Nissan Ariya review: Prioritize comfort like few EV rivals

Nissan launched the Ariya in 2022 and has since discontinued its long-time EV pioneer, the Leaf. The shift elevates the Ariya from just another SUV in Nissan’s lineup to a cornerstone of its electrification strategy. As a direct competitor to crossovers such as the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Ariya plays a key role in maintaining Nissan’s relevance in the electric vehicle market.

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However, despite the Ariya’s importance, all of these competitors will significantly outsell the Ariya in 2023. This may come as a surprise to those who remember Nissan halting orders early due to high demand at launch. The big question remains: What’s stopping the Ariya from gaining a larger share of the EV market?

It’s a good question, and in addition to production factors, we look to the car itself for an answer. To do this, we put it to the test for a full week in Little Rock, Arkansas. It can transport bikes, people and other cargo, travel several miles on a full charge, and more. It turns out that Nissan has some serious opportunities to improve this electric car, but that doesn’t mean its rivals can’t learn something from the Ariya.

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quick overview

The cruising range is average and the charging speed is not very fast.

Nissan offers two battery options for the Ariya, but only the base model comes with a 63 kWh battery pack. With front-wheel drive, its range is just 216 miles (348 kilometers); with all-wheel drive, the range is even shorter, at 205 miles (330 kilometers). That said, our test vehicle was in Empower+ trim, with an 87 kWh battery, front-wheel drive, and a range of 289 miles (465 kilometers). It makes 238 hp (117 kW)—not too bad, but nothing to write home about.

Read: Sure, you can lease the Ariya for $99 a month if you’re willing to pay $238

It’s worth noting that the Ariya’s top charging rate is 130 kW, which is much slower than what other manufacturers offer, which can charge up to 350 kW. Even brands like Ford, which are nowhere near that figure, are still capable of DC fast charging at 150 kW. Of course, faster charging means less charging time, allowing for faster turnarounds on longer trips or when time is limited.

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During a week in town, this wasn’t a big deal, although I couldn’t charge it at home. Just drive your car to a nearby coffee shop and plug it into the public charger across the street, no questions asked. A few hours later, it was fully charged and I was ready to hit the road. The best part? The charger is a free public charger so I don’t have to pay a penny to charge up and get more range.

After a week of driving, I averaged 2.6 miles per kWh. This results in a practical range of approximately 226 miles (364 kilometers) under all conditions. For the average driver, this is enough. It’s less of a worry if the same person can charge it at home. Only those who regularly drive more than 200 miles (322 kilometers) in a day need to pay more attention to their vehicle’s mileage.

Spacious and comfortable cabin

Photo Stephen Rivers/Carscoops

The Ariya is slightly smaller than cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E, but one wouldn’t know it by slipping into the cabin. In fact, it has more headroom in both rows than the Ford and barely lags behind the Hyundai in that category. Additionally, the open layout of the front seats makes the interior feel more spacious.

Nissan offers a very interesting solution for those who really prefer more isolated front-seat space. The center console slides forward and backward via an electric motor. In addition, the slide-out drawer in the center of the dashboard is also moved by an electric motor, so that the two almost meet to provide a completely different center console layout.

About those touch-based controls

This isn’t the only party trick in Ariya, either. The dashboard is almost completely devoid of physical switchgear. All that remains is the power button and media on/off switch with integrated volume knob. Next to this knob are two hidden switches for hazard lights and jump rails. Beyond that, every climate control feature is seamlessly embedded into the dashboard itself.

I expect to hate this solution, it’s far from perfect, but I think it’s a step in the right direction if there’s no real switchgear on the menu. The issue of having to look down to confirm a touch still exists, but the buttons do provide tactile feedback when pressed. Additionally, while the surface does pick up fingerprints, it won’t show them like piano black trim. I count these as wins because people seeing it for the first time might like it.

The infotainment system is a pleasure to use and well laid out. I really like the integrated navigation, which includes a live map showing how far the car can go on a charge.

The most dazzling thing about the Ariya isn’t its fancy electronics. Such is the level of comfort it brings to daily driving. The seats are well cushioned but also supportive. Nissan has utilized zero-gravity “fatigue-free” seats in the front of the Ariya, and they’re great. Designed to simulate the feeling of zero-gravity conditions, they provide excellent support for the occupants from pelvis to chest.

The rear seats aren’t quite as advanced, but can still accommodate two passengers comfortably, or three if necessary. Nissan has used a cross-hatch Kumiko-esque design throughout the Ariya, and in several places, ambient lighting shines through the pattern. It’s a high-end look that elevates the cabin. The space is similar to Tesla’s simplicity, but with more comfort and common-sense controls.

There are 22.8 cubic feet of storage space behind the second row, which is more than enough for most long weekend trips. If you need to transport larger items, such as a bicycle, the rear seats fold down to reveal 59.7 cubic feet of space. This space makes moving items around in Ariya very easy.

(Mostly) comfortable ride and good handling

The Ariya is a crossover that’s fun to drive. Remember, the big promise here is comfort, and it delivers on that promise to a great extent. The accelerator pedal is capable of providing very subtle input and receiving appropriately subtle feedback. The suspension absorbs most of the road’s imperfections, but we’d like to see more refinement here. Some cracks or potholes affected the cabin more than expected.

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The brakes have good feel, but using regenerative braking (Nissan’s E-Step mode) is a strange experience. At first, the car is fast, but since the Ariya doesn’t have a true one-pedal drive mode, you still need to hit the brakes to bring the car to a complete stop.

Then, they’ll find that the pedal actually moves away during the regenerative braking phase, so it’s not exactly where their foot remembers it. We’d love to see a true one-pedal driving mode here. For EV drivers who don’t use one pedal to drive, the Ariya’s brakes work well.

Handling is another area where the Ariya isn’t great. It’s easy to boot, but may not be as sharp as some competitors’ offerings. We expect the upcoming Ariya NISMO to address this issue and provide a more engaging driving experience.

In fact, the way this car drives is likely to attract many buyers looking for a vehicle in this segment. It drives better than anything else in Nissan’s catalog except for the Z and GT-R, but it’s not overly harsh either. In the world of cars, the Ariya sits in a comfortable middle ground.

judgment

Nissan is no longer the leader in electric vehicles, and the Ariya is no longer the best in its class. At the same time, it could be very attractive to buyers who prefer Japanese-made electric cars. Toyota, Subaru, Honda and Mazda are still trying to find their way in the same space. Ariya is equally good, if not the best, of the group.

In the meantime, Nissan will be well on its way to updating the electric car with faster charging, sharper driving dynamics and greater range. Until then, electric crossovers like the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5 will likely continue to dominate in terms of overall market share.

This crossover effectively blends products that Nissan buyers are accustomed to, such as the Murano and Rogue, with the benefits of driving an electric car. Approaching this car with the mindset that it’s a love letter to Nissan owners helps explain many of its design decisions.

Those looking to buy an electric car should at least take a look at the Ariya. It’s perfect for those who prioritize comfort and relaxation. No, it won’t charge as fast as some competitors, and it won’t necessarily travel as far between stops, but it’s a quiet, quality space to spend time in, and sometimes, that’s the most important factor .

Photo Stephen Rivers/Carscoops