Nissan is no stranger to the electric vehicle (EV) market. The Japanese automaker launched the Leaf back in 2010, making it one of the first mass-produced EVs in the world. But the Leaf, despite its popularity and longevity, has been overshadowed by newer and more advanced rivals in recent years. That’s why Nissan is ready to shake things up with the Ariya, a sleek and spacious electric SUV that promises to deliver on performance, range, technology, and value.
The Ariya is Nissan’s second fully electric model and its first electric crossover. It’s also the first vehicle to showcase Nissan’s new design language, which blends futuristic elements with traditional Japanese aesthetics. The Ariya has a low and wide stance, a V-shaped grille with a glowing logo, thin LED headlights and taillights, and a coupe-like roofline. The Ariya also features a spacious and minimalist interior with a flat floor, a curved dashboard, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a digital instrument cluster. The Ariya offers plenty of room for five passengers and their luggage, with 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.6 cubic feet with them folded.
Performance and Efficiency of the Ariya
But the 2024 Nissan Ariya is not just about looks. It’s also about performance and efficiency. The Ariya comes with two battery options: a 63 kWh pack that provides an estimated range of 223 miles, and a 87 kWh pack that boosts the range to 304 miles. The Ariya also offers two drivetrain options: a single-motor front-wheel drive system that produces 214 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system that delivers 335 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. The latter system, dubbed e-4ORCE, uses technology derived from the Nissan GT-R sports car to distribute torque between the front and rear wheels, enhancing traction, stability, and handling. The Ariya can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 5 seconds and reach a top speed of 124 mph.
Advanced Technologies in the Ariya
The Ariya is also equipped with advanced technologies that make driving easier and safer. The Ariya features the latest version of Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system that can steer, accelerate, and brake the vehicle in a single lane on highways. The Ariya also introduces ProPILOT Park, a system that can automatically park the vehicle in parallel or perpendicular spaces. The Ariya also comes with various safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera.
Affordability and Availability of the Ariya
One of the most appealing aspects of the Ariya is its affordability. Nissan has announced that the Ariya will start at $39,590 in the US, making it one of the market's most competitively priced electric SUVs. The Ariya will also qualify for the federal tax credit of up to $7,500 and state and local incentives, depending on the location. The Ariya will be available in four trim levels: Engage, Venture+, Evolve+, and Empower+. The base Engage model will come with the smaller battery and the front-wheel drive system, while the other models will offer the larger battery and the all-wheel drive system option. The Ariya will also come with a standard 7.2 kW onboard charger for Level 2 charging and a 130 kW DC fast charging capability for Level 3 charging. Nissan claims that the Ariya can recover up to 175 miles of range in 30 minutes using a DC fast charger.