The Nissan Ariya is Nissan’s flagship electric crossover, launched in 2022. It is also the brand’s second electric car after the Leaf from 2010. Today, Nissan’s electric lineup includes a new Leaf and a new Micra, and soon an electric Juke will join them, but the Ariya represented the brand’s second attempt in the electric segment.
Although its design is bold and minimalist, with clean lines and a tech-forward, futuristic look—though it can feel less elegant from certain angles, partly due to very large overhangs—Nissan has updated it this year.
Subtle changes focused on the driving experience
The most noticeable change is aesthetic. The front end abandons the large dark panel that had been a hallmark up to now in favor of a body-colored surface, paired with a new lighting signature featuring curved daytime running lights. The result intentionally mirrors the look of the new Nissan Leaf.
The front badge gains its own illumination, the air intakes and fog lights disappear, while the wheel arches receive a more pronounced black plastic cladding. The wheel range increases to 20 inches, and two new exterior colors are added—Plasma Green (as seen in the photos) and Dark Red—along with new two-tone finishes.
The interior is spacious and serene, with a design that seeks to convey calm. A quality that is particularly well achieved in the Ariya. Still, Nissan has made a few changes. Inside, the most striking novelty is ambient lighting, now customizable across the entire color spectrum, together with a redesigned central console that expands storage and incorporates a more powerful wireless charging pad for smartphones.
But without a doubt the biggest novelty of the updated Ariya is the presence of the latest generation of NissanConnect now with Google services built in as standard: Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play Store, in addition to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly.
The system adds an intelligent route planner that calculates the optimal itinerary based on the available range and automatic battery thermal management that prepares the battery before reaching a charging point according to the route programmed in the navigation.
The suite of driving aids includes Nissan’s ProPILOT system that brings together all available assists (adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, etc.), ProPILOT Park (parking assist), the e-Pedal function, and an eight-point vehicle surround camera system with 360-degree coverage. The car also retains its V2L port to power external devices.
Mechanically there are no great surprises. The 87 kWh battery remains in both configurations, with a heat pump as standard. Front-wheel drive delivers 178 kW (242 hp) and is rated for 536 kilometers of range, while the all-wheel-drive e-4ORCE variant increases power to 225 kW (306 hp) at the expense of range, which falls to 493 kilometers.
DC fast charging remains at 130 kW, a rather modest figure compared to rivals, and AC charging reaches up to 11 kW.
The Ariya appears to be fun, but in reality it handles more like what you would expect from a family Nissan. It is exceptionally refined, quiet, and very comfortable. It is far from a sports car: the steering is very soft and tuned to a full degree, while the suspension soaks up almost everything. If you are looking for a family electric SUV with decent range, you could do much worse, to be honest. And it comes with a very complete equipment list.
You could indeed choose something even better, though. We have reached a point where there is an oversupply of electric SUVs, and in the end it comes down to each person’s design and style preferences. If you like the look of the Nissan, and especially its interior, go ahead.
In Spain, the updated Ariya is on sale from €48,060 with promotions for the front-wheel-drive version (financing options from €455 per month), while the e-4ORCE variant starts at €51,260. Nissan offers up to ten years of warranty through its Nissan+ program.
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Images | Nissan
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