Nissan Ariya review

Nissan has done a stellar job with its all-electric Ariya family SUV. Its breadth of capability and excellent quality will be a welcome surprise to buyers, as it stands head and shoulders above any other model in the Japanese manufacturer’s line-up.

The Ariya is great to drive for a mid-size SUV, while decent practicality, refinement and a premium cabin add to the appeal further. Pricing is competitive compared to its close EV rivals, too, although overall efficiency lags ever so slightly behind the best in class. That aside, the Nissan Ariya is a fantastic choice and one we wholeheartedly recommend.

About the Nissan Ariya

Nissan has an established reputation for producing capable family SUVs, while the success of its Leaf all-electric family hatchback, launched in 2010 and now in its second generation, demonstrates the Japanese manufacturer’s commitment to battery power technology.

Every model in Nissan’s passenger car range now includes some form of electrification: the smaller Juke crossover features both mild and full-hybrid set-ups, and you’ll find Nissan’s innovative e-Power petrol/electric system driving the Qashqai and latest X-Trail medium-size SUVs.

The Ariya is similar in size to the X-Trail, so it combines plenty of family practicality along with the eco-friendliness of all-electric drive. It benefits from a significant step up in quality over other models in Nissan’s lineup, too, so much so that we awarded the Ariya our Car of the Year title for 2022.

But with a growing number of battery-powered family rivals, Nissan doesn’t have the market all to itself. Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 took our Car of the Year award in 2021 and remains an excellent option, while fellow South Korean manufacturer Kia is enjoying great success with its EV6 crossover and all-new Niro EV.

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The Volkswagen Group offers buyers even more choice with the VW ID.4, sleeker-looking ID.5 and the Skoda Enyaq iV, although keener drivers might be drawn to the dynamic capabilities of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Tesla Model Y is another key contender in the electric family car class, offering sustainably more practicality and the kudos of the Tesla badge at a similar price to the Nissan.

The Ariya sits on a new platform called CMF-EV, which is also used to underpin the Renault Megane E-Tech. Two battery options are available: the base 63kWh model offers a range of about 250 miles, while the larger 87kWh battery allows the Ariya to cover up to 329 miles on a single charge. Both these versions are front-wheel drive.

If you’re after the extra reassurance of four-wheel drive then you’re in luck, as the top-of-the-range Ariya e-4ORCE uses a dual-motor set-up to drive all four wheels and deliver 302bhp. This version also features an 87kWh battery, however the extra performance on offer means overall range takes a small hit, with Nissan claiming you’ll be able to cover around 310 miles before needing to recharge.

Buyers won’t have to wade through a series of confusing trim levels, as there’s just two specifications to choose from: Advance and Evolve, with a small selection of options packs available too. Standard equipment is generous, leaving you to question whether it’s worth spending the extra £4,000 to upgrade to the Evolve model.

For an alternative review of the Nissan Ariya, visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk...