The Nissan Ariya won our Car of the Year award in 2022, also claiming the Best Mid-sized Company Car trophy. We were impressed with the Nissan's blend of good looks, high-quality cabin, and decent range. However, the EV world is fast-paced, and although the Ariya is still a very good car, its so-so real-world efficiency, relatively small boot capacity, and lackluster driving experience mean it's overshadowed by some rivals.
Nissan was the first company to unveil an affordable electric car with the Leaf in 2010. The Ariya was unveiled in July 2020, but it didn't go on sale in the US until December 2021. There were two trim levels (Advance and Evolve), both available with three different powertrains. Entry-level cars came with 214 horsepower, a 63kWh battery, and front-wheel drive, while mid-range models had 238 horsepower, an 87kWh battery, and front-wheel drive. The range-topping e-4ORCE had 301 horsepower, an 87kWh battery, and all-wheel drive.
View Price on AmazonIn August 2023, a new entry-level trim, Engage, was introduced for the front-wheel-drive models, and at the top of the range, there was a new 388 horsepower edition called the e-4ORCE Evolve+. In October 2024, a 429 horsepower Nismo option joined the range with a sportier chassis set-up, body kit, and upgraded interior.
An updated Ariya is arriving imminently, with a refreshed exterior design, recalibrated suspension, extra color options, and improved charging. The Ariya typically gets through electricity at the rate of 2.9 miles per kilowatt-hour – or just 2.5 miles in the winter – and motorway driving will bring that down even further.
Depending on how you use your car, the 63kWh battery might be sufficient, but an 87kWh model will provide greater peace of mind; all Ariyas can charge at up to 130kW. Buy an 87kWh Ariya and the less powerful (314 horsepower) motor is all you need, and even Engage models are pretty well equipped. These have all-LED exterior lighting, front and rear parking sensors, and a rear camera, a heat pump, ambient cabin lighting, and navigation.
Advance trim adds a hands-free powered tailgate, heating for the steering wheel, front seats, and windscreen, synthetic leather trim, wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera, and extra driver-assistance systems. The Evolve has an opening panoramic glass roof, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a Bose hi-fi.
Advance is the most popular Ariya trim level, followed by Evolve; relatively few of the cars for sale are Engage editions. You can buy a used Nissan Ariya for less than $15,000 through our Buy a Car service, while a used Nissan Ariya Nismo is available for around $32,000.
Source: autoexpress.co.uk
