The Nissan Leaf was not the first electric vehicle in the modern era, but it was, arguably, one of the most important as it paved the way for a fledgling market. Moving forward, Nissan’s Ambition 2030 calls for 20 new vehicles in the next five years, including 15 all-new electric vehicles. The first EV out of the gate is the 2023 Nissan Ariya, a five-seat crossover. It is a handsome piece that adopts the company’s more integrated design language. When it lands, Ariya will be offered with four basic drivetrains across six models. Nissan is launching Ariya with front-wheel-drive this year; the dual-motor models arrive next year.
Trims and power
It starts with the front-drive and e-4orce all-wheel-drive models with the standard 66 kilowatt/hour (63 kWh usable) battery. The Ariya Engage uses a single, front-mounted, electric motor that produces 214 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This combination delivers a driving range of up to 348 kilometres. The dual-motor Ariya Evolve e-4orce adds a second rear electric motor, which ups the output to a much more entertaining 335 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. The range penalty for the hike in performance is very small — it drops 18 km to 330 km, although the official number is still pending.
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
The other four models use a larger 91 kWh (87 kWh usable) battery. The Venture+ and Evolve+ front-wheel-drive units twist out 238 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque and have a range of 490 km and 465 km, respectively. The discrepancy is down to the added features the latter packs into the car.
The Platinum+ and top-of-the-line Premiere+ models both use the e-4orce dual-motor layout and extended-range battery. In this case, the two motors combine to produce 389 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The key is the performance comes with a driving range of up to 426 km.
The battery’s maximum charging rate is pegged at 130 kilowatts. This means when using a DC fast charger, the 66 kW/h battery goes from 20 to 80 per cent in 35 minutes; the larger 91 kWh battery takes 40 minutes. When plugged into a Level 2 charger it takes 10 hours for the standard battery and 14 hours for the larger unit. Now these times are to take the battery from empty to full. Given this is almost never the case the charge times will be an overnight affair.
First drive
The first drive was in the equivalent of the Canadian Evolve+. It has the larger battery and a front electric motor that pushes 238 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. The response is immediate and the acceleration is strong from rest and on through the mid-range. For many, this level of performance will be more than acceptable, especially given the range the battery delivers. The real-world experience paints a rosy picture.
The day started with 100 per cent battery and 486 km showing as the range. After the first 113-km leg, the range was showing 387 km. In other words, on the route, we had managed to regenerate, or reduce the anticipated depletion rate, by 14 km of free driving. At the end of the 231-km route, the range number had dropped to 286 km, meaning things were now 31 km for the better. The important part here is the manner in which the Ariya predicts the potential driving distance is bang on!
Where Ariya misses the mark is the fact there’s no true one-pedal drive. In simple terms, Drive with the e-Step off has virtually no regenerative braking; it is mildly aggressive with e-Step activated, but it will not bring the Ariya to rest. Selecting the Brake driving mode sees each setting get a little more aggressive, but it’s nowhere near a one-pedal drive. Nissan says this is to accommodate those drivers moving into an EV for the first time. Certainly, having a gas-like engine-braking feel is more natural for a first-time EV buyer, however, a Leaf owner looking to move up to Ariya will likely be disappointed. It is not a deal breaker, but it gets close.
As for the rest of the drive, well, it impresses. The suspension does a good job of balancing divergent needs. It is comfortable on the highway and it dials out much of the body roll when pushed into a corner. Part of the balance is down to the 50/50-front/rear weight distribution. The feel and feedback do change according to the drive mode selected. In Eco, it has a soft feel; Normal balances performance with range. In both cases the Ariya feels like an electric ride — as in heavy. The fun mode is Sport. It puts more weight in the steering, which gives it a tighter, sharper feel. This helps to mask the mass at play.
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
Interior
The cabin is refreshingly different and features some clever touches. At first blush the look is minimalist, but it does not sacrifice on amenities. Pride of place goes to two 12.3-inch screens. The instrumentation and infotainment segments meld together seamlessly into a single entity that can be customized. In operation, the infotainment side is both fast and easy to use. It also works with wireless Apple CarPlay; Android Auto must be wired.
There are also some neat features. Rather than the usual knobs and buttons, the climate controls have been incorporated as touch-points into the wooden trim that finishes the crash pad. The format, which gives haptic feedback when a function is touched, is as classy to the eye as it is easy to use. The same technique has been applied to the drive mode selector and e-Step function.
The coolest feature, however, is the powered centre console. Rather than forcing different drivers to adapt to a fixed console and control position, the Ariya’s console adapts to the driver — a button on the side moves the console through roughly 120 mm. It is a novel take that’s destined to be mimicked by other makers in the future.
2023 Nissan Ariya Photo by Graeme Fletcher
The rear environment is as accommodating. There’s lots of head- and legroom for three adult riders to go along with 1,691 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded flat.
Canadian pricing
The Nissan Ariya is a solid addition to the EV market. The front-drive models will hit dealer showrooms shortly. The starting point is the Engage, which is priced at $52,998. The Venture+ and Evolve+ with the larger battery are priced at $59,498 and $64,998, respectively. The e4orce all-wheel-drive models will hit Canadian roads early next year. The starting price is $60,598 for the Evolve, $69,198 for the Platinum+ and $69,998 for the range-topping Premiere+.
Keyword: First Drive: 2023 Nissan Ariya