Nissan Ariya 2022 Review – International

When the Nissan Ariya eventually rocks up in Australia in 2023 it’s set to be offered with either a 63kWh or 87kWh battery and both front- and all-wheel drive powertrains.

The entry-level model will come with a front-mounted 160kW/300Nm electric motor, while the bigger battery is available with both a fractionally more powerful front-wheel drive motor (178kW/300Nm) plus a dual-motor version that pushes out 225kW/600Nm and boasts Nissan’s e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system.

With local pricing and full specifications still months away from being finalised, the European launch range provides a guide to what we might expect here.

In the UK, the cheapest 63kWh 2WD Ariya is available in the Advance model grade, priced from £43,845 ($A77,000) before subsidies.

Headline features include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, synthetic leather seat trim, dual-zone climate control with air purification, a heat pump, power-gesture tailgate and a heated front windscreen.

The standard ProPILOT suite of semi-autonomous driving aids extends to autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist recognition and junction assist, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, high beam assist and traffic sign recognition, among others.

The higher-spec Evolve adds an electric panoramic roof, a power/moving centre console, ventilated and heated synthetic leather seats, a 10-speaker premium sound system, a head-up display and digital rear-view mirror.

Whatever spec you choose, there’s dual 12.3-inch screens that incorporate a 360-degree camera, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (wired), wireless phone charging and front and rear Type-A and Type-C USB ports.

Even the base model offers DC charging up to 130kW, which is lower than rivals like the Volkswagen ID.4. However, Nissan says that instead of aiming for a high peak, the Ariya charges at the advertised rate, with a 10-80 per cent battery top-up claimed to take 30 minutes, adding up to 350km.

That’s not bad, until you remember some Hyundai and Kia EVs already offer charging at up to 350kW.

If you want the bigger 87kWh battery, that boosts the range between charges from 403km to an impressive 533km. Nissan also throws in a more powerful 22kW on-board charger in place of the standard puny 7.4kW charger.

Finally, at the top of the tree is the e-4ORCE AWD powertrain that’s offered in both Advance and Evolve grades but gets darkened chrome and badges for a moodier look.

As well as featuring a Snow mode for low-traction conditions, the most powerful dual-motor version of the Ariya can tow up to 1500kg, a step up from the standard car’s 750kg max.

The Nissan Ariya is expected to have 12-month/30,000km service intervals in Australia, where the EV will be covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty. The battery will also be covered for eight years/160,000km.

The 2022 Nissan Ariya is the first Nissan EV to be based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s all-new dedicated CMF-EV architecture.

That means it shares much beneath its skin with the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric we recently drove, although there are some subtle differences.

The first is the Ariya is a much bigger car, measuring in at 4595mm long (+396mm), 1850mm wide (+67mm) and 1655mm tall (+150mm).

Its more generous proportions translate into a considerably heavier car.

Nissan hasn’t revealed quite how much, but admits the lightest Ariya with the smallest 63kWh battery tips the scales at a hefty 1900kg, while a fully equipped dual-motor model weighs in at around 2200kg.

That means the very lightest version is around 200kg bulkier than its French cousin.

While Nissan led the development of the platform, the Nissan Ariya benefits from Renault’s next-generation motors. The resulting electrically excited synchronous motors don’t require rare earth metals and are claimed to develop more power while offering higher efficiency at highway speeds.

They also help the Ariya achieve brisk, if not breathtaking, levels of performance.

With the smaller 63kWh battery and 160kW/300Nm motor, the Ariya can sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.5 seconds and top out at a limited 160km/h, while being able to cover up to 403km (WLTP-verified) between top-ups.

Despite offering more power (178kW/300Nm), the weight of the long-range battery in the 87kWh version blunts performance, needing 7.6sec for the 0-100km/h dash, but owners are rewarded with the ability to cover up to 533km on a single charge.

The dual-motor/AWD e-4ORCE is available only with the larger 87kWh battery pack and, with 225kW/600Nm on tap, can reach 100km/h in 5.7sec on its way to a 200km/h top speed. The driving range is limited to 500km.

Later on, a Performance-branded Ariya e-4ORCE is also expected, boasting 290kW/600Nm and offering a 5.1sec 0-100km/h sprint.

It’s worth mentioning here that compared to the Tesla Model Y that has just launched in Australia, the Nissan Ariya is competitive when it comes to range but struggles for pace.

