Nissan ARIYA: first impressions from Fully Charged Outside

As the first taste of Nissan’s fresh new vision for its next generation of all-electric cars, the Nissan ARIYA is designed to stand out. Which is why – on its first appearance in the UK, at Fully Charged Outside – it was a star attraction.

Nissan had a major presence at the three-day EV event, with its stand a key stopping point for the huge crowds of electric converts and budding electric drivers. So, we asked them to give their verdict on the Nissan ARIYA.

Over the past 10 years, the renowned and multiple award-winning Nissan LEAF has led the way in bringing electric driving to the mainstream. Now, the Nissan ARIYA’s sleek coupé crossover profile and thin LED headlights give an impressive taste of the future styling for Nissan’s all-electric models. But it’s inside where the Nissan ARIYA truly rethinks electric design. 

The prototype of the Nissan ARIYA on show at Fully Charged Outside gave UK EV intenders their first chance to take a look at its pace-setting style. 

With a genuinely clean-sheet ground-up all-electric chassis, featuring compact electric motors and low-slung battery packs, Nissan’s designers have pushed the wheels to each corner. Compact on the outside, and capacious inside, the Nissan ARIYA brings new meaning to the idea of ‘interior space’.

A sliding centre console works with the flat floor to create a lounge-like feel. The Nissan ARIYA also boasts impressive in-car tech – with the large, customisable twin 12.3” HD displays, working with Nissan voice control and Intelligent Route Planner, as well as Amazon Alexa^®, Android Auto^™ and Wireless Apple CarPlay^® connectivity to put you in command.^[1][2] Equally, Nissan’s driver-friendly e-Pedal Step and advanced ProPILOT and ProPILOT Park help make journeys easier and safer.^[3]

Both the Nissan ARIYA 63kWh, with up to 223 miles of range (WLTP combined), and the Nissan ARIYA 87kWh, with up to 310 miles (WLTP combined) offer an impressive driving experience.^[4] 

But, opt for the range-topping Nissan ARIYA e-4ORCE Performance model, and you gain access to a sportscar-like 394PS and 600Nm of electrifying torque, with e-4ORCE all-wheel-drive providing a dynamic driving experience combining comfort and control with instant acceleration. The result: 0-60mph in as little as 4.8s. So, what did the visitors to Nissan’s stand at Fully Charged Outside think?

Learn more about the Nissan ARIYA 

George Darby and Joanne Rogers are just starting out on their electric journey, but they loved the Nissan ARIYA’s fresh-feeling design: “It’s impressively spacious and futuristic – especially inside, which is nice, airy and light, thanks to the fact that you haven’t got the big centre console where you’d normally have a drivetrain. That’s part of the appeal with electric cars. You want something clean and simple. You don’t want too much fuss. But it feels like you’re doing something new when you’re sat in the car.” 

Jason and Rachel Weeks have a BMW i3 as a small second car, but they’re now looking for an all-electric replacement for their main family vehicle: “Other electric models look a bit wacky and edgy, but the Nissan ARIYA looks smart – futuristic, with an element of class. Then there’s the space. We’ve got a dog, two boys, we go skiing, fishing, and we go to Cornwall. So, to find an electric family car that can get all of that in, and a couple of suitcases, is hard. The range also feels like it will be more than enough. The Nissan ARIYA has definitely surprised us.”

Lee Simpson is an electric convert, having owned a Nissan LEAF for nearly two years. He’s now looking to replace that – and has already registered interest in the Nissan ARIYA: “I’m a high-mileage business user – 20,000 miles a year – so I need something with good range, that drives well on motorways, and is a large family car. I love the Nissan ARIYA’s interior with the flat floor. It’s impressive how much space there is, and it looks very futuristic. I love the flat display screens and how you can customise them. I didn’t realise you can tow as well, which is a bonus as we have a caravan.”

Keith and Suzanne Ridgeway are looking to buy their first electric car, and have test-driven the Jaguar I-Pace, the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model S. They were impressed by the Nissan ARIYA’s tech and Nissan’s electric pedigree: “We have two teenagers, so we’re looking for an SUV-sized car. The Nissan ARIYA is much bigger inside than we expected – especially the boot, which feels enormous. The rear headroom seems good, too. It’s very clean and tidy, and the dashboard is uncluttered, which is nice. The Nissan ARIYA feels like a big change for Nissan. We know Nissan has good electric pedigree from the Nissan LEAF. Other brands are a bit newer to the market, which is a concern. But, for Nissan, there’s history there.”

