Listen to this articleTim Levin/Insider
- Nissan recently started selling its new electric SUV, the 2023 Ariya, and I got to drive it.
- It’s a strong rival to Tesla, but not as tech-forward and fun to drive.
- The 2023 Ariya Empower+ that Nissan loaned to me costs just under $60,000.
More than a decade after releasing the pioneering Leaf in 2010, Nissan is back with its second electric vehicle.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+
Tim Levin/Insider
It’s called the Ariya, and I got to drive it.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Let me show you around the new Tesla rival and tell you everything you need to know.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
The 2023 Ariya SUV comes in a variety of trim levels and battery sizes. The cheapest model retails for $43,190.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Choose a fancier trim and some options, and you could pay around $60,000. That’s the cost of the Ariya Empower+ model that Nissan loaned me.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+
Tim Levin/Insider
All-wheel drive is optional and adds an extra motor. The SUV I tested was front-wheel drive.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+
Tim Levin/Insider
When it comes to styling, the Ariya isn’t quite as futuristic looking as a Kia EV6 or Polestar 2, but it isn’t boring either. It’s stylish and somewhat distinctive, but not over the top.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Hop inside and you’re greeted by a surprisingly spacious and upscale-feeling interior.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+
Tim Levin/Insider
My test car had leatherette seats, faux-wood trim, and a big moonroof.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Without an engine taking up space, electric cars offer a lot more packaging flexibility than gas vehicles, often creating more room for passengers and cargo.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+
Tim Levin/Insider
Some companies take advantage of that freedom better than others. And the Ariya feels super spacious and open.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Read more: The 14 longest-lasting SUVs that are most likely to drive 250,000 miles
Nissan created a large open space in front of the center console, which makes the whole cabin feel airy instead of cramped.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
The back seats are roomy. Even with the driver’s seat all the way back, I still had ample legroom.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Plus, back-seat passengers get USB ports and, optionally, heated seats.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
One quirk of the Ariya: You can choose an adjustable center console that moves forward and backward using little buttons facing the driver.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+
Tim Levin/Insider
Here it is in its farthest-back position.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Read more: The 23 longest-lasting cars, trucks, and SUVs that are most likely to hit 250,000 miles
Slim air vents running across the width of the vehicle and a lack of buttons add to the minimalist, uncluttered vibe.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Capacitive buttons — the kind you tap rather than click — are integrated into wood pieces on the dashboard and center console.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+
Tim Levin/Insider
That means you don’t have to use the touchscreen for some of the most-used functions, like the temperature and fan speed.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+
Tim Levin/Insider
Open and close switches by the gear selector grant access to a funky storage drawer that electronically drops out from under the dash.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
You can use it as a little desk if you keep the cover on.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Drivers get a digital gauge cluster and a touchscreen on a curved panel.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Both screens are easy to read and operate.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+
Tim Levin/Insider
But they’re pretty basic and don’t offer all the tech features you’d find in a car like a Tesla.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Read more: After testing more than 25 electric cars, these 5 were the most fun to drive
My tester came with extra tech like a digital rear-view mirror. It helped with rearward visibility, since the Ariya’s back window is tiny.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
The Ariya drives a lot like other mainstream electric SUVs. It’s quiet and smooth.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+
Tim Levin/Insider
Like in other EVs, acceleration comes on abruptly and helps with quick merges. But overall, the front-wheel-drive Ariya isn’t as exciting behind the wheel as other electric models.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
The all-wheel-drive, dual-motor model offers more power, but I haven’t tested that one.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Where the Ariya really excels is range. My tester is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency for 289 miles, and the longest-range version goes up to 304.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
I also enjoyed ProPilot 2.0, Nissan’s driver-assistance feature that offers hands-free driving on some highways.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
It relieved the monotony of stop-and-go traffic and uses cameras to make sure you pay attention when it’s engaged. That’s a nice safety feature.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
All Ariyas come with a generous assortment of safety tech, including blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping, and rear cross-traffic alerts.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
Between its stylish interior, straightforward controls, and healthy range, the Ariya is a great little SUV. It proves that 13 years after helping pioneer electric cars with the Leaf, Nissan is ready to challenge today’s best EVs.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.
Tim Levin/Insider
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