2024 Nissan ARIYA

We all have Nissan to thank for helping to make electric cars more popular and more acceptable to a wider section of the population. While Tesla was making its expensive Roadster that only film stars could afford, Nissan came out with the Leaf. And we still like the Leaf to this day, even if it is nearing the end of its production life.

Now Nissan has produced the Ariya, a more mature and sophisticated electric vehicle competing in a compact SUV arena that includes the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Volkswagen ID.4. And it’s up to the task, with attributes like comfort, tech, and safety. Buyers are particularly fond of Ariya versions with all-wheel drive and the biggest battery on offer. The Ariya is a serious contender.

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

Having debuted only last year, there are no real changes to the Ariya this time around, except that prices have been reduced across the lineup. The base model is down by $3,600, while the range-topper now costs $6,000 less. Last year’s scheme of 12 months’ unlimited use of the EVgo charging network has been discontinued. A North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapter will arrive later in the year, making the Ariya compatible with NACS outlets in Tesla’s Supercharger network.

We also suggest looking at rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Volkswagen ID.4, Toyota bZ4X, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Most of them 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 in part to supportive seats. 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 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. Add the e-Step regenerative braking system that 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. A lot of other controls are touch sensitive and may be 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 ideas, such as the one in the adjustable center console (the console also includes a fold-out tray for meals or work), and places to keep phones. Space for people is more than adequate. Rear legroom of 37 inches 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 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. One aspect that’s not so common, however, 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.

EV Carefree+
The EV Carefree+ is a bundle of perks specific to Nissan EVs, providing peace of mind. It includes an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, and 5-year/60,000-mile flatbed towing coverage.

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. It works well in our experience, and there’s minimal jerkiness in the automated steering. We just wish it was available on more trims than the top Platinum+

The best-selling Ariya models feature the larger battery and all-wheel drive, and the most popular versions of those are rated for 272 miles. That’s about on par with most similarly configured competitors. Across the whole Ariya lineup, ranges 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 rather 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 Ratings

The Ariya has received the highest award of Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as well as taking the maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, plus blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.