Self-confessed gadget freak Andy Campbell and Becky Campbell are well-versed in electric, with a BMW i3 and a Polestar 2 on the driveway. But they’re on the lookout for what’s next: “I knew a little bit about the Nissan ARIYA, but I’ve been really impressed. It’s a nice, sleek-looking car that looks even better in the flesh than it does in the pictures. We love the interior – nice and clean, with a good-size boot. Equally the towing capacity, which is good for us, as we have a caravan. A really nice-looking car. It’s got all of the right features, and the right range. It has definitely piqued my interest.”

Leila Rutty has already experienced the joy of electric driving in her husband’s Honda e, and is looking to replace her hybrid with a larger all-electric model that is perfect for regular road trips abroad: “We drive abroad a lot, so we need a longer-range electric car than a city car, with lots of space. I didn’t know much about the Nissan ARIYA, but I was really drawn by the look of it – a nice balance, not too futuristic. It also has a generous boot. They’ve really used the space well. The fact it’s a Nissan would be a big tick, because they’ve got that EV experience from the Nissan LEAF – which makes it a trusted brand.”

Brothers Ryan and James Nowell are a bit hesitant about making the electric switch. But, they said the opportunities to rethink the interior of electric cars is the most compelling reason to put the Nissan ARIYA on their shortlist: “The way pure ground-up electric cars can rethink the design to get more space is what makes them stand out. That’s the game-changer. The interior of the Nissan ARIYA is really nice, and compared to some of the competition maybe has an upper hand. I like the two screens and the fact your passenger can set the nav and swipe it across. The moveable centre console is good. Other cars seem to have kept that big centre console. When you’ve got that open flat floor at the front, you get that lounge feeling. Quite a step for Nissan in terms of style. They’ve really upped their game.”

James and Amanda White have previously driven a Renault Zoe. But, now that their family is growing, they need something bigger and more practical: “The Nissan ARIYA looked good in the pictures, and the spec seemed good for performance and range. Now we’ve seen it, it’s even better. The boot is a lot bigger than you’d think – really spacious. We like the dashboard with the screens going across, and the flat floor is nice for legroom. This is a step on for Nissan. The Nissan LEAF has carried nicely, but this offers more space. Plus, with CCS charging rather than CHAdeMO, it has more options for charging. Definitely one to look at.”

Martin Hickman and Joanne Needham are new to electric driving. But, with concerns about climate change, they’re now planning to make the switch: “We’ve currently got a Nissan Qashqai, so we’re familiar with Nissan as a brand and the Nissan ARIYA feels like an interesting electric alternative to our current car. As it’s a ground-up electric vehicle, its style really stands out – especially the futuristic-looking interior, with its nice clean lines and the big touchscreens. If I’m driving something that’s electric and the future, I want to feel like I’m in the future.”

Learn more about the Nissan ARIYA 

^[1] Images shown are for guidance purposes – prototype vehicle. UK spec may vary. The features shown may be standard and/or optional (at an extra charge) on selected models.

^[2] Amazon, Alexa^® and all related marks are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Certain Alexa functionality is dependent on smart home technology. Connecting a mobile phone to use Nissan Connect should only be done if the car is parked safely. Use of the system should always be in accordance with the rules of the Highway Code. Drivers should only use the system when it is safe to do so. Users should be aware of the potential for hands-free technology to distract attention from the road, which could impact on having full control of the vehicle. Feature responsiveness and use can be impacted when car is receiving a bad signal. For optimal use, please make sure your car is under good network coverage.

^[3] ProPILOT is an Advanced Driver Assist technology but cannot prevent collisions. ProPILOT is intended for “Eyes on/Hands On” for highways only (road separated by barriers). It is the driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive safely and be in control of the vehicle at all times. You should not rely solely on driver convenience features. Some features may not work in all conditions and circumstances. Speed and other limitations apply. For more information, please refer to the owner’s manual or visit www.nissan.co.uk/techterms.For terms and conditions relating to Nissan technologies, please contact your Nissan dealer or www.nissan.co.uk

^[4] WLTP cycle pending official homologation in 2021. WLTP figures shown are for comparability purposes. Actual real-world driving results may vary depending on factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted after registration, weather conditions, driving styles and vehicle load.