Americans buy more midsize SUVs than any other kind of car. So it’s unsurprising that many automakers are wading into the electric vehicle (EV) space with all-electric midsize crossovers.
But Nissan doesn’t need to wade into the EV market. They were building and selling EVs long before any other traditional automaker. The 2023 Nissan Leaf is in its 12th model year. It’s the most proven EV on the market. The Tesla Model S appeared later.
So Nissan knows what it’s doing when it comes to EVs. When Nissan introduces an electric midsize SUV, it won’t be learning as it goes.
Well, Nissan has delivered an electric midsize SUV. The 2023 Nissan Ariya is not an experiment. It’s the product of more than a decade of learning how to build an electric car that meets many needs.
The Ariya boasts up to 304 miles of range, eye-catching looks available in dramatic colors (Sunrise Copper Pearl is lovely), and one of the roomiest cabins ever squeezed into a midsize vehicle.
Nissan builds the Ariya in a remarkable 10 configurations. Every model feels close to a luxury car, but they vary from 214 horsepower to 389. Prices start as low as $47,190.
Unfortunately, it does not currently qualify for federal EV tax credits. But the criteria for the credits is evolving, so it may qualify in future years.
The top of the Ariya lineup, though, could easily wear a badge from Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury marque. The Ariya Platinum+ e-4orce AWD boasts luxury car power, luxury car amenities, and all-wheel drive grip. It starts at $60,190. And while Nissan dealers can personalize it with additions like roof racks or ground lighting, the company doesn’t offer any options packages to inflate the price because nothing is missing.
Let’s take a closer at what you get with a 2024 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ e-4orce AWD.
Features include:
Dual-motor setup for 389 horsepower
Standard all-wheel drive
20-inch aluminum alloy wheels
Nappa leather seats
Bose premium audio system with 10 speakers and dual-driver woofer
Multicolor contextual line illumination
Heated and cooled zero gravity front seats
Motion-activated liftgate
Panoramic moonroof
Intelligent all-around monitor
Head-up display
Twin 12.3-inch digital screens that interact so drivers can swipe between them
Android Auto compatibility and wireless Apple CarPlay integration
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Nissan ProPilot Assist 2.0 safety system
It’s an impressive list. Let’s dive deeper into a few of our favorite features.
The Best Seats in the Automotive Business
You may spend more time in the driver’s seat than in any other seat you own. So it’s wise to buy with the seat in mind.
Many automakers build comfortable seats, but our editors consistently find that Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats are the most comfortable in the industry over the long haul. Nissan engineers designed them using NASA research. They focus on balancing pressure between 14 points to keep the body as close to a neutral position as possible and alleviate pressure on the joints.
They’re found in every Ariya. But the Platinum+ e-4orce AWD wraps them in buttery Nappa leather — hides that have been through extra tanning steps to soften them. It’s a grade of leather usually found only in luxury cars.
They’re so comfortable we listed them before mentioning the car’s performance.
389 Horsepower, All-Wheel Drive
If you’ve seen the Ariya before, odds are you’ve seen it in a commercial emphasizing its acceleration. Actress Brie Larson (Hollywood’s Captain Marvel) is the TV face of the Ariya, praising its power over other attributes.
She’s not wrong. If you haven’t been in an electric car yet, you may not understand how much quicker they feel than gas-powered cars. We liken a gasoline engine to a dimmer switch — its power comes on gradually. An electric motor is a simple light switch — all of its power is available instantly as soon as you tap the pedal.
The Ariya’s 389 horsepower is an impressive number on paper. But it feels like a good deal more when you put your foot down. Standard AWD gives it plenty of grip, even in bad weather.
ProPilot Assist 2.0 with Navi-Link
Cars are a long way from driving themselves. But the best of them today come with systems that can take some of the workload off the driver.
Nissan’s ProPilot Assist 2.0 system can steer the car and keep up with traffic on some pre-mapped highway routes. The driver still needs to stay attentive and be ready to take over at a moment’s notice. But it lets you relax your hands on a road trip.
Hyperfunctional Screens and the Option Not to Use Them
In 2023, most cars on the market come with a pair of screens. One takes the place of the traditional gauge cluster in front of the driver, and the other sits in the center and handles entertainment and information functions.
Nissan, though, has a system with two unique attributes.
Its user interface lets drivers pass information back and forth with the flick of a finger.
But you won’t find them distracting. The Platinum+ e4orce AWD model has a head-up display that puts speed, turn-by-turn directions, and other critical info directly into the driver’s line of sight.
A voice command system lets you control most touchscreen functions without taking your hands from the wheel, too. You just say, “Hello, Nissan,” to wake it.
More Nissan Ariya
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