The entry-level rear-drive Model Y (from $72,300) offers 455km between charges but is much quicker, taking 6.9sec for the 0-100km/h dash.

The Model Y Performance (from $104,053), meanwhile, takes just 3.7sec to reach 100km/h from rest and has a decent range of up to 517km.

Engineers favoured packaging over ultimate driving dynamics when developing the 2022 Nissan Ariya, just like they did with the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric.

That explains why, instead of being rear-drive, it places its motor, inverter, transmission, radiators, cabin heating and air-con all under the front bonnet.

This, along with a battery pack that’s 33 per cent thinner than the one found in the Nissan LEAF, means there’s plenty of space both front and rear, with enough headroom in the second row despite the rakish styling.

Better still, beside cars like the Volkswagen ID.4 there’s even a reasonably large 466-litre boot (408L for the 4WD).

We only got the chance to drive the front-drive version of the Nissan Ariya, with the smallest 63kWh battery and least-powerful 160kW/300Nm electric motor, and it’s clear that both refinement and comfort have been the main priorities.

Despite possessing less-than-sparkling performance figures, the entry-level all-electric Nissan SUV will be brisk enough for most drivers and offers a smooth pick-up from rest.

Most surprising is that even on country roads, or highways, the Nissan still manages to leave enough in reserve for punchy overtakes.

For Europe, and the cars Australia will receive, further tweaks to the suspension have been made since we last drove the Ariya, with new springs and dampers introduced for better high-speed stability.

These have been combined with a retuned power steering system that has greater self-centring.

Adaptive dampers are not available, which is not a deal breaker as most of the time the Ariya offers admirable comfort, but the ride does get busy over less-than-perfect roads.

Find some entertaining roads and despite lacking Nissan’s trick e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system (that uses the motors to manage pitch, dive and body roll), the Ariya hangs on well.

It helps that even in two-wheel drive format there’s still a near-optimum 48:52 front/rear weight distribution and a multi-link rear suspension that curbs understeer and helps mask a kerb weight some 200kg heavier than the closely-related Megane E-Tech EV.

Another bonus is smooth braking that is almost impossible to detect when brake regeneration is occurring, even though it isn’t adjustable in the Nissan.

Like the Nissan LEAF, the e-Pedal carries over and is largely useless as, unlike its rivals, the one-pedal driving doesn’t actually bring the car to a halt.

A more advanced version is being worked on that will use the AEB radar and Lidar sensors to more accurately calculate how much regen is required and when and where to deploy it.

Highway speeds, meanwhile, produce a whisper-quiet experience in the Ariya.

Beyond driving performance, one of the main reasons you’ll considering buying Nissan’s new EV is its pretty wonderful cabin.

Not only does it offer space from the segment above, the Ariya’s interior design and outstanding fit and finish translate to Nissan’s most convincing attempt yet at offering a premium model.

Better still is the attention to detail. It’s hard not to love the real wood dash that stretches across the cabin and offers delightful haptic climate control switches.

Then there’s the injection of Nissan’s Japanese heritage. We’re talking about paper-lantern graphics dotted throughout, the clever ambient lighting and the design that makes the Ariya feel downright special beside its rivals.

Even gimmicks like the ‘magic box’ that slides out from the lower half of the dash and can safely store valuables is useful, while the power-operated centre console that slides forward or rearward to maximise front or rear passenger space is a clever touch.

Finally, the twin 12.3-inch screens and head-up display are also intuitive, clear and easy to use and lack the fussiness of its rivals.

The more time you spend with the 2022 Nissan Ariya, the more likeable it is.

Clearly benefiting from two generations of LEAF and a decade at the forefront of EV development, the Ariya is one of the most convincing electric cars money can buy.

Not that we know how much Nissan’s new EV will cost when it eventually arrives in Australia – and pricing will be crucial as competition is hotting up in this segment.

Of course, it’s not perfect.

We wish it were quicker and sharper to drive, but we think many buyers will warm to its refined, grown-up approach to all-electric motoring and adore its contemporary feel both inside and out.

For now, it feels like the Ariya is a landmark Nissan and the car-maker’s first truly desirable EV.

How much does the 2023 Nissan Ariya 2WD 63kWh cost?
Price: $70,000 estimated (plus on-road costs)
Available: 2023
Powertrain: Electrically excited synchronous motor
Output: 160kW/300Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 63kWh lithium-ion
Range: 403km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 17.6kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested

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