat lacks lumbar support, although it is height-adjustable. Taller occupants might desire longer bottom cushions for better under-thigh support. Some found the seatback bolsters taper too early, lacking upper rib cage support during cornering. Rear seats are reasonably comfortable and spacious with plush cushions, good legroom, and adequate headroom. However, the low seat cushion position reduces under-thigh support. The seatback offers limited recline adjustment via awkwardly placed levers on top of the seatbacks. Both door and center armrests are well-positioned and adequately cushioned. Entry and exit are easy in both front and rear due to the hip-height seats, tall door openings, and narrow door sills. Traditional exterior door handles are a welcome touch, contrasting with sometimes unreliable electronic handles in other EVs.
In-Car Technology and Connectivity
Usability and Infotainment
A large touchscreen dominates the Ariya’s dashboard, supplemented by touch-capacitive buttons integrated into wood panels. Media, navigation, and phone menus are well-organized and user-friendly within the touchscreen interface. A physical volume knob is included, but its off-center placement is less convenient for the driver, and a tuning knob is absent. Flush touch-capacitive climate controls, while aesthetically pleasing, are less user-friendly than physical buttons, requiring visual attention and offering inconsistent operation with minimal haptic feedback. Essential climate functions like heated seats and steering wheel are buried within the touchscreen menus, with confusing on-screen controls.
Alt text: Nissan Ariya infotainment system with a large touchscreen display and touch-sensitive climate controls seamlessly integrated into the wood trim.
The infotainment system offers extensive customization options for widgets, shortcuts, and audio sources, responding quickly to user inputs. However, busy background graphics can hinder quick information retrieval. The “settings” menu is accessed via a small, oddly placed button far from the driver. Center console touch-capacitive buttons are small, low-set, and require significant force to operate, controlling functions like e-Step and the motorized storage bin. The motorized bin, while clever, requires holding the button throughout its operation, which is cumbersome. Headlight and wiper adjustments are displayed in the instrument cluster. Automatic high beam can be toggled via a stalk button. Less frequently used controls are located low on the driver’s side dash. The emergency flasher button is not easily accessible, located under the infotainment screen.
The 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is well-organized, responsive, and user-friendly. Its recessed position provides a hand rest for screen interaction. The physical volume dial is convenient and illuminated. The system’s layout is straightforward and customizable, with configurable side menus and audio presets. Phone projection via wireless Apple CarPlay (standard) or wired Android Auto is seamless. Nissan’s navigation system is quick but features a complex menu structure and overwhelming information density. Voice guidance activation requires multiple steps. A static side menu bar aids navigation within the shallow menu structure. Media and phone menus are well-organized, with large text. Track skipping and preset changes are not displayed if the media page is not active. A dial pad is available for direct tuning due to the lack of a tuning knob, but error prevention is lacking. The driver’s instrument screen is clear and readable, with multiple access points to certain features, potentially causing confusion.
Phone and Connectivity
Device pairing is straightforward via the infotainment screen. Call management is easy using touchscreen prompts or steering wheel controls. Call rejection allows sending preset messages. Text message notifications appear on both screens, with options to read, reply with presets, or call the sender. Wireless Apple CarPlay is standard, while Android Auto requires a wired connection. Unplugging Android Auto automatically switches to Bluetooth audio. The wireless charging pad under the center armrest secures the phone well but is easily forgotten due to its hidden location and lack of reminder alerts. The Platinum+ trim includes USB Type-A and Type-C ports in both rows.
All Ariya trims include NissanConnect services with various subscription plans. Free plans offer navigation and remote app control features. Paid packages add functionalities like remote start, vehicle location, emergency calling, and concierge services. ProPILOT Assist 2.0 equipped vehicles receive complimentary HD map data updates for three years, followed by a subscription fee.
Climate and Cabin Storage
The Platinum trim includes dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. Rear climate controls are not available. A “Driver Only” climate mode optimizes heating/cooling for the driver. Dashboard vents are low-set and less effectively directed, made more cumbersome by unergonomic vent adjustment levers.
Cabin storage solutions are creatively designed. While the center console offers limited small-item storage beyond cupholders and a wireless charging tray, a hidden, motorized bin emerges from the dashboard, providing secure storage. However, its operation is slow and requires holding buttons. Cupholders lack grippy bases, causing items to slide. Front door pockets are modestly sized. An overhead sunglasses container is included but feels cheaply made.
Cargo Space and Practicality
The power-operated liftgate can be activated via various methods, including key fob, dash button, touchpad, or kick sensor (on equipped trims). Liftgate height adjustment and a lock button are convenient. Lower trims have a manual liftgate. The cargo area is easily accessible with a low, flush floor, accommodating three large suitcases behind the rear seats. 60/40 split-folding rear seats are easily operated via seatback levers. Cargo volume with rear seats folded is 29.5 cubic feet, slightly larger than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 but smaller than the Volkswagen ID.4. A front trunk (“frunk”) is not included. The cargo area is finished with soft carpeting and includes tie-down rings and small plastic bins. A non-retractable cargo cover is included. A tire sealant kit is provided instead of a spare tire.
Safety and Crashworthiness
Crash Test Ratings and Safety Features
The Nissan Ariya earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating, indicating excellent crash protection. The “Nissan Safety Shield 360” suite of standard active safety features includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, and reverse automatic emergency braking. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems operate up to highway speeds, with pedestrian detection functioning at lower speeds. Blind spot warning includes active intervention to prevent lane changes into occupied lanes. Rear cross traffic warning and reverse automatic emergency braking enhance safety during reversing maneuvers. Subscription-based security packages offer SOS emergency calling and automatic collision notification. The Ariya meets rollaway risk standards with its electronic gear selector.
Child Safety and Rear Occupant Features
Child seat installation is generally secure using seat belts, with lower anchors available in all rear seating positions. Three car seats may fit, but outboard seat placement and buckle access can be tight. Lower anchors are easily accessible behind Velcro covers. Tether anchors are under fabric trim on the upper seatbacks. Rear head restraints and advanced rear restraint systems, including seatbelt pretensioners and side-torso airbags, enhance rear passenger safety. A rear occupant alert system and rear belt minder system are standard, providing warnings to check the rear seat and ensure rear passengers are buckled.
Conclusion: Is the Nissan Ariya a Compelling Electric SUV?
The Nissan Ariya presents itself as a stylish and comfortable electric SUV with a potent powertrain and a well-appointed interior, particularly in higher trim levels. Its smooth acceleration, quiet cabin, and comprehensive suite of safety features are definite highlights. However, it faces strong competition in the rapidly evolving EV market. Areas where the Ariya could improve include its charging speed, handling dynamics, ride comfort over imperfect surfaces, and the user-friendliness of its touch-capacitive controls. While it represents a solid entry into the electric SUV segment and leverages Nissan’s EV heritage, potential buyers should weigh its strengths against its shortcomings and compare it carefully to rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Ford Mustang Mach-E before making a final decision. The Nissan Ariya review reveals a vehicle with considerable appeal but also areas needing refinement to truly stand out in the competitive EV landscape.
