Detailed review of the 2023 Nissan Ariya, specifications, features and disadvantages

Test Drive and Inspection of the 2023 Nissan Ariya, the stylish and capable family car

When Nissan first announced that it would soon introduce an all-electric crossover, there weren’t any such cars available for sale. That was in 2019, and a few months later, Tesla started production of the Model Y, which has become its most popular model to date.

However, when the 2023 Nissan Ariya hits showrooms this fall, the Tesla Model Y won’t remain the only electric crossover. There have been at least four fully electric vehicles introduced since Nissan first told us it would be adding another fully electric vehicle to its fleet.

2023 Nissan Ariya competitors

In addition to the Model Y, the 2023 Nissan Ariya will undoubtedly compete with the Volkswagen ID.4, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Kia EV6. , which are all very good electric cars in their own right. So, we set out for this first drive event with the goal of trying to determine exactly where the 2023 Nissan Ariya is positioned.

We had a chance to take a pre-production front-wheel-drive Ariya with a 66kWh battery pack on a multi-lap racetrack. We’d love to try the all-wheel-drive Ariya with its larger 91kWh battery pack and Nissan e-4ORCE technology, but alas, it’s not ready for outdoor testing just yet. The all-wheel-drive Ariya with e-4ORCE technology will arrive at dealerships in late fall, two months after the FWD version was launched.

Nissan promises that the 2023 Nissan Ariya’s e-4ORCE powertrain will deliver a powerful, smooth and highly productive driving experience, as well as unparalleled ride comfort. Passengers riding electric cars with strong acceleration often complain of motion sickness due to the rocking back and forth motion. Nissan’s e-4ORCE system was developed to eliminate this problem, without affecting the performance, braking or handling characteristics of the 2023 Nissan Ariya.

The exterior design of the Nissan Ariya 2023

Nissan Ariya 2023 is an expression of style and technology, and brought them together to complement each other. The electric vehicle platform also removed all major limitations and allowed designers to take new approaches to existing components. The Ariya is available in six exterior paint packages, two-tone, each with a black roof, and three full-body colours. The design of the Ariya redefined Nissan’s design philosophy. Which Nissan calls the “Eternal Japanese Future,” and presents a Japanese approach in a simple and modern way.

The front of the car looks smooth, elegant and fresh. Visible through the shield is a grille reimagined for the electric vehicle era. The shield incorporates a traditional Japanese 3D kumiko pattern beneath the smooth surface, to protect the sensors used for the driver assistance functions. The redesigned Nissan brand logo is prominently placed in the center of the aerodynamic shield.

The lower part of the shield is surrounded by soft lighting that lights up with the logo, and when turned on enters slim LED headlights, designed with four small 20 mm projectors to recreate the signature Nissan V-Motion design. A single uninterrupted horizontal line runs across the two sides, connecting the front and back façades to convey a linear movement that gives it architectural beauty.

The rear of the Ariya is equally stunning, featuring a steep C-pillar that blends into the rear deck. The one-piece light blade, which forms the rear combination lamps, is designed to give a darkening effect when standing still and a consistent red illumination, day or night, and the rear fender flares and high rear spoiler indicate the Ariya’s electrified capabilities.

The Aryia is built on the CMF-EV ski-type chassis, Nissan’s scalable platform. As with other electric skateboard platforms, the platform has given the vehicle a long wheelbase, to improve the ride. Although the Ariya is the same overall length as the Nissan Rogue (182.9″ vs. 183.0″ in the Bruges), the Ariya’s wheelbase is nearly 3 inches longer (109.3″ vs. 106.5″ in the Rogue).

Driving impressions of the 2023 Nissan Ariya

We really didn’t get enough time for a thorough and in-depth driving review, and we waited to drive the Nissan Ariya for a whole day or more. Although the trial period was short, it was enough for us to know a lot, and this also helped us to better understand the Ariya’s position in the electric crossover segment. A luxurious and comfortable interior with a smooth ride should appeal to those who value elegance, comfort and a soft ride over those looking to blast through winding canyon roads.

