We tested the Nissan Ariya: an electric SUV that wants you to forget the anxiety of autonomy
Published by The team in News the 31/12/2022 at 10:47
The Nissan Ariya, a 100% electric SUV with a very striking design, is the second zero-emission from the Japanese brand to land on our market. It comes more than a decade after the now-updated Nissan Leaf , but "it's never too late if happiness is good," they say, and is that it brings a starring role in the electrification of Nissan under his arm.
To stand out from the competition in an increasingly crowded segment, this mid-size crossover SUV relies on high-quality technology and materials and presents a very complete range.
We had the opportunity to have a brief brush with the entry-level variant during a first drive around Stockholm, and these are our first impressions.
The keys to the Nissan Ariya
A highly anticipated model . The Nissan Ariya derives from the prototype that the brand unveiled at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show (compared to which, curiously, not much has changed) and, although it was presented barely a year later, this It was only last August that the first units began to arrive on our market.
Average size : The Ariya has dimensions of 4.60 m long, 1.85 m wide and 1.66 m high, it has a wheelbase of 2.78 m (which makes it possible to have a generous interior) and a ground clearance typical of its category, 18.5 cm. Thus, in terms of size, it is between the Nissan Qashqai (4.4 m long) and the Nissan X-Trail (4.70 m).
From zero. This crossover starts from scratch and is built on the new modular platform for electric vehicles CMF-EV developed by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. In other words, the same technical base on which the new electric Renault Mégane E-TECH is based.
A very complete range. The Nissan Ariya is available with different engine combinations, front or all-wheel drive, two options in terms of battery capacity and two different trim levels (Advance and Evolve).
In Spain, at the moment, the range starts with the version with a single motor on the front axle of 160 kW (about 218 HP with 300 Nm of torque), front wheel drive and the smaller battery which, with a capacity of 63 kWh net, promises up to 403 km of autonomy .
This is followed by the 178 kW power variant (242 hp and 300 Nm of torque), which also has a single motor on the front axle and is front-wheel drive, but is powered by a net 87 kWh battery which gives up to 533 km range.
Above, the version with the e-4orce all-wheel drive system, whose pair of motors, one for each axis, delivers 225 kW (306 hp of combined power and no less than 600 Nm of torque). Even if in this case, its autonomy is estimated at 500 km .
For later, a more powerful alternative to the Ariya with an 87 kWh battery and all-wheel drive is expected. For now, the top-of-the-range version is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and is the only one to reach a top speed of 200 km/h, since the others are limited to 160 km. /h.
Loading time . Using the included 7.4kW home charger, the Nissan Ariya with the 63kWh battery takes around 10 hours to charge, while the 87kWh battery variants charge in 13.5 hours. With the 22 kW three-phase cable, charging times are reduced to 3.5 hours and 5 hours respectively.
In addition, according to the manufacturer, the Nissan Ariya can also support fast charging up to 130 kW , which will be very useful to minimize waiting times on long journeys, since in this case half an hour will be enough for the two batteries.
An increasingly crowded segment. The Ariya meets powerful rivals as soon as it arrives, including the Ford Mustang Mach-E , Hyundai Ioniq 5 , Kia EV6 , Tesla Model Y , Toyota bZ4X, Volkswagen ID.4 and Volkswagen ID.5 or even the Skoda Enyaq IV and Skoda Enyaq Coupé , to name just a few examples.
"Very Japanese" exterior design
After reviewing your letter of introduction, it's time to meet the Nissan Ariya in person, and the truth is, the first impression is good.
Although we can recognize some features of the latest Nissan Micra and Nissan Juke designs in it as soon as we see it, the Ariya has its own personality marked by simple but angular lines and in general it looks very modern and resounding. , emphasized in this case due to the copper color of its bodywork.
One of the main characteristics that reveals its electric character is its front face, with packaging marked by the absence of the traditional grille in favor of a huge streamlined grille in the shape of a “V”, in which the color black predominates.
Its very thin LED optics and the brand's new luminous logo are the details that stand out the most in this view, in addition to the functional air intakes located on the sides.
In profile, its marked size, the roof line lowered towards the rear, the marked wheel arches and the striking semi-fairing rims stand out. As a curiosity, the mirrors are located in the doors (a little further back than usual), and the charging socket is in the front.
At the rear we did not find any details to highlight, except for the small darkened rear window, the small roof spoiler or the optics joined by a horizontal line.
Spacious interior design and premium materials
Matching the exterior, the Ariya's cabin has a very contemporary, almost futuristic look. With a very clean dashboard and horizontal lines , there is a significant leap compared to other models of the brand and perceived high quality materials such as soft plastics pleasant to the touch and large surfaces finished in imitation wood .
Very surprising details such as the haptic buttons engraved on the dashboard which control aspects such as the air conditioning (and which only come on when the car is on) and the absence of the typical console , which translates automatically by a powerful sensation of amplitude.
In its place we have a central console that can be moved longitudinally electrically and houses the gear selector and other controls, an armrest with a hole for storing objects, a wireless charging surface for the mobile with a cover of blind style and cup holders.
