Nissan Ariya Review 2024

Nissan Ariya At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The Nissan Ariya is a case of better late than never, proving a worthy competitor to the best electric SUVs around right now. We love the cabin design and the space, and it seems to drive well on first impressions. Boot space and peak charging speeds aren't class-leading, however.

+Cabin design and quality feels as step above many rivals. Bespoke look from other Nissans. Generally good to drive.

-Peak charging speeds aren't the best. Rivals have bigger boots. Haptic cabin controls aren't as easy to use as proper buttons.

New prices start from £41,845

The new Nissan Ariya is an electric SUV that's taken its time to come to market. Despite an abundance of rivals, our review shows that it's a very competitive car that, a few niggles aside, deserves to be on your shopping list if you're ready to make the switch to an EV but need a practical SUV bodystyle. 

We weren't expecting the Nissan Ariya to take so long to go on sale. After all, Nissan beat pretty much everyone to the punch with the Leaf, which in 2011 showed electric cars didn't have to be expensive with niche appeal. 

Nissan has enjoyed plenty of success with two generations of the Leaf, but it's taken a surprisingly long time to capitalise on that with another EV. What's more, the Ariya was first revealed in production form a full two years ago, yet orders have only just opened. You can thank the combination of a pandemic and Nissan's former CEO becoming a wanted fugitive for that. 

Anyway, the Nissan Ariya is here, it's available to order and it better be good, because in that time there's been a glut of rival electric family SUVs hitting showrooms. The brilliant Kia EV6 has set the standard, as has the Skoda Enyaq, while there's also the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-e, VW ID 4 and Volvo XC40 Recharge, to name but a few. 

Coupe-SUV styling that's totally different from the Qashqai helps the Ariya make an impression, even if it isn't quite the boldest design on the market. But it has a clear SUV stance and raised body, whereas some EVs such as the (otherwise fantastic) Hyundai Ioniq 5 are more like giant hatchbacks. 

That means you get a raised driving position, more ground clearance and loads of space for passengers - although the Ariya's boot capacity is unremarkable. More importantly for many is how classy the Ariya's cabin is, with clever tech, nice finishes and lots of neat details that help it stand out in a crowded class. 

In terms of motors and batteries, the Nissan Ariya can be had in two battery sizes with three power outputs. There are cheaper single motor and pricier (but faster) dual-motor variants, with a competitive maximum range on a charge of up to 329 miles. The Ariya doesn't lead the way in terms of peak charging speeds, however. 

But it is good to drive, on our limited initial impressions at least. Nissan has struck a nice balance between ride comfort and handling, meaning it works well around town and on a motorway cruise but there is still some fun to be had. 

Want a second opinion? Check out heycar's review of the Nissan Ariya

Ask Honest John

Can electric cars tow a caravan?

"It will apparently be possible to tow with the new Nissan Ariya. If so, what weight? Surely the range will be devastated. Also, is anyone planning to provide charging bays for tow cars with their trailers? Can the same be said of any similar priced EVs?"
Yes, the Nissan Ariya will be able to tow up to 1500kg. That's pretty good and enough to tow a small caravan. Electric cars actually make quite a lot of sense for towing - their instant pulling power means it should be a pretty easy and relaxed experience. As you say, though, it'd be interesting to see how much the range is hammered with a caravan in tow. Currently, only expensive electric SUVs like the Tesla Model X, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Audi e-tron And Jaguar I-Pace are rated for towing. We're not aware of any companies providing charging bays for tow cars with trailers.
Answered by Andrew Brady
More Questions

What does a Nissan Ariya cost?