2025 Nissan ARIYA

The Nissan Ariya is the brand’s first electric SUV, but hardly its first electric vehicle (EV). In fact, we all have Nissan to thank for getting the ball rolling – or electrons moving – for modern EVs thanks to its groundbreaking Leaf over a decade ago. While the Leaf remains a good choice for a simple and value-oriented EV, the Ariya is more appealing to more buyers.

In addition to its larger size and more up-to-the-minute technology, the Ariya is an SUV, and if you’ve been outside the house any time in the past decade, you know that drivers love SUVs. That said, the Ariya’s sleek, nonconformist design inside and out won’t have you think the Ariya is just an electric Rogue. The Ariya’s design is as captivating as its spirit.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of electric SUVs, including the Nissan Ariya.

The Nissan Ariya lineup is more streamlined for 2025, with the Venture front-wheel-drive and Empower+ trims dropped. The power-operated hidden storage is removed from the Evolve+ and Platinum+ grades, and the tonneau cover is removed from all grades. All models now have a wireless phone charging pad and privacy glass, and the rear USB ports have been changed from USB-A to USB-C.

We also suggest looking at rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Volkswagen ID.4, Toyota bZ4X, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Most start in the same bracket as the Ariya, although the ID.4 begins slightly below.

Before buying a new Ariya electric SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Ariya resale values are about typical of the segment. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

The Ariya drives with a combination of eagerness and easiness. Like all contemporary electric vehicles, the Ariya pulls away from a standstill with strength and smoothness: no engine noise, no shifting gears, just instant torque delivered on demand. Single-motor Ariya models can reach 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, while dual-motor, all-wheel-drive e-4orce versions (the most popular among Ariya buyers) will make the same run in just 4.8 seconds.

We’ve also found the Ariya more than comfortable enough, thanks partly to supportive seats – something of a Nissan specialty. The ride can feel a bit firm when the road gets rough, but that’s another characteristic common among many electric vehicles with suspensions tuned to help manage the substantial weight of the battery.

The easy aspect is the light steering. Some drivers might find this over-assisted, but it’s an undeniable asset in tight parking situations and just keeping fatigue at bay when driving around town. Adding the e-Step regenerative braking system means not having to dance so much between the two pedals, and the Ariya becomes a fine travel companion.

Another easy-to-use element we like a lot is the optional ProPilot Assist 2.0 partial self-driving system. When the display in the dash is white, it means adaptive cruise control is on. Green means steering assist is activated. When it turns blue, you can take your hands off the wheel. Keep your eyes on the road, and the car takes care of the rest, within limits and reason. The Ariya scrolls through these three modes automatically based on the conditions and whether you’re on a highway with HD map data. In hands-free mode, it can execute a lane change automatically, but you have to put your hands back on the wheel until it’s complete.

Sometimes, you just have to make a bold statement. Our statement in reference to the Ariya is that it has the best-looking Nissan cabin we’ve ever seen. The usual electric-vehicle approach of keeping clutter to a minimum and deploying a large infotainment touchscreen has resulted in a simple but elegant interior design. Yet there’s still a physical knob for the volume control, which we count as a win for humanity. Many other controls are touch-sensitive and maybe a little too sensitive at first, but we’ve found that they become much easier to use after a little acclimatization.

We also like the array of stowage areas and places to keep phones. Space for people is more than adequate. The Ariya’s 37 inches of rear legroom is on par with the Volkswagen ID.4, although the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E beat them both. The luggage area behind the fold-flat rear seats measures 22.8 cubic feet, which is undoubtedly enough for most purposes, but all three of the rivals mentioned here do better.

Look closely, and you might see hints of the Murano SUV and the late Maxima sedan. The Ariya is clearly a Nissan — but like one from the future, with a flowing shape and a seemingly endless variety of curves and rounded edges. Just try to find a sharp edge on this thing. We like it. In terms of size, the Ariya’s dimensions are similar to the Nissan Rogue, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, or most other compact SUVs, for that matter. However, one aspect that’s not so common is that the Ariya has charge ports on both sides, adding an extra element of convenience.

e-4orce
Nissan says the twin-motor e-4orce setup available in the Ariya is its most advanced all-wheel-drive system. With more power and better grip than the single-motor/front-drive variants, it improves performance across the board.

e-Step
We’ve found that this isn’t quite one-pedal driving, a useful and welcome feature of many electric vehicles. But this e-Step feature does employ regenerative braking to slow the Ariya down smoothly as the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal.

Hey Nissan
The high-tech infotainment system in the Ariya responds to “Hey Nissan” voice prompts. Users can control the climate, ask for directions, or make phone calls. It also has the Amazon Alexa voice assistant built in.

Zero Gravity seats
We always like Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats and rate them as some of the most comfortable seats in a non-luxury car.

Alluring design

Nissan has a knack for making cars with swoopy, flowing designs; the Ariya is the latest example. It’s technically an SUV, but it doesn’t necessarily look like the traditional notion of one.

ProPilot Assist 2.0
The ProPilot Assist 2.0 system allows for hands-free highway driving in some situations. When the blue steering wheel symbol in the dashboard lights up, it’s OK to take your hands off the wheel. In our experience, it works well, and there’s minimal jerkiness in the automated steering. We just wish it was available on more trims than the top Platinum+.

The base Engage model uses a 63-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery, while the rest of the Ariya range has an 87-kWh unit. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is available.

The bestselling Ariya models feature the larger battery and all-wheel drive, and the most popular versions are rated for 272 miles. That’s about on par with most similarly configured competitors. According to the EPA, ranges across the whole Ariya lineup span from 205 miles to 304 miles.

The Ariya is less competitive when it comes to charging speed. Nissan says the larger battery will charge from 10% to 80% in 40 minutes on a public DC fast charger, which is on the slow side for the segment. We’d rather see something around 30 minutes. At the other end of the speed spectrum, a comparable Hyundai Ioniq 5 can do 10% to 80% in a remarkable 18 minutes.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Nissan’s new-vehicle warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles, and the Ariya’s battery has a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles. These terms are all typical for the class.

Safety Rating

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the Nissan Ariya to its Top Safety Pick list for 2024, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it its 5-Star top overall safety score.