The driving position is raised and although the multifunction steering wheel stands out (renewed and adjustable in height and depth), the main protagonists are the screen that serves as the dashboard and the multimedia system.
Both have several configuration possibilities, have a very good resolution and a good size (12.3 inches), very much in the style of those that other brands already mount in their most current models, as is the case at Mercedes-Benz.
In the highest equipment trim (Evolve) like that of our test unit, the Nissan Ariya also incorporates a handy head-up display.
Due to the location of the batteries, the floor at the rear of the passenger compartment is logically a little high. Although it does affect posture a bit, the seats are comfortable enough for two average-sized adults and reasonable if three are travelling. Legroom is acceptable and a little tighter for the head (in this case conditioned by the silhouette of the car).
Passengers have amenities such as two charging ports and air conditioning at their disposal, and in the rear doors they will find materials of the same quality as those found at the front of the car.
A point that is not in favor of the Ariya compared to its competition is perhaps the trunk capacity which is a little tight, because although it has two heights, a high and generous loading mouth (and has a power tailgate) the electric crossover offers 466 l in front-engine versions and 408 l in the top e-4orce.
First sensations at the wheel of the Nissan Ariya
It's time to have a first brief contact with the Nissan Ariya around Stockholm (Sweden) and, after having adjusted our position thanks to the electric controls of the seat and the steering wheel, we silently enter a route marked by orography without too much complications in a country where the highway code is strict, particularly with regard to the maximum speed of traffic.
In this quiet environment, the first thing you notice while driving is that the cabin insulation is remarkably good . In addition, visibility is very correct even if you look through the central mirror, because despite the small size of the rear window, the rear view camera can be activated to have everything more controlled.
Many controls are physical, such as the one that regulates the volume of the multimedia system or those located on the steering wheel to operate some of the driver assistance systems included in ProPILOT (for example, the lane keeping system in combination with the adaptive cruise control).
On the other hand, we were able to verify the effectiveness of a simple and intuitive although very advanced infotainment system, which has a voice command that responds to the command "Hello, Nissan" and that the brand includes in its so-called "personal assistive technology". In the connectivity section we have compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Of course, as for the haptic controls for the climate located under the multimedia screen, they are very pleasant to the touch, although not being used to them, they mean that to manipulate them we sometimes have to leave the road of the eyes.
Positive point in terms of practicality for the two glove boxes , because we liked the one located under the central screen (smaller), which is used to store a few small bottles of water and even a fanny pack and which completes the capacity of the glove box in the traditional position.
In the dynamic part, it is not surprising that in a car with the characteristics of the Ariya, the steering and suspension settings are mainly focused on comfort and driving pleasure, although we can play with the modes of conduct available to us depending on the circumstances.
Of the three levels of regenerative braking, the intermediate is the most natural and allows us to drive almost without touching the brake pedal. But be careful, because with the e-pedal function activated (particularly useful in town), the Ariya will not brake completely, since it acts up to 5 km / h "to keep the driver alert", specifies Nissan.
The car feels light and nimble (it weighs 1.8 tonnes), and the feeling is that already in its entry-level engine, with a 63 kWh battery, it moves with ease through all sorts of scenarios . Although given the circumstances, we look forward to being able to test its most dynamic features when the environment permits.
Indeed, after covering the first kilometres, we even managed to lower the average consumption approved by the manufacturer for this version : we arrived at our destination with the on-board computer displaying just over 13 kW/h per 100 km , while the official reference is 17.6 kWh.
And despite the fact that this is very positive data, we will have to wait for a more thorough test to be able to compare more objectively.
Range, price and availability
Without discounts applied, the Nissan Ariya is on sale from 47,900 euros in its access version with a 160 kW front engine, a 63 kWh battery, front-wheel drive and the Advance trim level.
This, in addition to having 19-inch wheels, includes benefits such as Pro-PILOT technology with Navilink as standard, a tailgate with a hands-free function and the possibility of remote updates (FOTA).
The same variant with the Evolve trim level , like the version with which we had this first contact, adds to the previous one the curious electrically sliding console, Pro-PILOT technology with parking assistant, smart key and a BOSE audio system with ten speakers. The price is 52,400 euros.
Already in the upper echelon we find the Nissan Ariya e-Force with an 87 kWh battery , 225 kW of power, all-wheel drive and Evolve equipment, priced at 60,900 euros.
Due to the price difference between the versions, and without having been able to taste the rest, for now the version we tested seems quite attractive, despite the fact that it has a slightly higher price than some of its rivals. the most direct like the Volkswagen Family ID.
For those looking for an electric "with a different touch" and the budget allows, the Ariya is an interesting option, since it is an SUV with high-performance mechanics and very complete standard equipment. It is also very comfortable, even if the trunk does not have the best capacity in its segment.
We were captivated by the Ariya's design (and very surprised by some of its interior solutions). Its consumption has also been very positive for us and that its real autonomy allows us to make the most common day-to-day routes without being very aware of the indicator. We will see what sensations a more thorough test leaves us in the future.
