2023 Nissan Ariya Electric

To offer a trim level for shoppers with various budget limits, the 2023 Nissan Ariya will be offered in six different trim levels and the names of each of them have been kept quite unique as well. The trim lineup starts off with the base Engage trim with a starting price tag of $44,485. At that sticker price, the SUV comes quite well-equipped with features such as a power-sliding center console, all-LED exterior lights, heating for both the front and rear seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a heads-up display. The upper Venture+ trim forgoes some creature comfort features such as heated and power-adjustable seats along with faux leather upholstery since it gains more driving range with a bigger battery pack. Likewise, as you move up the trim ladder, the SUV gets more equipped with features. However, both the Empower+ and the Premiere trims don’t add any significant features but the top-end Platinum+ trim tops it off with some handsome additions such as a standard dual-motor configuration, hands-free function for the liftgate, and ventilated front seats among a few others.

We Recommend

We would recommend the Evolve+ trim since it is the most value-for-money option in the entire lineup. However, you can opt for the base trim since it gets almost plenty of things covered.

Release Date

The 2023 Nissan Ariya has been made official with a limited amount of details made publicly available. However, we expect the electric crossover to hit the roads by early 2023.

To satisfy the hunger to know more about the 2023 Ariya’s drivetrain, Nissan has released almost all the details about it. Propelling the Ariya will be a 3-phase AC induction motor in its base version while the dual-motor versions get another motor at the rear axle. When equipped with one extra motor, the SUV will be an AWD vehicle and Nissan has decided to call the powertrain e-4orce. In its base form with the single motor and the lower 67kWh battery pack, the powertrain generates a maximum of 214 horsepower along with 221 lb-ft of torque. When equipped with the bigger 87kWh battery, the same motor pushes out a maximum of 238 horsepower while the torque output remains the same. Once the SUV gets the dual-motor setup, the output figures jump to 335 horsepower along with 413 lb-ft of torque with the 67kWh battery. With the bigger 87kWh battery, the output further increases to an impressive 389 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. Even in its base form, the power output figures from the single motor are decent enough as compared to the rivals in the segment but the actual performance can be ascertained once the SUV hits the roads for good. However, according to some unofficial information, the SUV is expected to run the 0-60mph sprint within 7.2 seconds while the quarter-mile run will take 15.8 seconds when equipped with the base motor.

The Kia EV6 gets a single permanent magnet synchronous motor as its powertrain along with a single-speed direct drive gearbox. With this setup, the EV6 pushes out a decent 225 horsepower along with 258 lb-ft of torque. Due to the higher power and torque count, the EV6 is quicker than the Ariya, at least on paper. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has a similar powertrain setup to the EV6 hence, its output numbers and acceleration times are quite similar too. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is the most powerful one here with 266 horsepower along with 317 lb-ft of torque on tap. Despite the higher output numbers, the Mach-E isn’t quicker than the rest of the rivals on the list.

2023 Nissan Ariya electric Ride and Handling

With the very limited information available regarding the all-new Ariya’s driving characteristics, we can say the EV offers a pleasurable experience. The ride is smooth and comfortable over various tarmac conditions while you’ll hear nothing apart from the occasional humming from the motor or the road noises. The steering is easy but responsive while the handling is decent too, and the SUV feels confident even when you change directions suddenly. The power delivery from the motor is progressive and you won’t be disappointed with sudden jerks.

2023 Nissan Ariya electric Braking Performance

Electric vehicles are equipped with a regenerative braking system that recharges the battery on the go while the brakes are applied or the accelerator pedal is released. The Ariya’s regen system works flawlessly too but the regen levels aren’t quite strong enough to allow single-pedal driving though. The brake sizes or the stopping distance of the Ariya aren’t available as of now but we will update the section once the numbers become available.

The Kia EV6 is equipped with 12.8-inch front and 12.8-inch rear rotors to handle its braking duties. With a light curb weight for an EV, the EV6 shows an impressive braking performance by stopping from 60mph within 117 feet only. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 shares its braking hardware with the EV6 hence, its performance is slightly better than the latter despite weighing slightly more. The Ford Mustang Mach-E has the shortest stopping distance here and gets sizable 14.2-inch front rotors. Despite weighing the most here, it impresses with its braking prowess.

Electric vehicles are purpose-built for neutralizing fuel costs and a majority of the options in the market have been fulfilling it quite well. With the driving range figures of the 2023 Nissan Ariya’s base model, we are not impressed yet. With the 63kWh battery, the SUV only goes about 216 miles according to the brand’s claims whereas the bigger 87kWh battery pack delivers a maximum driving range of 304 miles on the Venture+ trim. On the other trim levels, the claimed maximum driving range falls to 289 miles. While the driving range numbers might be okay-ish for city commuting, out on the highways, you might plan your route according to the availability of charging stations.

The Kia EV6 impresses with its segment-leading city and highway driving range numbers along with a bigger base battery pack than the rivals. Moreover, the SUV can drive over 300 miles on a single charge when equipped with the base battery as well. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 shares its powertrain setup with the EV6 hence its battery capacity and driving numbers are almost identical as well. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, much like the Ariya, doesn’t impress either due to its meager city, highway, and total driving range figures.

Nissan has kept the interior of the 2023 Ariya as upscale and comfy as possible. In terms of appointments, the cabin impresses with plenty of soft-touch materials atop the hard plastic panels along with wooden-like trims on the dashboard and the center console. The number of buttons is minimal giving the front area a clean look and the air-con vents are cleverly hidden behind the long strip-like insert that divides the dashboard into two. The interior also gets ambient lighting around the footwell section and the door panels. Even though the interior dimensions are yet to be released, the cabin feels adequately spacious for adults both at the front and the rear. The front seats are thinner than usual but that doesn’t eat up to the comfort levels it offers along with comfy cushioning and support. Both the front and rear seats also get heating as standard along with power adjustments for the driver’s seat. The center console has a trick up its sleeve, a power-operated sliding mechanism that we’ll be seeing for the first time in a vehicle of this class. Standard cargo capacity is decent at 23 cu-ft.

