Nissan Ariya 2023 Review

The 2023 Nissan Ariya is an all-electric crossover SUV that will go on sale at the end of 2022. Prices will start at $47,125 for the Venture+ trim that features an 87-kWh battery that is projected to return up to 300 miles of range. A more affordable model with a smaller 63-kWh battery will be available sometime later. Reservations for the Ariya are open now, and the first 10,000 reservations placed before January 31, 2022, include a free two-year EVgo membership with $500 of charging credits.

Just as important, the 2023 Ariya marks a turning point for Nissan. The brand has been revamped, moving forward with a sophisticated design philosophy that appears to be more thoughtfully executed. There's even a new Nissan logo.

Power output for the front-wheel-drive model stands at 238 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. Selecting the all-wheel-drive system (Nissan calls this e-4orce AWD) bumps this significantly to 389 hp and 442 lb-ft.

Interestingly, Nissan's spec sheet says the Ariya will have DC fast-charger capability using the combined charging system (CCS). This is different from the CHAdeMO-style connector Nissan's been using on its Leaf EV. Nissan says the Ariya can fast-charge up to a rate of 130 kW, which is enough to replenish 80% of range in only 20 minutes.

The Ariya will also offer a version of the Nissan Leaf's e-pedal that allows the driver to accelerate, decelerate and stop by using only the accelerator pedal. This one-pedal driving system helps to alleviate fatigue in heavy traffic.

The Ariya's stark interior design is similar to Tesla's simple horizontal dash. But rather than use a large vertical center screen, Nissan went with two wide screens in a single and striking glass ribbon that is similar to Mercedes-Benz's MBUX infotainment system. Capacitive-touch climate control buttons are integrated into the lower wood (or a very convincing wood-substitute) trim.

Less noticeable but no less noteworthy is the almost-flat floor and delicately perforated metal trim element that separates the driver's footwell from the front passenger's. The center console holds the "gear selector" and can also slide forward or back to suit the driver's preference. Nissan's praiseworthy Zero Gravity seats are also present.

In addition to the typical advanced safety features contained within Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite, the Ariya will offer ProPilot 2.0. This next-generation semi-automated driving system promises hands-free driving on certain single-lane highways. The driver will still need to pay attention to the road, and sensors will disable the system if the driver is distracted.

Voice control should be able to make up for the lack of physical buttons, and Amazon Alexa control and monitoring are included. The system will also evolve over time thanks to over-the-air-updates. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto smartphone connectivity will also be included.

Nissan says the Ariya can hold 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats, or up to 59.7 cubic feet with those seats folded down. That's a little less than what you get from a typical gas-powered small SUV or the rival Tesla Model Y or Volkswagen ID.4, but it should still be sufficient for most of your typical cargo-hauling needs.

When it launches at the end of 2022, the Ariya will be available in four trim levels — Venture+, Evolve+, Premiere and Platinum+ — all of which come equipped with the 87-kWh battery pack. A more affordable model with a smaller battery pack will arrive sometime later. Front-wheel drive is standard on all but the Platinum+, which features the e-4orce all-wheel drive system.

Venture+ The base Venture+ model comes fairly well equipped. Standard features include:

• 238 horsepower, 221 lb-ft of torque
• Up to 300 miles of range
• 19-inch wheels
• LED headlights and taillights
• Power-folding and heated mirrors
• Keyless entry
• Height-adjustable front seats
• Cloth upholstery
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• USB-A and USB-C ports
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto

You also get a handful of driver aids, including:

• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Nissan and the car in front)
• Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the Ariya back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Rear automatic braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Evolve+ This builds off the base trim, adding:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Power liftgate
• LED foglights
• Digital rearview mirror
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Automatic windshield wipers
• Wireless charging pad
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Ariya and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

Premiere As with the Evolve+, the Premiere adds more convenience and tech features including:

• Advanced adaptive cruise control with limited hands-free highway driving
• Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
• Illuminated door kick plate

Platinum+ The top-level Platinum+ model includes standard all-wheel drive in addition to all of the Premiere's features. It also gets a significant power bump, up to 389 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Other features include:

• Hands-free liftgate
• Active noise cancelation
• Ambient interior lighting
• Leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable steering wheel
• Memory settings for the driver and front passenger
• Ventilated front seats
• 10-speaker Bose audio system
• Available 20-inch wheels

We're glad to see Nissan take a new direction, leaving behind its rather uninspired recent past in favor of a bold and modern reboot. If the 2023 Ariya is any indication, Nissan's future is promising. The Ariya's styling is clean inside and out, and there's a sensible use of technology. Keep checking back for more information and drive impressions as we close in on the on-sale date.