2023 Nissan Ariya Review: An Unassuming Electric SUV With Futuristic Class
2023 Nissan Ariya Review Highlights:
- 2023 Nissan Ariya: $43,190 – $60,190
- Pros: The Nissan Ariya has a spacious, comfortable, and quiet cabin. It also has a very smooth ride and a decent electric range.
- Cons: The Ariya’s styling may not be for everyone.
The Nissan Ariya is the brand’s latest all-electric offering that slots next to its smaller stablemate, the Leaf. The Ariya joins the budding EV SUV segment, which includes rivals like the Tesla Model S, Lexus RZ, and the Hyundai Kona Electric. However, the Ariya has a unique sense of futuristic and classy styling.
I drove the Ariya around for a week and enjoyed everything it offered, including a comfortable interior, a decent amount of electric range, and plenty of power. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Ariya lasts a long time in the lineup, just like the Leaf has for over a decade.
How does the 2023 Nissan Ariya drive?
The 2023 Nissan Ariya provides a quiet and serene driving experience thanks to its well-insulated cabin. I didn’t detect much wind noise, even during the thunderstorm in Denver, but there was a little road noise. However, I attribute some of that noisiness to the car’s large 20-inch wheels. I suspect the lower Ariya trim level’s 19-inch wheels could ride a little quieter.
Regarding driving dynamics, the Nissan Ariya took off the line quickly and seamlessly, thanks to its dual-motor electric setup. Its steering was a little vague and numb, but most drivers likely won’t care about that. Also, its suspension soaked up road imperfections well, and driving over speed bumps was easy due to the car’s high ride height.
The visibility out of all four corners was great, and the Intelligent Around-View monitor and digital mirror made parking easy. My tester also had the Park Assist feature, which takes care of the steering when parallel parking and backing into spaces.
My only gripe is the way the brake pedal feels. As a disclaimer, Nissan left a note in the car saying that my Ariya tester was a pre-production model, so all of the kinks may not have worked out yet. That said, the brake pedal felt squishy, and the brakes felt like they would only “bite” halfway down the pedal travel.
If you have ever driven a car with worn brake pads or rotors, the sensation was similar. It also made me second-guess Ariya’s ability to brake in certain situations, but luckily, the car stopped just fine. My best guess is that the extra brake pedal travel assists with the car’s e-Step system, which automatically presses the brake when you let off the accelerator to regenerate energy for the battery.
Which 2023 Nissan Ariya trim level is best?
There are nine different Nissan Ariya trim levels to choose from:
- Nissan Ariya Engage FWD: $43,190
- Nissan Ariya Venture + FWD: $47,190
- Nissan Ariya Engage AWD: $47,190
- Nissan Ariya Evolve + FWD: $50,190
- Nissan Ariya Engage + AWD: $51,190
- Nissan Ariya Empower + FWD: $53,690
- Nissan Ariya Evolve + AWD: $54,190
- Nissan Ariya Premiere FWD: $54,690
- Nissan Ariya Platinum + AWD: $60,190
None of these prices include the manufacturer’s destination charge of $1,335. As we can see, there is a dizzying amount of trim levels for the Nissan Ariya, each with a catchy name. However, we recommend going for at least the Venture + model with its extended battery range.
Although the base Ariya Engage model is cheaper than a Tesla Model Y but competitive with a few other EVs, we’re not keen on its smaller battery pack and a 216-mile range. The Venture + model, on the other hand, allows for up to 304 miles of range.
Does the 2023 Ariya have good tech?
The Nissan Ariya has an array of tech-savvy features, including two 12.3-inch screens, a Bose premium audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. My favorite feature is the voice command system that activates when you say, “Hey, Nissan.” After that, give a command like “I’m cold” or “navigate to (address),” and the system will automatically respond.
Other high-tech features include the ProPilot Assist 2.0 system, which allows for hands-free driving using the car’s sensors and adaptive cruise control. It works well on the freeway as it keeps the car between the lines without any ping-pong action, like in some vehicles.
