2023 Nissan Ariya

“That car is so cute!” Two minutes into our first drive of the new 2023 Nissan Ariya EV, the court of random public opinion had already weighed in. The comment came from a mid-30ish woman in a 2011 Altima as we navigated downtown Nashville traffic in an Ariya Premiere clad in its signature Sunrise Copper Pearl exterior color. “It’s electric—the new Nissan Ariya,” we replied, generating a knowing smile from the unsolicited commenter. If you subscribe to the theory that you only get one chance to make a first impression, it seems the new Ariya, anecdotally anyhow, is off to a good start. 

Objectively, the Ariya is the latest EV to join the Nissan lineup. Measuring 182.9 inches long, 74.8 inches wide and riding on a 109.3-inch wheelbase, the Ariya is 4.9 inches longer, 4.3 inches wider and sports a 3-inch larger wheelbase than the Nissan Leaf EV. But, thanks to advancements in design and EV powertrain packaging, the Ariya’s useable interior space feels far more accommodating than the raw numbers reveal. It lands square in the heart of the emerging compact hatchback-cum-SUV EV segment, going up against the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4. 

Though the Ariya lineup starts with the $44,485 Engage trim with the standard 65 kWh battery and a claimed 217 miles of range and extends to the $61,498 Platinum all-wheel drive model, consumers seem to be zeroing in on models with a 300-mile range—plus or minus—as the standard for comparison shopping. It’s worth noting that the Ariya goes on sale in late fall 2022, initial orders will be limited to front-wheel drive models only. Fittingly, we drove a Premier trim with the extended range 87 kWh battery and a single motor rated at 304 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque driving the front wheels. Priced at $55,985 (including a $1,295 destination fee), it offers a claimed range of 289 miles.

A quick review of the competition reveals several different range vs. price strategies. For instance, a similarly equipped Ford Mach-E model with a single 276-hp motor starts around $56,275 but offers only 247 miles of range. (Opting for the extended-range 306 Mach-E battery adds $8,600.) The Volkswagen ID.4 Pro rear-wheel drive with a 280-mile estimated range is $42,525, and the Ioniq 5 SE with a 303-mile range is $45,295. (The base model Ioniq 5 is just $41,245, but that’s for the 220-mile version.)  The Ariya is also unique as it is front-wheel drive, whereas the primary competitors are rear-wheel drive in their two-wheel drive variations. Also, unlike the Mustang and the 2023 VW ID.4, the Ariya is scheduled to be assembled in Japan, which may eliminate or negate any potential federal tax credits based on the new legislation. U.S. production of the Ariya is still an open question. 

Our top-tier Premier trim Ariya was fully equipped in the true sense of the word, featuring every option aside from AWD. The list includes a panoramic sunroof, Pro Pilot Assist 2.0 (“Level 2+” driving assistance), parking assist, power seats, a power moveable center console, a power liftgate, 19-inch alloy wheels and more. What all trims have in common is an expansive dashboard top constructed of very average plastic. It sits atop a beautifully minimalistic instrument panel comprised of a pair of 12.3-inch wide horizontally mounted screens. Both are configurable, the instrument panel screen displaying vital driver data including speed, charge status Pro Pilot data, while the second handles navigation and infotainment. It’s a textbook example of how restrained, intuitive functionality doesn’t have to be dull or unimaginative. 

On the road, the Ariya hits all the EV marks: The surge of torque makes merging safe and enjoyable, the ride is smooth, and the ride is whisper quiet, even on the highway. Nissan’s Pro Pilot Assist works with a deft touch, keeping a steady hand on the wheel when engaged while keeping the driver informed of emerging traffic situations and potential preemptive actions. Exterior styling aside, the Ariya’s greatest asset is its ability to perform as a well-rounded vehicle, a functional compact SUV that happens to be an EV. 

Performance: 11/15

The Ariya is available with front or all-wheel drive with either a 63 kWh battery paired with a 214-horsepower electric motor or an extended-range 87 kWh battery paired with a 238-horsepower motor. We found our Premiere trim with front-wheel drive and the 87 kWh battery and more powerful motor to provide more than adequate acceleration for daily driving. The sheer amount of torque from the step-off tickles the senses, and Nissan claims zero-to-60 times of approximately 4.8 to 7.2 seconds, dependent on the powertrain. As is the case with many EVs, the sensation of speed feels still feels unique due to the lack of engine noise and ultra-quiet cabin.  

Thanks to a near 50/50 weight distribution and the low center of gravity provided by the battery pack, the Ariya displays comparatively neutral handling. Of course, the front will push wide under extreme duress, but even a rapid lane change at speed to avoid debris in the roadway was accomplished with minimal drama. 

Range, Energy Use & Charging:  11/15

Nissan stands firm on its range estimates of 289 miles for extended-range models and 216 miles of the standard battery in the base Engage model. (The Venture+ is the long-range specialist, claiming 304 miles of range.) Our extended-range front-wheel drive model showed 201 miles remaining after 73.9 miles of mixed driving, with the battery still retaining 73% of its capacity. So simple napkin math indicates we were on schedule to hit near 275 to 300 miles of range. 

All models include 130-kW DC fast charging and a 7.2-kW onboard charger for 110 volt home charging; a 120V-240V portable charge cable is standard on all models but the Venture+, which gets a 120V cable.  

Charging time required to replenish the battery from 20% to 80% with a 130-kWh fast charger is a claimed 40 minutes (35 minutes for the smaller battery) and 90 minutes (65 for the smaller battery) when connected to a 50-kWh charger. Level 2 charging, as with a typical 240V home setup, is less optimistic; Nissan estimates peg 14 hours (10.5 hours for smaller battery) to go from 0 to 100%. Though it sounds daunting, most users rarely run the battery below 25% and can expect a full recharge at home overnight. 

