This compact SUV has an estimated 300-mile driving range

By Mike Monticello

Nissan says it will bring its first-ever all-electric SUV to the U.S. in late 2022 with the introduction of the Ariya. The compact SUV will start at $46,000 and has an estimated driving range of up to 300 miles.

At 183 inches long, the two-row, five-passenger Ariya is similar in size to Nissan’s Rogue compact SUV. It will come in both standard and long-range versions, with either front- or all-wheel drive. The estimated 300 miles of range applies to the front-wheel-drive model with long-range battery. Front-drive versions come to market first.

Here is what we know so far.

What it competes with: Ford Mustang Mach-E, Subaru Solterra, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ4X
What it looks like: A smoother but much more generic and less angular Nissan Murano SUV, with slim, futuristic headlights
Powertrain: 238 hp from a single electric motor, 389 hp from two electric motors (AWD); 1-speed direct drive; front- or all-wheel drive
Price: $45,950 to $58,950
On-sale date: Fall 2022

CR’s Take

Nissan got into the electric vehicle game early, with the introduction of the all-electric Leaf for the 2011 model year. Although the Leaf was the first widely available and affordable electric car, it has never been a particularly strong model. The most recently updated versions of the Leaf haven’t fared all that well in CR’s testing because of a driving range of just 149 miles for the Leaf and 215 miles for Leaf Plus. While both Leaf models are quiet and have easy access, they suffer from an awkward driving position and are short on handling agility.

The Ariya provides Nissan with a chance to give customers a truly competitive offering in the ever-changing EV landscape, but moving the on-sale date from fall 2021 to fall 2022 means it will face even more electric SUVs in that price range.

Photo: Nissan

Outside

Nissan says the Ariya is based on an all-new EV platform with a 109-inch-long wheelbase. It will ride on either 19-inch or 20-inch wheels.

Nissan says the Ariya represents the company’s new design language, which is referred to as “Timeless Japanese Futurism.” We think the Ariya looks smoother but also more generic and less angular than Nissan’s Murano SUV, though it does have slim, futuristic headlights.

Photo: Nissan

Inside

The Ariya is a two-row, five-passenger SUV. The cabin features a minimalist design, with lots of smooth surfaces and an uncluttered appearance. A large, horizontal display screen serves as both the driver’s instrument cluster and the infotainment system.

The center console is adjustable and includes a dedicated spot to store a cell phone. The EV platform allows for a completely flat floor, which gives rear passengers—especially the one in the center seat—more foot space. The all-wheel-drive model has about 2 cubic feet less cargo volume than the front-drive model.

The Ariya will have wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and will also include Amazon’s Alexa. Nissan says over-the-air firmware updates will keep the Ariya “feeling fresh and exciting.”

Photo: Nissan

What Drives It

The Ariya will be available as both a single-motor front-wheel-drive version and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive model, the e-4orce. Single-motor models make 238 hp while the dual-motor models produce 389 hp.

Nissan’s estimated 300-mile driving range is for the front-wheel-drive model equipped with the long-range battery. The range is greatest for the base version, decreasing to 285 miles for the front-drive Ariya Evolve, and down to 265 miles for the AWD Ariya Platinum.

Photo: Nissan

Safety & Driver Assistance Systems

Nissan says all Ariya models will come standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of active driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning with rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams.

The Ariya will be available with a ProPilot Assist 2.0 system that uses driver monitoring to allow hands-off-the-wheel operation on highways, making sure the driver continues to pay attention in case they need to take control of the vehicle.

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