- Nissan's first electric vehicle since the Leaf hatchback has arrived.
- The Ariya SUV is stylish, capable, and has a few tricks up its sleeve.
- It shows that the EV trailblazer still has what it takes to compete with the best EVs out there.
Thanks for signing up!
Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app
Advertisement
Long before Tesla became a household name, Nissan was the electric-vehicle pioneer making headlines.
It released the Leaf, a vaguely egg-shaped hatchback with 73 miles of range, way back in 2010, when Tesla was still a tiny startup making electric sports cars with borrowed chassis. The products that propelled Tesla to worldwide success were all years away.
Twitter was in its infancy. Elon Musk was a mere hundred millionaire. It was a simpler time.
Despite the Leaf's success and some improvements over the years, more than a decade without a new electric model has left the one-time trailblazer lagging behind in the EV race. The 2023 Ariya SUV is Nissan's next act.
Advertisement
Delivering loads more comfort, style, and capability than the aging Leaf, the Ariya proves that even after a hiatus Nissan is ready to go toe-to-toe with today's top EVs.
The basics
The Ariya landed in the US earlier this year with a starting retail price of $43,190. There are several trims to choose from, two battery sizes, and a hard-to-pronounce all-wheel-drive option called "e-4ORCE."
Nissan lent me a front-wheel-drive Ariya Empower+, which came out to $59,495, including a destination fee and some fancy extras like carpeted floor mats, a $350 two-tone paint job, and eye-catching wheels for $1,900.
Its biggest rivals are other compact electric SUVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Volkswagen ID.4, all of which have been around for years.
Advertisement