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 14/15

The 2023 Nissan Ariya was finally tested in late 2023 by both NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and IIHS (the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). NHTSA gave it the max five-star rating overall and IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+ in December 2023, its highest designation, but only for vehicles built after March 2023. Nissan adjusted the headlights which had previously received a marginal rating.

The Ariya comes with a comprehensive set of active safety features. Standard content includes 10 airbags for front and rear passengers, emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, intelligent cruise with distance control, rear cross traffic, automatic rear braking, traffic sign recognition and more. 

The crown jewel, of course, is Pro Pilot Assist 2.0. Utilizing eight cameras, 12 sensors, five radar streams and the native mapping and navigation system, it operates in three modes: White, which is the standard radar cruise control with following distance control and all safety features in place; Green which incorporates gentle steering assist for changing lanes; and Blue, which provides actual hands-off operation as long as certain conditions are met (eyes forward, road included in 200,000 miles of mapped highways and weather concerns, among others). It can also suggest lane changes and gently assist the steering wheel once hands are returned to the wheel; it does not perform them automatically. As these systems go, we found it accurate, consistent and free of false alarms, though not quite yet at the level of General Motors’ Super Cruise system.

Comfort & Room: 11/15

The Ariya gets a jump start on comfort with a new interpretation of the maker’s excellent zero-gravity seating. Offering a nice blend of support and cushioning, they are complemented by a wide-open floor and decent hip and shoulder room. The console moves fore and aft via an electric motor, which adds to the cabin’s open, “floating” feeling. If there is a crunch point, it’s headroom; taller drivers, say over 6-feet, will find their heads brushing against the frame of the panoramic sunroof.

Ariya offers a maximum of 37 inches of rear seat room compared to 39.4-inches for the Ioniq 5, 38.1 for the Mustang Mach-E and 37.6 for the ID.4. The numbers are less intimidating in real-world use, and rear HVAC vents and USB connectors help keep the passengers from revolting. 

Infotainment: 12/15

All Ariya’s get a pair of 12.3-inch screens to access or visualize nearly every function in the vehicle. The drive info display is controlled via the usual steering wheel controls, as are a few infotainment functions. Configurable options let you bounce specific infotainment data to the diver’s screen or blend it with Pro Pilot or navigation data, so owners will want to take time to familiarize themselves and program the screens to their liking. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is navigation, Amazon Alexa, Satellite radio (subscription required) and a six-speaker audio system. There’s a standard 12V power port in front, two USB ports up front and two in back (one standard and one USB-C each).  

Though some users will undoubtedly mourn the lack of physical controls, the steering wheel controls are assisted by a streamlined flip toggle switch on the middle dash that can help direct infotainment functions.

Cargo Space & Storage: 11/15

In addition to the novel moveable center console, the Ariya features a large electrically operated drawer that extends from underneath the center of the dash. It’s a convenient catch-all that doesn’t disrupt the cabin’s minimalist design, though we hope there is a manual release should the motor fail. The console features a pair of cupholders under a retractable louvered panel, and some pockets are located low in the doors. But, again, there’s little prominent storage to interfere with the minimalist design. 

Cargo room sorts out to 22.8 cubic-feet behind the second row and 59.7 cubes with it folded. The Ioniq 5 offers 27.2 and 59.3, and the Mustang Mach-E 29.7 and 59.7. The ID.4 takes top honors in both metrics with 30.3 and 64.2 cubic-feet, respectively.  

Style & Design: 8/10

If you like Nissan’s recent design direction, you’ll enjoy the Ariya. Nissan refers to it as “Timeless Japanese Futurism,” in reference to a blend of simplicity and power. The copper with black accent finish on the model we drove is said to reflect a color philosophy termed Akatsuki, which “expresses the moment just before dawn, as the sun marks the beginning of a new day.” We say it looks like an obvious evolution of the current Nissan design, with just enough unique elements—particularly in the fascia—to let onlookers know it’s an EV.

The interior follows a similar theme; mildly clever and unique but never weird or ostentatious. However, we drove pre-production models, and the interior fit was a little loose in spots, and the quality of the plastics, particularly in the dash top on door panels, could be improved.

Is the 2023 Nissan Ariya Worth it? Which Ariya is the Best Value? 

The Ariya lineup is a bit convoluted, but it stacks up like this: Engage ($44,485; AWD $48,485; AWD extended range $52,485), Venture+ ($48,485 FWD), Evolve+ ($51,490; AWD $55,485), Empower+ ($54,985 FWD only), Premiere $55,985 FWD only) and Platinum ($61,485 AWD only). The “standard” range battery is only available on the Engage trim. 

Were we writing the check, we’d go for the Evolve+ FWD with one caveat. Priced at $51,590, it includes the power sunroof, power-adjustable seating, wireless device charging and the power center console; basically, everything on the Premier but the bespoke wheels. That said, if we had lots of highway travel in the future, we’d spend the extra $3,500 to upgrade to the Empower+ FWD, as it includes the excellent Pro Pilot Level 2 driving assist system. (All prices include a $1,295 destination fee.)

Unfortunately, hampered by supply chain issues and the pandemic, the release of the Ariya was delayed and is currently available for order in limited quantities of front-wheel drive models only.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2023 Nissan Ariya?

The Ariya is so new we don’t have accurate insurance data yet. However, we know that the Nissan Leaf averages around $2,165 annually for a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record, though this averages all 50 states. That compares to $2,150 for the VW ID.4, $2,250 for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and $2,244 for the Ford Mach-E Select. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.