Another cool feature is the hidden drawer that pops out of the dashboard. A push of a button on the center console opens and closes it, which makes for a cool party trick and a handy storage solution. There’s also a powered center console that moves forward and back with the push of a button.
Does the Ariya have good power and electric range?
Since the Nissan Ariya’s battery and power specs can be confusing, here is a breakdown:
2023 Nissan Ariya Engage
63-kWh lithium-ion battery
Single motor, front-wheel drive
214 horsepower
221 lb-ft of torque
Estimated range: 216 miles
Level 2 Charge (0-100%): 10.5 hours
Quick charge (20-80% with 130+ kW): 35 minutes
2023 Nissan Ariya Venture+
87-kWh lithium-ion battery
Single motor, front-wheel drive
238 horsepower
221 lb-ft of torque
Estimated range: 304 miles
Level 2 charge (0-100%): 14 hours
Quick charge (20-80% with 130+ kW): 40 minutes
2023 Nissan Ariya Evolve+, Empower+ and Premier
87-kWh lithium-ion battery
Single motor, front-wheel drive
238 horsepower
221 lb-ft of torque
Estimated range: 289 miles
Level 2 Charge (0-100%): 14 hours
Quick charge (20-80% with 130+ kW): 40 minutes
2023 Nissan Ariya Engage e-4orce (e-4orce = all-wheel drive)
66-kWh lithium-ion battery
Dual-motor, all-wheel drive
335 horsepower
413 lb-ft of torque
Nissan estimated range: 205 miles
Quick charge (20-80% with 130+ kW): 35 minutes
2023 Nissan Ariya Engage+ e-4orce, Evolve+ e-4orce and Platinum+ e-4orce
87-kWh lithium-ion battery
Dual-motor, all-wheel drive
389 horsepower
442 lb-ft of torque
Nissan estimated range: 270 miles (265 for Platinum+ e-4orce)
Quick charge (20-80% with 130+ kW): 40 minutes
Is the Nissan Ariya comfortable?
Yes, the Nissan Ariya’s cabin is spacious and comfortable. There’s plenty of leg and headroom upfront, and the “Zero Gravity” seats are very comfortable. Rear-seat passengers will be comfortable, too, as there is no hump on the floor. There are also a couple of USB ports for charging and heated outboard seats.
What is the Ariya’s cargo capacity?
The Ariya’s backseat folds flat, which enhances its cargo-carrying capacity. Nissan says it has 16.5 cubic feet of storage space in the front-drive models and 14.6 cubic feet in the AWD models. What makes the Ariya’s cargo hold even better is its divider that creatively uses the space and the under-floor storage area to conceal items when needed.
How safe is the Nissan Ariya?
Although the NHTSA and the IIHS have not rated the Nissan Ariya yet, there are plenty of safety features to keep its occupants safe. Some of the most notable standard and available safety features include:
- Nissan Safety Shield 360: A package that bundles various features like — adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear cross-traffic alert.
- Around-view monitor: A top-down view camera system
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Pro Pilot Assist 2.0
MotorBiscuit awards the 2023 Nissan Ariya with a score of 8.5 out of 10
The editors at MotorBiscuit award the 2023 Nissan Ariya with an overall score of 8.5 out of 10. The Nissan Ariya gets a lot right for an electric SUV and competes well within the segment. We like its bold exterior looks and futuristic interior with its floating dashboard design.
The Ariya has plenty of power, which comes on instantaneously, as you would expect from an electric vehicle. We didn’t like the car’s brakes, but it handles well when driving around town and on the freeway. Additionally, its cabin is quiet, which makes the mile slip by with ease.
Furthermore, the Ariya’s range is more-than-adequate and didn’t leave us feeling anxious during the week we had the car. Overall, the Ariya presents a good value for its price point, but we do wish that it was priced a little lower.
