The 2023 Nissan Ariya is the company’s first all-electric SUV, entering a highly competitive market segment for electric crossovers. With a starting price of $43,190, the roomy Ariya follows Nissan’s successful sale of over 600,000 Leaf EVs. In this article, we will explore the Ariya’s features, competitors, and Nissan’s future plans for electric vehicles.
Competing with Audi’s Q4 e-tron
Audi has introduced a ground-up electric SUV called the Q4 e-tron, which has a coupeified variant available in two flavors. The two-wheel-drive 40 Sportback e-tron has a 77kWh (usable) battery and a rear 201bhp motor with an electric range of up to 328 miles. The 50 e-tron Sportback quattro has the same battery but with an extra front motor for four-wheel drive, boosting power to 295bhp but reducing the official range to 318 miles. Coupeified crossovers sacrifice a little headroom and bootspace in favor of style compared to their full-size SUV sibling, and buyers can expect to pay around £1.5k extra for the coupeified variant.
Nissan’s Ambition 2030 Strategy and the Arizon Concept
Nissan unveiled the Arizon Concept, a new electric SUV, at the Shanghai Auto Show. It may become a China-exclusive model due to the competitive Chinese electric car market. The Arizon Concept features sculpted lines, advanced technology, and the CMF-EV platform, which provides a low center of gravity, spacious interior, and high-tech features. Nissan plans to introduce up to 19 new electric vehicles by 2030 as part of its Ambition 2030 Strategy. It is unclear if the Arizon Concept will be available in the United States or globally.
Award-Winning Interior and User Experience
The 2023 Nissan Ariya has been named one of the Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX for 2023. The award recognizes the vehicle’s visually striking and highly functional interior. Judges evaluate vehicles based on design, comfort, materials, connectivity, controls, and value. The Ariya’s interior features a flat, open floor and a minimalist instrument panel that blends seamlessly with the shape of the cabin and transitions into the doors. The Ariya is Nissan’s first all-electric crossover and offers seamless and purposeful technology that
integrates and elevates Ariya’s driving capabilities. Features include available ProPILOT Assist 2.0 advanced driver assistance technology, standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Alexa integration.
European Midsize SUV Market Trends
The midsize SUV segment in Europe is diverse in terms of powertrain mix, with full-electric variants making up the largest share at 40%. Gasoline and diesel sales increased in the first quarter, while hybrid and plug-in hybrid sales slipped. Segment sales grew 15% in the first quarter to 148,628. Skoda’s Kodiaq finished the first quarter as Europe’s No. 1-selling midsize SUV. Toyota lost the leadership of the volume midsize SUV segment due to severe supply issues with the RAV4. The overall market share of the segment in Europe is relatively small at 4.6%. Volume brands often launch larger, more globally relevant electric SUVs in advance of Europe-specific models.
