The Nissan Ariya arrives in Australia as a fully electric, five-seat family SUV that combines a polished interior, comprehensive safety kit and multiple powertrain options. While the model remains visually fresh despite originating from an earlier global launch, range, charging speed and cargo capacity leave it less competitive against some newer rivals, especially given current market expectations.
What you need to know about Nissan Ariya
- Body: 5-seat mid-size electric SUV
- Length: just under 4.6 m
- Boot capacity: 466 L (no frunk, no spare wheel, tyre repair kit provided)
- Battery options: 63 kWh (smaller pack) and 87 kWh (larger pack)
- Power (select trims): front-drive single motor 160 kW / 300 Nm, upgraded single-motor 178 kW / 300 Nm, and dual-motor Evolve 320 kW / 600 Nm
- Range (claimed): ~385 km (63 kWh), 504 km (87 kWh single motor), 487 km (87 kWh dual motor)
- AC charging: standard 7.4 kW (three-phase 22 kW optional on Advance Plus; standard on Evolve)
- DC charging: 10–80% ~35–40 minutes (shared peak rate across the range)
- Warranty: 5-year unlimited km standard; conditional 10-year / 300,000 km if serviced with Nissan; battery 8-year / 160,000 km.
Nissan Ariya Model range and key specification differences
Nissan’s Ariya line-up in Australia is organized by trim and battery/powertrain:
Engage (entry)
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive, 63 kWh battery
- Equipment highlights: 12.3-inch driver display, 12.3-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, proximity entry, LED lighting, 19-inch alloys, wireless phone charging, six-speaker audio.
Advance
- Same basic drivetrain as Engage but adds comfort and convenience kit: heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 10-speaker Bose audio, hands-free tailgate, power-adjustable front seats, privacy glass.
Advance Plus
- Larger 87 kWh battery, modest power bump to 178 kW, additional premium interior touches (panoramic roof, heated + ventilated seats, suede/soft-touch trims, head-up display), and optional 22 kW three-phase onboard charger.
Evolve E-Force (top)
- Dual-motor AWD, 87 kWh battery, 320 kW / 600 Nm, larger wheels (20 in), faster AC charging capability (22 kW onboard), adaptive headlights, snow mode, digital rear view mirror and premium Nappa leather trim, at a notable price premium.
Interior, usability and packaging
The Nissan Ariya cabin aims for a premium, cohesive look in higher grades: 12.3-inch screens for driver and infotainment, tasteful suede/blue Nappa leather options in top trims, and a sweeping dashboard panel with wood-look trim. Practical highlights include large bottle holders, seat memory for the driver, three top tether points and ISOFIX anchors with zip covers.
However, the Nissan Ariya coupe-style roofline affects rear headroom and the overall cargo box profile. Measured practicality notes:
- Boot: 466 L – smaller than many direct rivals in the segment.
- No frunk and no spare wheel (tyre repair kit and cable storage beneath the floor).
- Rear seats slide and offer a flat floor, but tall adults may feel tight for headroom.
Infotainment is functional, wireless Apple CarPlay is standard, Android Auto requires a cable, but the system’s presentation feels less cutting-edge than some newer competitors.
Nissan Ariya Driving impressions
The Nissan Ariya presents a quiet, refined character with generally agreeable steering and refinement. Drive feel varies by drivetrain:
- Front-drive models: composed and competent but not especially engaging.
- Evolve AWD: noticeably quicker and more planted, with stronger acceleration and better mid-corner traction.
Ride quality is pragmatic rather than plush: the Ariya transmits smaller road imperfections and can feel firm over sharp bumps. Regenerative braking offers a usable “B” mode and an e-pedal setting but does not bring the car to a complete stop, it slows to roughly ~10 km/h and then requires brake input to finish the stop.
Safety and driver-assist systems are generally well-calibrated and unobtrusive: adaptive cruise with lane assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and pedestrian/cyclist detection are included in the kit.
Nissan Ariya Efficiency, range and charging
- 63 kWh (FWD): claimed ~385 km, modest by class standards.
- 87 kWh (FWD): claimed ~504 km.
- 87 kWh (AWD): claimed ~487 km (larger wheels and extra mass reduce range).
Charging: standard AC charging is 7.4 kW on lower grades; a 22 kW three-phase charger is optional for Advance Plus and standard on Evolve, useful for owners with access to three-phase power. DC rapid charging capability is shared across the line and delivers 10–80% in roughly 35–40 minutes, slower than some rivals offering higher peak DC rates.
Safety and ownership
The Nissan Ariya carries a maximum ANCAP safety rating (applies from markets where tested) and includes seven airbags (front, front-side, front-centre, and curtain coverage), plus extensive active safety systems. Ownership support:
- 5-year unlimited km base warranty; conditional 10-year / 300,000 km warranty if serviced through Nissan workshops.
- Battery warranty: 8 years / 160,000 km.
- Cap-price servicing and 12 months roadside assist are standard, with potential to extend roadside assistance via dealer servicing.
Boot-room, practical caveats and running considerations
Practical compromises may be decisive for family buyers:
- Limited boot volume (466 L) compared with some class rivals.
- No frunk limits daytime storage flexibility.
- Slower DC charge and modest entry-level range may make long-distance driving less convenient compared with newer competitors.
Key rivals to consider
Buyers should compare the Ariya against several compelling alternatives, particularly from more recent Chinese EV entrants that push range, price and standard equipment:
- Zeekr 7X: a technology-led mid-size EV with strong specification and competitive range figures, positioned as a value-rich alternative.
- XPeng G6: coupe-styled electric SUV that offers competitive battery sizes (including ~87 kWh options), strong claimed range and high charging capability in certain variants. It presents a spacious interior and attractive value in some markets.
- Volkswagen ID.4: a mainstream, well-established competitor with broad dealer support; Australian pricing for recent model introductions has been from about $59,990 (before on-road costs) for the rear-drive Pro in 2025 market activity. The ID.4 remains a credible choice for buyers seeking established brand backing.
Verdict Who should consider the Nissan Ariya?
The Nissan Ariya is a well-crafted, safe and comfortable mid-size electric SUV that will suit buyers prioritising brand familiarity, interior refinement and a pleasant day-to-day driving experience. However, for buyers who place maximum priority on outright EV range, the fastest DC charging or the largest cargo hold, there are now several rivals that offer stronger headline figures and, in some cases, better value.
The Ariya’s strongest cards are its refined cabin (in higher grades), complete safety suite and a clear warranty pathway if you plan to service with Nissan. Its weaknesses are smaller boot capacity, conservative charging rates and range in lower battery spec models, factors that matter increasingly in 2025’s crowded EV market.
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