The Ariya has three driving modes; Sport, Standard, and Eco, each of which has an impact on the power and behavior of the regenerative braking system as well as ride feel and pedal response. Nissan says the FWD Ariya makes 214 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds and that’s right. And while we were driving it on a wet track, it accelerated in 8 seconds, which confirms the credibility of its claim.

There was little surprise when I pushed the 2023 Nissan Ariya hard into turns and found it sure to corner, though it’s heavy, weighing in at just over 4,000 pounds, but found performance to be limited, while the Mustang Mach-E, KIA EV6, and Tesla pick up The Model Y Competition is more performance-oriented than the Nissan Ariya.

e-4ORCE technology in the Nissan Ariya 2023

Nissan is clearly trying to make the transition to electric driving smooth for those coming from conventional cars, and the lack of true single-pedal driving, as well as the e-4ORCE AWD system, are two prime examples of how it plans to achieve this. I was a little surprised to learn that Nissan has changed regenerative braking, eliminating single-pedal driving, and a more aggressive e-pedal mode will lower the Nissan Ariya’s speed by 6 mph.

In our opinion, real driving was better with one selectable pedal in the car settings, so those who like it can have it. Many experienced EV owners like the one-pedal driving dynamics, and some newcomers to EV driving will find it unusual at first.

Nissan Ariya 2023 engine

The Nissan Ariya uses the same Externally Excited Synchronous Motor (EESM) in the front in the FWD model, and will be in the rear in the AWD model. Nissan will fine-tune the power delivery through software alone, as the engines are physically identical.

Nissan has not released prices for the 66 kWh battery pack versions. Pricing for the Ariya Venture FWD with the smaller package is expected to start at $40,000.

Nissan Ariya 2023 battery

The Ariya will arrive this fall with two battery options; One with a 66 kWh (63 kWh usable) package, the second with a 91 kWh (87 kWh usable) battery. Both packages use cells that give them 400 volts, and they have an advanced liquid thermal management system. It’s a major upgrade over the air-cooled setup used in Nissan’s other all-electric offerings. Giving the LEAF the same battery could significantly reduce premature deterioration and capacity loss.

The range of the Nissan Ariya 2023

The Ariya’s battery pack options perform well compared to other crossovers in its class. In fact, the Ariya’s battery is larger than all of its competitors except the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Of course, the driving range will vary depending on the powertrain configuration chosen as well as the appropriate battery pack for the vehicle.

An EPA range certification hasn’t been established, but Nissan estimates that a front-wheel-drive Ariya with a 91-kWh battery will achieve 300 miles of range per charge. Elsewhere, the Nissan Ariya four-wheel drive with the 66-kWh package is expected to deliver 215 miles of EPA-rated range.

Shipping Nissan Ariya 2023

For North America and Europe, Nissan is moving from the CHAdeMO DC rapid charge standard it uses for the LEAF, to the Combined Charging System (CCS or Combo) for the Ariya. Ariya will join LEAF and use CHAdeMO in Japan only, while it will use the Chinese standard in China. LEAF will continue to use CHAdeMO, but when the next generation of LEAF goes into production, it will also transition to the CCS standard. which will be offered all over the world.

The Ariya can accept up to 130kW on DC fast charging, and there are newer ones that charge at high speed. But Nissan focused on providing “a flat charging curve for the Ariya, which means it will be able to hold its maximum charging rate deep in the beam.” We will document the full charging curve and compare it to other EVs, and publish it soon.

This is good news because the charging curve is just as important, and perhaps even more important, as it is about the maximum charge rate it can accept. If the Nissan is able to hold a relatively flat curve of 70% to 80% charge point, the Ariya can potentially charge from 10% to 80% in about 35 minutes. Yes, there are electric cars that offer the highest DC fast charging rate, but the charging curve tapers off shortly after the charging session begins.

And for Level 2 charging, the Nissan Ariya comes standard with a 40-amp (9.6 kW) inboard charger that refills about 30 miles of range to the Ariya per charge hour. The Ariya will come standard with the same dual-voltage (120V/240V) portable charging cable as the Leaf Plus.

