Nissan Ariya: an exceptional driving experience

The Nissan Ariya is the Japanese automaker’s first-ever 100% electric crossover. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Ariya arrived in dealerships in June 2022. Take a look at Nissan’s new vision of mobility.

Nissan Ariya : new exterior design

The team in charge of the design of the electric vehicle wanted each Nissan to integrate the Japanese DNA in its soul. It is translated in a simple and modern way at the same time. It is for them, the “timeless Japanese futurism”.

The Nissan Ariya is considered a mid-size crossover, slightly larger than a Qashqai. 4m59 m long, 1m85 m wide, and 1m66 m high. It has a generous wheelbase of 2.77 m. It can accommodate up to five people.

We find a grille in the shape of “V”, typical of the models of the Japanese brand. It is solid, and is completed by a bright Nissan logo.

Nevertheless, the Ariya Nissan stands out for its thin headlights and its luminous claws in which the turn signals are integrated. At the rear, a wide strip of light with black lenses connects the narrow headlights. In the center, we find the name of the brand.

And interior

Inside the Nissan Ariya, we discover a unique architecture with a flat floor and an open space. A real cocoon dedicated to the well-being of its occupants. The use of the Alliance’s CMF-EV platform, which was first used in the Renault Megane E-Tech, means that there is no need for a center console, and that the presentation is even more airy.

The dashboard is minimalist and uncluttered. Touch-sensitive controls light up as soon as the vehicle is in motion. The latter gives way to a horizontal row of two 12.3-inch screens. The first is dedicated to the instrumentation, and the second gives access to the infotainment system.

Finally, the Nissan Ariya in two-wheel drive version offers a cargo volume of up to 468 liters. Enough to store 4 medium-sized suitcases. The version with all-wheel drive, on the other hand, offers only 415 liters of storage space.

Motorization and performance

For the first tests of the Ariya, Nissan has reserved the Jarama circuit, not far from Madrid. The crossover offers a lot of thrills thanks to its revolutionary technologies and a new platform for electric vehicles from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. It is available in several configurations.

With 218 hp at its disposal, the latter delivers as much torque (300Nm) as the 242 hp mid-size version. Accelerations are logically announced as prompt. 7.5 and 7.6 seconds to reach 0 to 100 km/h. The top speed is 160 km/h for these two configurations.

Finally, an all-wheel drive system called e-4orce with a dual electric motor and all-wheel drive has a combined 306 hp and 600 Nm of torque. It claims a 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h.

Battery and autonomy

Laminated lithium-ion battery options, and a choice of two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, maximize your range. Nissan offers different battery combinations.

The first one has a 66 kWh battery, 63 of which are useful, giving a range of 403 km on a single charge. Ideal for daily commutes and weekend family getaways.

The second one is 91 kW, of which 87 are useful. This version is dedicated to those who travel long distances. The autonomy can reach 533 km.

Finally, thanks to e-4orce technology, the latest combination allows you to enjoy an exceptional driving experience. More comfort and more power are yours. By equipping the same model with all-wheel drive, the range drops to 500 km in the WLTP combined cycle.

But beware, the range of your Nissan Ariya 100% electric can also depend on certain factors. Indeed, the weather conditions and the outside temperature, the average speed, or the use of your trunk and the level of loading of the vehicle, can influence the range.

Nissan Ariya all-electric: charging

You can charge your Nissan Ariya at home on a household outlet or on a dedicated wall socket. You can also take a break on the road at one of the many public charging stations. The charging configuration will depend on the type of battery you choose:

Think about smart recharging. From your smartphone, plan your home recharges during off-peak hours. This way, you benefit from cheaper electricity.

Versions and equipment

Nissan Ariya comes in two different versions. Advance for the 63 kWh version, and Evolve for the configurations equipped with the 87 kWh battery. It’s up to you to choose the equipment that suits you best:

Advance

Evolve and Evolve e-4orce : (in + of Advance)

In terms of options, the Nissan Ariya offers the following:

What is the price of the new Nissan Ariya?

In France, the Ariya Nissan is now available to order from 47 300 € for the basic version Advance, with the battery pack of 63 kWh. That’s 300 € above the maximum bonus trigger point, which allows you to get the 6,000 €.

When is the Nissan Ariya crossover coming out?

Just over 10 years after launching one of the first electric cars, the Nissan Ariya is coming to market as a 2023 model, and has been in dealerships since June 2022. As for the number of anticipated units, the Nissan automaker is being rather discreet about it.

Our opinion

Zen to look at, the Nissan Ariya is also Zen to drive. While it has a certain aesthetic audacity, it is more in line from a technical point of view.

The Ariya arrives on a market that is now well filled, unlike the Nissan Leaf, which had no competition when it came out. It will have to face its main competitors: Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Volkswagen ID.4, Skoda Enyaq, even Tesla’s Model Y.

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