New evaluation of the 2025 Nissan Ariya: A blend of comfort, fashion, and functionality in the brand's premium electric sports utility vehicle

The much-anticipated Nissan Ariya, the Japanese automaker's flagship electric vehicle (EV), is set to make its Australian debut. With customer deliveries commencing in early September, local buyers can now place orders for the Ariya through Nissan's dealer network or website.

Key Features and Specifications

The Nissan Ariya offers a stylish design, standard all-wheel drive (AWD) on many trims, and advanced driver-assistance features. However, it has a lower towing capacity of 1,500 lbs and slower DC fast charging speeds, up to 130 kW, compared to many competitors. The Ariya uses the CMF-EV platform shared with Renault models and comes with two battery options: a 63kWh pack offering a claimed range of 402km, and an 87kWh version stretching to 530km.

The Advance and Evolve models, equipped with the 87kWh battery, are considered the sweet spot in the Ariya's range for balance, comfort, range, and value. The range-topping 320kW Nismo variant, while quickest with a 0-100km/h time of 5.0 seconds, drops the Ariya's range to 420km.

Interior and Storage

The Ariya's cabin boasts a flat floor, generous footwells, and a sliding center console for easy maneuverability. Storage options include twin gloveboxes, large door bins, and USB-A and USB-C ports for rear passengers on higher trims. Inside, quality materials, clever use of ambient lighting, and haptic climate controls create a premium feel. The twin 12.3-inch displays are clear, with logical menus and standard wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.

Pricing and Warranty

Announced Australian pricing for the Nissan ARIYA is as follows: ENGAGE - $55,840, ADVANCE - $59,840, ADVANCE 87kWh - $63,840, and EVOLVE e-4ORCE - $71,840 (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices do not include premium paint, statutory charges, or other on-road costs). All Australian-delivered Ariyas will be covered by Nissan's 10-year/300,000km service-activated warranty, flat-price servicing, roadside assistance, and an eight-year battery capacity guarantee.

Competition

The Nissan Ariya will compete directly against the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Tesla Model Y. While the Ariya offers solid features, it trails these competitors in towing capacity, charging speed, and efficiency. Tesla leads in software-driven features and charging infrastructure, while Hyundai and Kia offer better efficiency and innovative features like vehicle-to-load (V2L) power export.

| Feature / Model | Nissan Ariya | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kia EV6 | Tesla Model Y | |--------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | Towing Capacity | 1,500 lbs | 2,300 lbs | Similar to Ioniq 5 (around 2,300 lbs) | 3,500 lbs | | DC Fast Charging | Up to 130 kW (20-80% in 40 min) | Up to 233 kW (faster charging times) | Similar high-speed charging | Very fast Supercharging network | | Efficiency | ~36.3 kWh/100 mi (less efficient) | More efficient than Ariya | Comparable or slightly better | Highly efficient | | Driving Range | Moderate ranges (varies by battery) | Up to ~614 km WLTP (Ioniq 6 as example) | Similar or slightly better | Competitive ranges depending on variant | | Interior Space | Good but less spacious than some | Nearly as spacious as Tesla Model Y | Spacious interior | Spacious and well-rated | | Advanced Driver Assists| Good standard but less advanced than Tesla | Lane assist less smooth than Tesla | Similar to Ioniq in assist | Leading semi-autonomous features | | Warranty | Standard Nissan warranty | Similar industry standards | Similar industry standards | Comparable | | X-factor / Unique Feature* | Solid but no standout features; slower charging and weaker towing | Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) power supply capability | Sportier styling and performance | Autopilot & Full Self-Driving (FSD) options; superior software and integration |

In summary, the Nissan Ariya is an attractive EV with solid features, but it trails competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Tesla Model Y in towing capacity, charging speed, and efficiency. Tesla leads in software-driven features and charging infrastructure, while Hyundai and Kia offer better efficiency and innovative features like V2L.

[1] Nissan Ariya: Efficiency, Range, and Competition [2] Tesla Model Y: Full Self-Driving Capability [3] Hyundai Ioniq 5: Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) Power Supply [4] Kia EV6: Efficiency, Range, and Competition

New evaluation of the 2025 Nissan Ariya: A blend of comfort, fashion, and functionality in the brand's premium electric sports utility vehicle