In December, it marked 13 years since Nissan introduced the world's first mass-produced electric car. Initially, the Leaf was ugly — only its manufacturer could love it — and had an estimated range of just 73 miles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Although the Leaf was a pioneer, it never became a sales giant in the U.S., and now it seems the Japanese automaker is ceasing its production.
But that doesn't matter, as Nissan turned a new page with the 2023 Ariya, the company's first electric crossover. The Environmental Protection Agency describes it as a small wagon, but few share that view.
The long-awaited Ariya, delayed by countless supply chain issues and factory problems, elevates Nissan’s brand to a more premium level with a stylish exterior, high-quality interior materials, craftsmanship, and higher-than-typical segment features. Some say it could bear the Infiniti logo, Nissan’s luxury brand.
Nissan states that the Ariya rethinks its design philosophy inside and out, calling it "timeless Japanese futurism." This means more refined, minimalist design in electric configuration.
The glossy black grille resembles a shield with a three-dimensional kumiko pattern (a Japanese design technique) beneath it. In the center, there is a new Nissan logo that softly glows using 20 LEDs. From the front corners extend dramatic strips of LED headlights and running lights. The long roofline reaches the rear of the cabin, and a single light blade runs at the back.
Japanese stylistic features are also evident inside: kumiko patterns on the speaker grilles and even on the floor mats.
Among other interesting concepts are an electrified central armrest for driver comfort and additional rear footwell space. There is also a retractable table under the dashboard, which, according to Nissan, can be used as a "mobile office or picnic table on the move" while waiting to recharge. In reality, it’s a smart idea but bulky and too small for anything other than a snack.
When it comes to power and range, the seven Ariya trim levels offer many options: front- or all-wheel drive, single or dual motors, a 63 kWh battery or a larger capacity 87 kWh battery. With a single motor and the larger battery, the maximum range is 304 miles.
With this equipment, tested Ariya Empower+ is a pleasant ride but not too powerful: 238 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. It reaches 60 mph in about 7 seconds. For comparison, the dual-motor Ariya with all-wheel drive (e-4orce) accelerates to 100 km/h faster — in 5.6 seconds, but its range is about 30 miles less: it produces 389 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque.
In all its forms, the Ariya demonstrates strong, confident acceleration and smooth, quiet city or highway driving. Handling on turns is impressive, partly due to sensitive steering. But the biggest credit goes to the battery, located under the center of the vehicle, providing a low center of gravity, and nearly 50/50 weight distribution front to rear.
Three drive modes adjust performance: standard for most trips, economy for maximum range, and sport for faster driving. It can tow a modest 1500 pounds.
Braking is soft but effective. Press the e-Step button for one-pedal driving, regenerating energy to increase range. This button does not bring Ariya to a complete stop like many systems do, but slows it to 5-7 mph. Final braking is up to the driver. Some like the system, while others prefer the confidence of manual braking.
Ariya also features Nissan's latest driver assistance technology called ProPilot 2.0, which allows hands-free driving on mapped roads and lane navigation on others. It extends the capabilities of ProPilot Assist by managing lane changes, re-entries, and highway exits.
Ariya comes with a 7.2 kW onboard charger, capable of full recharge in 14 hours with a Level 2 charger. With a fast charger, Nissan claims it charges from 10-80% in 40 minutes. These are decent numbers, though some competitors might be slightly better.
Ultimately, the EPA estimates combined driving at 98 MPGe; 105 in the city, 91 on the highway. Of course, results depend on many factors like climate, speed, hills, and driving style.
Inside, simple design and a flat, open floor (battery underneath) increase Ariya’s spaciousness. It’s a lovely five-passenger cabin with ample head and legroom front and rear.
Thin, lightweight front seats are comfortable and supportive, including lumbar support, with numerous adjustments for all sizes. They can be upholstered in leather or synthetic material, with heating and ventilation. The rear seats are also heated.
In keeping with the minimalist concept, the main dashboard does not have traditional switches but a row of touch-sensitive buttons integrated into a wood trim with a matte finish on the instrument panel. Clean and simple, they respond quickly to touch with a subtle vibration.
The gear shifter is smooth, palm-sized, pleasant to the touch, and the steering wheel is heated and offers adjustable stiffness.
The cabin’s cooling felt sluggish — at least for those in Sunbelt regions where quick cooling is sometimes needed. However, the air conditioning can be limited to certain zones to save energy.
The 12.3-inch screens nearby house the Ariya infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. The latter is reconfigurable and displays numerous driver assistance and safety features. There is also a head-up display.
The touchscreen infotainment system is color, responsive, and fairly easy to use. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, and offers navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, and four USB ports. The Empower trim includes wireless charging for devices and a premium audio system with 10 speakers highlighted by subtle backlighting.
Ariya is also Nissan’s first model to offer over-the-air software updates for the infotainment, electronics, chassis, climate control, and electric vehicle settings.
The interior provides ample space for sports gear, groceries, and luggage. The trunk capacity is 22.8 cubic feet, or 59.7 with the rear seats folded. But under the front hood, or "frunk," there is no space.
Advanced safety features, besides Nissan ProPilot 2.0, include Nissan Safety Shield 360, which incorporates automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, cross-traffic alert and braking, blind-spot warning with intervention, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and around-view monitors.
The base trim of Ariya starts at approximately $45,000, a few thousand more than some high-quality competitors. Also note that the Ariya does not qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit, so this should be considered.
But when you see all the standard amenities like a panoramic roof, heated seats, and a head-up display, the Ariya still looks like a quite attractive offer.
