The new Nissan Ariya electric SUV features bold styling, a range of up to 310 miles and a 389bhp performance variant – and Nissan claims it will “mark a new era for electric vehicles” by combining high levels of tech with “exciting” handling.
The crucial new model is set to go on sale next year as a rival to the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID 4 and will sit above the successful Leaf in the Japanese firm’s EV line-up.
The Ariya retains the bold styling of the concept unveiled at last year’s Tokyo motor show and showcases Nissan’s new brand identity with “seamless, elegant and fresh” styling. It’s the first model built on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s new CMF-EV electric architecture, with Nissan operating chief Ashwani Gupta saying it represents the start of “a new chapter for Nissan”. He said the firm has “strived to amplify the fun-to-drive aspect of electric mobility,” adding: “It’s not just a great EV crossover, but also a great vehicle – a true force of wonder that will take us into the future.”
The Ariya will be sold in five versions in the UK, with single-motor front-wheel-drive and twin-motor four-wheel-drive powertrains and a choice of 63kWh and 87kWh batteries.
The 63kWh single-motor model will offer 215bhp and a range of 223 miles, while it’s 239bhp and a 310-mile range for the 87kWh car. Both front-drive versions will produce 221lb ft, enabling a 0-62mph time of around 7.5sec and a top speed of 99mph.
The twin-motor powertrain uses Nissan’s new e-4orce four-wheel drive system, which the firm calls the “spiritual offspring” of the system used in the GT-R supercar. It employs a regenerative rear-motor braking system to minimise vehicle pitch and smooth the ride.
The 63kWh Ariya e-4orce will produce 275bhp and 413lb ft and have a range of 211 miles. The standard 87kWh version will offer 302bhp, 442lb ft and a 285-mile range.
A range-topping e-4orce Performance model will use the 87kWh battery but produce 389bhp and 442lb ft and have a 248-mile range. It will cover 0-62mph in a claimed 5.1sec and, like both other e-4orce models, have a top speed of 124mph.
The Ariya gets Standard, Sport and Eco driving modes, with e-4orce variants adding a Snow mode. Nissan claims the underfloor battery has been positioned to ensure 50:50 front/rear weight distribution, with flat underbody aerodynamics to boost stability. It also uses the Leaf’s e-Pedal regeneration system, allowing one-pedal driving.
Join the debate
Peter Cavellini
Nope.
No, I don't like the look, especially the front.
Antony Riley
Strange when new shapes
Strange when new shapes appear there are always doubters ,dont like this dont like that we and I am among them like to say what we all think, Here is a good case of mmmm not sure .Well Nissan good on you for leading us down a new look in car design road .The interior is again a fine example of mimilist which to these eyes has for more design led feautures than those dam awful Tesla interiors which look like someone went down to Currys and bought the cheapest laptop and glued it to what they seem to think is good interior desgn . I,m waiting !!!!
seljon
The weight of a whale
xxxx
Japanese design
Looks a bit dumpy especially as it's 4.6 metres long, the colour does it no favours and you'd need a Mazda 3 driver to help you reverse it judging by that rear window.
Biggest problem I have is being a totally new developed car with a similiar battery capacity to the one in I-Pace they only quote 285 miles. Helps explain why the Tesla share price is going balistic
V12smig
dont care about the looks
but do care about another new EV car, dont understand why its taking everyone sooo long, Kudos to Musk, who still has a march on everyone. My next car will be electric but the deciding factor will be how quickly I can charge my car "up North" for the drive back down south... and Teslas 150Kw superchargers are a USP most business drivers will not be able to ignore... me included, even with the iffy build quality..
V12smig
dont care about the looks
but do care about another new EV car, dont understand why its taking everyone sooo long, Kudos to Musk, who still has a march on everyone. My next car will be electric but the deciding factor will be how quickly I can charge my car "up North" for the drive back down south... and Teslas 150Kw superchargers are a USP most business drivers will not be able to ignore... me included, even with the iffy build quality..
V12smig
dont care about the looks
but do care about another new EV car, dont understand why its taking everyone sooo long, Kudos to Musk, who still has a march on everyone. My next car will be electric but the deciding factor will be how quickly I can charge my car "up North" for the drive back down south... and Teslas 150Kw superchargers are a USP most business drivers will not be able to ignore... me included, even with the iffy build quality..
TStag
I just threw up a little. It
I just threw up a little. It's horrid. OK Nissan I get your cars are reliable. But the question I must ask myself is this do I sacrifice some reliability for another car that looks good. Or do I drive something with the visual appeal of a hearse?
Nissan, Toyota and Honda should look at how Mazda style cars. How is it Mazda can make a car that looks good and is also reliable? Why must the only reason to buy from them be they make reliable cars. I can't think of another single reason to buy one.
abkq
Another motoring magazine has
Another motoring magazine has a different set of photos which makes this car look much more appealing. Need to see an actual car.
The interior has no such controversy. It is a beautifully laid out and detailed Minimalist interior, far preferable to Tesla.
catnip
Nissan appear to be following
Nissan appear to be following the VW group route of compromising driver ergonomics in favour of internal style. Thankfully Renault, Honda, and even Citroen are seeing the error of this, I wonder which approach will win out?
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