The Kia EV6 has a delectable interior as compared to the cabins of the rivals here. In terms of appointments, the EV6’s cabin doesn’t disappoint, and the overall design along with the user-friendly layout makes for a premium feel as well. The rear seats might feel slightly short in legroom for tall passengers, otherwise, the rear seats are spacious. The cargo capacity is slightly better than Ariya’s cargo area at 24.4 cu-ft. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 might share its powertrain and some hardware with the Kia EV6, but its interior speaks a different story altogether. The dashboard grabs all the attention with its rectangular, dual-screen layout and the neatly arranged controls keep the cabin clutter-free as well. The Ford Mustang Mach-E tried to pull a “Tesla” with the huge centrally-mounted touchscreen display. The rear seats of the Mustang Mach-E falls short on legroom but its most spacious cargo space here makes up for that.

Some of the key interior features available with the 2023 Nissan Ariya electric include:

• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Heated front seats
• Heated second-row seats
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Power-sliding center console

How intuitive is the 2023 Nissan Ariya electric’s infotainment system?

The 2023 Nissan Ariya’s infotainment system’s complete details are yet to be released. However, a few of them have been ascertained and the display unit will be a huge 12.3-inch touchscreen that will be integrated beside the instrument cluster. The system will offer Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and inbuilt navigation as standard. Furthermore, USB ports for inputs will also be there along with Amazon Alexa integration as well.

Some of the most notable infotainment features available with the 2023 Nissan Ariya electric include:

• 12.3-inch touchscreen display with latest Nissan’s infotainment user interface
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Navigation
• Multiple USB ports
• Amazon Alexa integration

All the automakers across the globe are giving their EVs quite advanced and futuristic looks as possible on both insides as well as outside. The 2023 Nissan Ariya walks down the same path with its freshly-baked and futuristic exterior design. Nissan has kept the edges as smooth and aerodynamic as possible for an SUV to maximize range. At the front, the fascia gets a big blacked-out panel in place of the grille that is bordered with a couple of LED DRLs on either side. The LED headlamp units are sleek and sit almost flush with the hood and the front fenders. The side profile is simple while the rear end looks nice due to the sporty appeal that emanates from the sleek stripe-like LED tail lamps and that rakish roofline.

The Kia EV6 has the most aggressive exterior styling among the rivals here. However, its rear end looks to be heavily inspired by the Aston Martin DBX’s rear-end design. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 looks a bit like it’s been brought to life from a video game due to the unique front-end design and the special wheel design it comes with. The Ford Mustang Mach-E might have disappointed earlier with its mediocre driving range numbers but it sure looks the part. While it doesn’t bear any resemblance with the original Mustang coupe, the muscular design language is quite strong on the Mach-E but its rakish roof at the rear limits the rear seats headroom.

Some standout exterior features include:

• 19-inch wheels
• LED headlights
• Power-folding and heated mirrors
• Keyless entry
• Power liftgate
• LED fog lights

Nissan always took the safety aspect of its vehicles quite seriously and we have seen vehicles from the brand perform brilliantly at the crash tests too. The 2023 Nissan Ariya is yet to be assessed for its crashworthiness but gets several advanced driver assistance techs as standard. Among the standard techs are Adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Apart from these, further details about the vehicle are yet to be released by the brand.

Some of the standout safety features include:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision mitigation 
• Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning 
• Blind-spot intervention 
• Rear automatic braking
• ProPilot Assist 2.0

2023 Nissan Ariya electric vs 2022 Kia EV6

The Kia EV6 ranks among one of the top-rated electric SUVs in its class, and all for the right reasons as well. Right from the start, the base trim of the EV6 offers some decent driving range numbers on a single charge while offering the versatility of fast charging too. The Nissan Ariya offers a sub-par driving number in its base form but things improve slightly as you opt for the bigger battery pack, increasing the price in the process. On the design part, the EV6 challenges the Ariya with a more aggressive and compact design while the latter focuses on being more SUV-like.

2023 Nissan Ariya electric vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a mechanical twin of the Kia EV6 to a certain extent but will give you a video game-like feel at first glance only. Due to the similarities under the hood, the Ioniq 5 has similar driving range and performance figures to the EV6 while its interior design feels toned down in comparison to the EV6’s cabin. In comparison to the Ariya, the Ioniq 5 is a stronger contender in the class but the former’s cabin is a much nicer place to be with ample space on offer.

2023 Nissan Ariya electric vs 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Ford Mustang Mach-E tries to be popular by carrying the nametag of the legendary coupe and has become successful to a certain extent as well. However, the most deal-breaking part about the vehicle is its sub-par driving range figures on a single charge. On the inside, the Ariya looks fresher than the Mach-E’s cabin but the latter, with its massive centrally-mounted touchscreen display, poses to be slightly more attractive to tech-savvy shoppers. Moreover, the muscular exterior design of the Mach-E is clearly superior to the exterior design of the Ariya as well.

As the first electric SUV from Nissan, we are waiting eagerly for the SUV to hit the roads. If you absolutely love the design and want to experience something new, the Nissan Ariya should be on your preference list. As a city vehicle, the Ariya offers almost everything you’d require and the standard suite of ADAS techs is the most significant part of the Ariya. We would say the pricing of the SUV has been kept quite competitively but there are some fine tunings required for the SUV to be a hit in this class.