Nissan has just lifted the curtain on its
first-ever all-electric crossover, the Ariya. Widely regarded as an anti-Tesla
Model Y weapon, the 2022 Nissan Ariya is the brand’s first all-new global model
in five years, one that symbolizes the automaker’s road to recovery. However,
one should not expect wonders from the Ariya and Nissan is the first to
acknowledge that.
The Japanese automaker has made no
compromises when developing its new EV and that is reflected in its price.
Developed from the get-go as an electric vehicle, the Ariya starts from around
5 million yen (US$ 47,000) in Japan. It features the brand’s latest self-driving
technologies and the new e-4ORCE dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
drivetrain.
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.
The Ariya has the chance for Nissan to
give customers a truly competitive offering in the ever-changing EV landscape.
It appears to be more luxurious and substantial than the Chevrolet Bolt,
Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro EVs, while, with a starting price of around US$ 40,000,
undercuts the Tesla Model Y and the upcoming Ford Mustang Mach-E.
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.
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 as well as 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.”
The Ariya will be available as both a
single-motor front-wheel-drive version and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive model,
which Nissan refers to as “e-4ORCE.” Single-motor models make 215 horsepower
while the dual-motor models produce 389 hp. Either version can be ordered with
the standard or long-range battery size; Nissan’s estimated 300-mile driving
range is for the front-wheel-drive model equipped with the long-range battery.
Nissan says all Ariya models will come
standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of advanced 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 over
control of the vehicle.
