If you’re anxious to see Nissan’s new all-electric SUV, the Nissan Ariya, which should debut in late 2021, doesn’t sound like it would disappoint. Since its current electric SUV, the Leaf, has a reputation for dependability, it will be interesting to see how the Ariya stacks up. 

According to U.S. News, Ariya’s styling won’t offer too many changes when it finally hits the dealership lots. What can we expect with it and is it worth buying?

What’s does the 2022 Nissan Ariya look like?

The only surprise that comes from the design of the 2022 Nissan Ariya is that it’s almost identical to the concept car that we saw at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. It’s quite unusual to see the stylistic design remain the same all the way to the production vehicle. It happens, but it’s really rare. 

With this model, we see that it has a black grille, small projector LED headlights, and boomerang-shaped running lights adorning the front of the SUV. In the back, we see wrap-around tail lights, and the sharp-looking slope extending from the roof and down the rear. 

On the other hand, we see much of the same style in other SUVs in the lineup. The Nissan Murano and the Rogue both have that same coupe-like slope in the back, albeit at varying degrees, though. So, maybe they just couldn’t come up with a better design than the one they had for the concept car. 

Will it be worth it?

The Ariya is Nissan’s second shot at an all-electric vehicle behind the Leaf. The two models offered for the Nissan Ariya are the Standard Range and the Long Range versions. The Standard model offers a 63 kWh battery pack, while the Long Range has an 87 kWh battery. 

No matter which one you choose, you will still have the option to pick either a front-wheel or an all-wheel drivetrain. The FWD model has only one electric motor that powers the front wheels. In a 0 to 60 mph run, the Ariya clocks in a 7.5 second time. In the AWD version, there are two motors that run the front and back wheels. 

Speed, however, is a little faster with a 5-6 second 0 to 60 mph acceleration time. When it comes to driving range, you could get around 300 miles, provided you have the Long Range with the 87 kWh battery. The other version only gets around 210-220 miles. 

Looking at its performance, it really doesn’t seem worth it, unless you choose the Long Range model and the all-wheel drivetrain. Plus, the first version in a redesign year is typically untrustworthy. The Standard version won’t offer much unless you’re looking for something to get around town in. But, even then, there are plenty of other SUVs available that would offer more value. 

What features will the 2022 Nissan Ariya have?

If you’re looking for optimal storage space, the Nissan Ariya has an average amount when compared to others in the class. Behind the rear seats, you get 23 cubic feet of storage and 60 cubic feet if you fold down the rear seats. What’s a little disappointing, though, is the fact that it doesn’t have a “frunk,” or front truck area. That could’ve brought a substantial amount of more space to compete with its rivals. 

When it comes to tech, you will get a 12.3-inch dual touchscreen infotainment system that offers smartphone integration. Other available amenities that the Nissan Ariya has, include a moonroof, head-up display, and its semi-autonomous driving feature known as the ProPilot system.

Pricing for this model is not known yet, but what we do know is that it should start around $40,000 for the Standard version. It should begin production soon and arrive in late 2021. 

When Nissan finally rolls out the Ariya on U.S. soil, we won’t likely see much difference in the styling than what we saw with the concept vehicle. Since the design isn’t really all that bad, though, it’s not likely to be a deal-breaker.