The Nissan Ariya was revealed back in 2020, yet even now it’s still finding new markets to enter. Nissan Australia has announced that the electric SUV will finally be launched Down Under in September, supplanting the Leaf while the radical new third generation of the latter is being readied.
It’s a much better EV than the hatchback it replaces. The base front-wheel-drive Engage model produces 218 PS (160 kW) and 300 Nm of torque, getting it from zero to 100 km/h in eight seconds flat; a 63 kWh battery provides a range of up to 385 km. Stepping up to the Advance+ boosts the motor to 242 PS (178 kW) and swaps out the battery for an 87 kWh unit to bump up the range to 504 km. Despite the extra power, it’s actually ever so slightly slower to 100 km/h, taking 8.1 seconds.
The range-topping Evolve adds e-4ORCE all-wheel drive thanks to a second motor at the rear, doubling outputs to 394 PS (290 kW) and 600 Nm. This slashes the century sprint to 5.6 seconds but has the unfortunate side effect of trimming range to 487 km.
As for charging, the Ariya supports up to 130 kW of DC fast charging, topping up the battery fro 20 to 80% in 35 minutes with the 63 kWh battery and 40 minutes with the 87 kWh pack. Those figures are rather underwhelming, but at the very least the car can accept the highest 22 kWh of AC power.
Beyond the mechanicals, the Ariya is pretty much unchanged from what we saw all those years ago. According to CarExpert, the car was originally planned for a 2023 launch but was delayed due to Australian regulations that specified a requirement for top tethers for rear child seats, which were not necessary in other big markets.
Despite this, the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) regulations for corporate average emissions introduced this year, which penalises carmakers that went over prescribed limits, meant that the late introduction Ariya was still viable for the company.
The lack of visual changes means the Ariya retains the still-fresh styling, with a distinctive V-motion “shield” front fascia flanked by slim headlights, sharp lines, voluptuous surfacing, a sweeping roofline and full-width taillights. Buyers get a choice of two aerodynamic alloy wheels measuring 19 or, in the case of the Evolve, 20 inches in diameter.
Inside, the futuristic look continues with a simple horizontal dashboard, full-width air vents and a strip of faux wood decor that integrate hidden-until-lit capacitive air-con controls. Sitting behind the two-spoke steering wheel is a widescreen display panel housing two 12.3-inch displays for the instrumentation and the infotainment system.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto and a Qi wireless charger come standard, with the mid-range Advance trim adding a ten-speaker Bose sound system. Oddly enough, you’ll also have to plump for the Advance to gain even power-adjustable front seats. The wide centre console is topped with a pebble-like gear selector and can be slid fore and aft electrically on the Advance+ and up.
All Ariyas in Australia come as standard with six airbags and a full range of ProPilot driver assists, including Level 2 semi-autonomous driving functionality. Prices start at AU$55,840 (RM153,600) and top out at AU$71,840 (RM197,700) for the Evolve.
With the Ariya now making its way to more markets, could we see it entering Malaysia anytime soon? Remember, the car was also tipped for a 2023 launch, with multiple units spotted on our roads before distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) appeared to pull the plug (the same fate seemed to befall the car’s main rival, the Toyota bZ4X). One major roadblock that would hinder a restart of those plans is the ending of tax incentives for CBU fully-imported EVs this year, with no extension in sight.
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