Interior cabin design of the Nissan Ariya 2023

We’ve found the Ariya’s interior to be one of its strongest aspects compared to its competitors. The CMF-EV platform for electric vehicles allowed for a completely flat floor, and Nissan also moved heating and cooling equipment and other units behind the dash into the traditional engine bay. Ariya’s striking interior design is defined by the Japanese term ma – a reference to its spatiotemporal qualities. The interior design more closely resembles an elegant café lounge on a spaceship, rather than the cabin of a traditional car.

The Ariya’s miniature instrument cluster blends seamlessly with the cabin’s look and transitions into the doors. It is devoid of the buttons and switches found in conventional vehicles. The basic climate control functions are integrated into the central wooden instrument panel, and take the form of tactile switches that vibrate when touched. Under the dashboard is a central storage box and a foldable tray. In short, the innovative design makes the Aria’s cabin a mobile office.

The spaciousness and spaciousness of the Nissan Ariya 2023

The advantages offered by the all-new electric platform enabled Nissan to create a spacious cabin for the Ariya. The compact nature of the powertrain components allowed Nissan engineers to install the climate control system under the hood, allowing the designers to use the entire cabin without hindrance.

The flat, open floor – made possible by the battery’s location at the base of the body – and low gravity seats – results in ample legroom and effortless interaction between front and rear passengers. The electric drivetrain and generous use of sound-absorbing materials result in a quiet cabin, allowing occupants to relax and enjoy a lounge-like space.

On the downside, moving all this equipment forward, reduces front cargo space. And Nissan isn’t the only EV maker that’s sacrificing storage space. However, the Ariya boasts a generous trunk cargo space of 22.8 cubic feet. When the rear seats are folded almost completely flat, trunk space increases to an impressive 59.7 cubic feet.

The quality of the materials used in the interior of the Nissan Ariya 2023

There’s a fair amount of hard plastic that we normally find in cars of this class and price range, but the Ariya seems to incorporate it better than most. Personally, I didn’t mind the Ariya’s hard plastic look as much as the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The cabin of the Ariya presented plastic materials that simulate wood grains, and sophisticated touch buttons for climate control, which made it look like an Infiniti car. In fact, another journalist told me he thought the Ariya felt like an Infiniti during a test drive.

Comfort and seating position in the Nissan Ariya 2023

One crunch I had with the front seating position was that the front seats didn’t seem low enough for tall passengers to have enough headroom. It felt like a lot of headroom, but even with the seat in its lowest position, I didn’t have as much room as I would like. And tall people will have a problem with headspace.

Rear seat passengers are treated to an abundance of head and legroom, with the flat cabin floor allowing them to cross their legs and relax with ease. Accents and trim have been placed in the back space to create the same sense of sophistication and comfort. The sleek front seats are positioned to hide the B-disc, in fact, if you’re more focused on driving comfort and premium design than performance. Then Ariya will be just right for you.

In fact, with all of the great options in the all-electric crossover segment, we really urge you to try them all out before you buy one. If you’re thinking of the Mustang Mach E, go test drive the Kia EV6, too. And if you have your eye on the Ioniq 5, check out the Volkswagen ID.4 test drive first. And when Ariya lands in showrooms in early fall, be sure to take a look before you buy.

Safety and security technologies for the Nissan Ariya 2023

For safety, the Nissan Ariya comes with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 package. The package features hands-free driving technology and a driver attention monitoring system that can sense whether the driver is attentive or distracted and sends an audible warning.

Nissan Ariya 2023 price

Currently, there are four Ariya models available on the Nissan Online Reservation Program. Each is equipped with an 87 kWh battery, and the front-wheel drive Ariya has a range of 300 miles. It requires a $500 reservation fee and will sell for $45,950.

Features of the Nissan Ariya 2023

• Nissan’s first all-electric SUV
• Optional four-wheel drive
• Featuring the latest safety and technology features
• A distinctive cabin that outperforms the competition

Disadvantages of the Nissan Ariya 2023

• Reservations are online now, but Ariya is arriving in fall 2022
• The range is less than that of the Tesla Model Y
• Comfort was prioritized over performance
• The tall driving position may not be comfortable