New Nissan ARIYA EV is a Force of Wonder. Now From Just €39,995.

Nissan ARIYA EV is a Force of Wonder. Now Priced From Just €39,995.                           

The all-new, fully-electric Nissan ARIYA is a stunning expression of Nissan’s new vision. Nissan beat its rivals to market with the LEAF electric hatchback when it was launched in 2010, with the brand becoming an electric pioneer in the process. The ARIYA is Nissan’s second full EV model for Europe, and the futuristically-styled electric SUV sets new standards for quality, drivability and technology for the brand. Underneath the sleek, coupé SUV-style body sits the Renault-Nissan Alliance CMF-EV platform, which is shared with the all-new Renault Mégane E-Tech family crossover. However, at 4,595mm long, the ARIYA is bigger than its French relative, and its 2,775mm wheelbase results in generous space for up to five adult occupants.

Futuristic Styling.

The exterior design of the ARIYA looks absolutely striking from every angle, and it is certainly a feast for the eyes. A single horizon line replaces fussy contours, while thin LED headlights shine at night, then disappear during the day. With its large front grille, sloping roofline and striking rear light design, the ARIYA brings the future of motoring to the here-and-now. The high-quality cabin in the ARIYA is refreshingly spacious and is a true feast for the senses, as it successfully combines wood-effect trim with premium-feel upholstery, while the ambient lighting, which is inspired by traditional Japanese lanterns, is a nice touch. Instead of traditional dials to operate the heating and ventilation functions, Nissan has used a row of intuitive haptic controls set into the dash below the 12.3-inch infotainment screen.

The twin screens are large and clear, while the speed when responding to touch commands is impressive. The map display is also bright and clear, and the system comes with the added benefit of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as standard. The ARIYA’s hands-free powered tailgate opens to reveal a boot capacity of 466-litres, while there is extra storage space underneath the boot floor. Ingeniously, the movable boot floor is in two parts, and can be placed vertically to divide the boot into different sections for easy transportation of the weekly grocery shopping, and the likes.

Three Trims, Two Battery Options.

The new ARIYA comes in a choice of three trim levels – Engage, Advance and Evolve – all of which are available with a 63kWh (usable) battery that provides up to 404kms of driving range. However, a larger 87kWh (usable) battery option is available for buyers of Advance and Evolve trim levels, providing a driving range of up to 532kms from a fully charged battery. A single, front-mounted electric motor sends power to the car’s front wheels with all of the above trim and battery options, but a dual motor e-4ORCE all-wheel drivetrain option is available in Advance and Evolve trim variants with the larger battery unit. With e-4ORCE all-wheel drive, torque and braking are controlled for each wheel individually, prioritising those with the most grip to assure uphill ascents and reduce the effects of over- and under-steer.

Generously-Equipped.

Entry-level Engage trim comes generously equipped with standard features such as: 19” alloys, LED headlamps and tail lamps, LED daytime-running lights, LED rear fog lamps, high-beam assist, rain sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, intelligent cruise control, intelligent lane intervention, intelligent driver alertness, intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent emergency braking, dual 12.3” TFT screens, e-Pedal Step (one pedal driving), dual-zone climate control, and lots more besides. Advance trim adds heated front seats, heated leather steering wheel, heated front windscreen, power driver & front passenger 6-way seats, ProPILOT with Navi-Link, wireless phone charger, Intelligent 360-degree Around View Monitor, a powered tailgate, rear privacy glass, and enhanced driver-assistance systems as standard. Evolve specification adds an openable panoramic roof, a BOSE™ sound system with 10 speakers, a camera-based intelligent rear-view mirror, a 10.8-inch Head Up Display, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, part PVC/synthetic suede seats, flexible centre storage, a power sliding centre console, and Adaptive Driving Beam with Auto Level Control, and ProPILOT Park.

Test Car Details.

My test car was a new ARIYA Evolve 87kW (with Nappa Leather), which was finished in Gun Grey Metallic paintwork with gloss black trim elements. The 87kWh battery, when connected to a 242PS (238bhp) electric motor driving the front wheels, leads to a claimed 532km of driving range, while the motor’s 300Nm of torque results in a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 7.6-seconds. The resulting ease of acceleration makes the ARIYA a relaxed car to drive, while an excellent suspension set-up and commendable body control adds greatly to the overall sense of calm within the cabin. Nissan’s ingenious e-Pedal set-up from the LEAF has been rebranded as ‘e-Pedal Step’ for the ARIYA. Although the car won’t come to a complete stop on its own, the level of brake regeneration is enough to enable drivers to rarely have to touch the brakes with any great force at all. Unique to Nissan, e-Pedal Step gives you the option to accelerate and decelerate effectively with just the accelerator pedal at speeds above 10km/h, and it is very easy to get used to. The ARIYA’s steering is light and precise in equal measure, so the car is easy to manoeuvre in and out of tight parking spaces. The low-set dashboard allows for excellent forward vision, while the combination of a 360-degree camera, parking sensors, moving object detection and emergency braking take the strain out of reversing. When connected to a 130kW fast charger for 30-minutes, the battery can gain enough energy for up to 300kms of additional range, while a full charge (0-100%) at home can be completed in about 14-hours via a 7.4kW wallbox charger (10-hours for the 63kWh battery).

Verdict.

The amazing Nissan ARIYA stands out in terms of its futuristic exterior styling, upmarket cabin, supreme refinement, outstanding comfort and cutting-edge EV technology, while the spaciousness within the five-seat SUV is also highly commendable. The ARIYA Engage 63kWh is priced from just €39,995 – inclusive of current Government EV incentives (terms & conditions apply). My ARIYA 87kWh Evolve test car specification is priced from €56,300 (excluding optional Nappa leather upholstery). 

Visit www.nissan.ie for further information.