Nissan Ariya – Nissan Enters EV Crossover Market

Nissan have introduced their own competitor into the EV crossover market with the 2021 Nissan Ariya.

Nissan have a proven track record of revolutionising the consumer car world. The Nissan Qashqai rolled off production lines back in 2006 and showed the world how incredibly popular the crossover body style was (a crossover being essentially a hatchback with a raised ride height).

Details revealed about the Nissan Ariya hint that this too could shake up the market.

“The Ariya enhances driving excitement, ensures high levels of comfort and confidence and heightens the joy of connecting. It’s more than just a great EV crossover, it’s a great vehicle. It’s a true force of wonder, and it’s coming soon.” said Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta at the cars reveal.

The Nissan Ariya is based on the 2019 concept car of the same name and as is rare for concept cars, not a lot has changed with the production version.

The futuristic styling remains with thin LED headlights, a rear light bar, strong lines, and a raked roofline. Nissan call the Ariya ‘an all-electric coupe crossover’ despite it being a five door, demonstrating how the meaning of ‘coupe’ has seemingly transitioned into meaning ‘sloping roofline’ judging by the way manufacturers use it currently.

The Nissan badge is backlit by 20 individual LEDs which sets the precedent for the entire design philosophy of the Ariya – hi-tech.

Interior – Nissan Ariya

The interior of the Nissan Ariya is the standard modern performance EV affair – a sleek leather cocoon with the dashboard dominated by two large screens.

Updates for the UI are installed automatically over a wireless connection, similarly to the new Citroen C4. Comparing the two you can see numerous similarities highlighting how the futuristic EV market is already settling into certain established design norms (thin headlights, bulky bodywork, minimalist interiors with huge screens).

There are no buttons on the centre console instead being replaced with touch-sensitive areas which give vibration feedback when pressed.

The two 12.3inch touch screen displays are fully customisable and come with NissanConnect smartphone connectivity, and Nissan intelligent personal assistance as standard.

“Nissan’s intelligent personal assistance technology is an expression of omotenashi – the Japanese custom of respecting the customer to the highest degree,” said Makoto Fukuda, Development Chief Product Specialist of the Ariya.

“It provides a seamless experience, both off and on-board. The Ariya supports your lifestyle whether from home or on the go.”

Power And Range

There are five versions of the Nissan Ariya which will go on sale in the UK.

Buyers can choose between a 63kwh or 87kwh battery, and rear or four-wheel drive.

The entry level combination of a 63kwh battery and rear-wheel drive boasts a quoted range of 223 miles and a 215 bhp power figure.

If range is your most important factor when purchasing an EV, then the optimal choice is the 87kwh battery paired with a rear-wheel drive drivetrain. This offers 310miles of range and 239bhp.

Nissan Ariya E-4ORCE 87 KWH Performance

Nissan have also announced a performance variant of the Nissan Ariya titled the Nissan Ariya E-4ORCE 87kwh Performance.

This variant is capable of a 248mile range and produces an impressive 389bhp.

Nissan also stated that the E-4ORCE can complete the 0-60mph sprint in 5.1 seconds – faster than a Porsche Macan.

Pricing

The size, styling, and features on offer pit the Nissan Ariya against rivals such as the Skoda Enyaq, Volkswagen ID.4, and Tesla Model Y.

Judging by these competitors price tags we can estimate that the Ariya will start around £40,000 – cheaper than EV luxury options such as the Jaguar i-Pace and Audi e-Tron).

For more information on the Ariya visit Nissan’s official website.

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