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When it comes to electric cars, Nissan is clearly one of the pioneers in the industry. The Leaf is already in its second generation. With Ariya, the Japanese are now taking the next step in their e-mobility. The middle-class model should form the ideal combination of crossover and electric drive.
A new name, a new platform, a whole new car. The Ariya is Nissan first fully electric Crossover and forms the prelude to a new model strategy. Nissan wants to launch an entire electric family, including other SUVs and crossovers, but also sedans and compact cars.
Study and series are very similar
The Japanese took an unusually long time with the Ariya. The car was presented as a concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show in autumn 2019. The world premiere of the production version followed in July 2020, with only a few changes compared to the study. It was originally supposed to be in dealerships by the end of 2021. But nothing came of it. Supply chain problems, brand restructuring, the chip crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic formed an unfavorable mix that required a lot of patience from customers. But now the switch has finally flipped. The Ariya will be on the market this summer.
Here, however, he meets a now significant competition. VW has the ID.4 and ID.5 in its range, Skoda the Enyaq as a hatchback and as a coupé, Kia the EV6, Hyundai the Ioniq 5 and Toyota will come with the bZ4X in June. Like all the models mentioned, the Ariya is also based on a dedicated platform, i.e. a platform specially developed for the electric drive. It is called CMF-EV and was created by the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi group of companies. For example, the Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric uses the CMF architecture.
The Ariya measures 4,60 meters in length and is therefore part of the middle class. Thanks to the new EV platform and a wheelbase of 2,78 meters, there is plenty of space. The same applies to the fund. The trunk has a capacity of 468 liters and 1.775 liters with the rear seat backs folded down. For comparison: The space miracle Skoda Enyaq iV creates 1.710 liters.
Digital on the go
The cockpit aims strongly towards the future. Nissan's designers dressed it up in a very minimalistic way, emphasizing horizontal alignment. Two large screens in the usual arrangement dominate the dashboard. Classic buttons and switches are almost completely missing. Important information is reflected in the large head-up display in the windshield. A cool detail are the air conditioning controls. They are integrated into the surface of the instrument panel. Pure purism. Nevertheless, when you touch it, you have the feeling of pressing a mechanical switch. Nissan says it's "iki," which translates to "chic" in Japanese.
The Ariya also wants to keep up with the best in the industry when it comes to connectivity and digitization. The doors unlock as soon as you approach the car. Driver's seat, steering wheel, mirrors and the sliding center console move to the previously saved position. The Ariya is fully connected and always online. As with smartphones, later updates are possible “Over-the-Air” (OTA). Even Amazon Alexa Auto comes with you – as standard. A "Hello Nissan" is enough to activate it.
Also available with a few hp more
In order to be able to react specifically to each customer's personal usage profile, Nissan offers the Ariya with different drives. The entry-level version has an output of 160 kW/218 hp and a 63 kWh battery, sufficient for a range of 403 kilometers. Above that is the version with 87 kWh storage capacity and 178 kW/242 hp. Range: around 500 kilometers. The front wheels are driven on both models.
Of course, the Ariya is also available with all-wheel drive. It's called the e-4ORCE. There is one electric motor at the front and one at the back. The combined output is 205 kW/280 hp, with the top model even 290 kW/394 hp.
However, only the basic version was available for the first driving tests. But their performance also fully meets all the demands of everyday driving, especially since the 300 Newton meters of torque can be called up electrotypically from a standing start. In addition, there is the good noise insulation and the pleasant comfort. The Ariya drives smooth and relaxed. What is striking is not only the calm and suppleness, but also its handy and direct handling, disciplines that were particularly important during development. If you have other preferences, press the driving mode switch and, in addition to "Standard", you can choose between "Sport" and "Eco".
Too slow these days
The developers only gave the Ariya a single-phase charger as standard. This means that only a maximum of 7,4 kW of power can be transmitted even at a public AC column. Too little these days. Whether this also applies to the German market remains to be seen. It's quite possible that Nissan will integrate the three-phase 22 kW charger into our standard equipment. A maximum of 130 kW is possible at DC fast charging stations, so that 80 percent of the battery capacity is refilled after around 35 minutes, depending on the battery charge level. A special preconditioning of the cells is not possible.
Nissan has not yet revealed how much the Ariya will cost exactly. The order books in Germany are not to be opened until April. However, the Dutch prices mark an approximate level, where the Ariya can already be ordered. At least 47.390 euros are being called for there for the entry-level model.
Technical data
Five-door, five-seater crossover vehicle, length: 4,60 meters, width: 1,85 meters, height: 1,66 meters, wheelbase: 2,78 meters, trunk: 468 - 1.775 l
PSM electric motor; Power 160 kW/218 hp, maximum torque: 300 Nm, front-wheel drive, single-speed gearbox, 0-100 km/h: 7,5 s, Vmax: 160 km/h, net battery size: 63 kWh, range: 403 kilometers, standard consumption : 17 kWh/100 km, CO2 emissions: 0 g/km, efficiency class: A+, Price: from around 47.000 euros
PSM electric motor; Power 178 kW/242 hp, maximum torque: 300 Nm, front-wheel drive, single-speed gearbox, 0-100 km/h: 7,6 s, Vmax: 160 km/h, net battery size: 87 kWh, range: 500 kilometers, standard consumption : not specified, CO2 emissions: 0 g/km, efficiency class: A+, Price: n / a
E-Force 4WD: Two PSM electric motors; Total output 290 kW/394 hp, maximum torque: 600 Nm, all-wheel drive, single-speed gearbox 0-100 km/h: 5,1 s, Vmax: 200 km/h, net battery size: 87 kWh, range: 400 kilometers, standard consumption: kA, CO2 emissions: 0 g/km, efficiency class: A+, Price: n / a
In brief
Why: Because you trust Nissan's more than ten years of e-experience.
Why not: Because you don't like the design.
What is sonst: VW ID.4, Skoda Enyaq, Toyota bZ4X, Aiways U5, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y
When: in stores from summer.