The Nissan Ariya was already one of those electric cars that you don't just drive past without thinking: hey, that thing looks seriously good. But now, with the recent update, Nissan has decided to make it even a bit better. Not a total revolution, but a clever facelift that makes the car more modern, more user-friendly, and even more appealing to everyone ready to say goodbye to the gas pumps. And let's be honest, in a world where electric driving is the future – and actually already the present – this is exactly the kind of upgrade you want to see.
Let's start with the looks, because that's where most eyes go first. The 'muzzle' – or rather the front – has had a serious refresh. Gone is the big black panel that served as a futuristic grille; instead, you get a sleeker, body-colored front with an illuminated Nissan badge that glows nicely at night. The daytime running lights are now curved with a striped pattern, and the side air intakes have disappeared for a cleaner, minimalist design. The result? A car that looks calmer and wider, inspired by the new Leaf, but without getting boring. The rear stays largely the same, with that signature through-running light bar, but there are hints of subtle tweaks to the taillights. All in all, the Ariya now looks even more like a crossover ready for the city or the highway, without unnecessary frills.
But the real fun is inside, and I'm talking about the technology. Nissan has given the infotainment system a serious boost by integrating Google built-in. Forget the old NissanConnect; now you have native access to Google Maps for seamless navigation, Google Assistant for voice commands that actually work, and the Play Store for apps right on your dashboard. Imagine streaming your favorite podcast on the go or quickly finding a charging station without fussing with your phone – it's that kind of convenience that makes electric driving even more fun. And it responds faster, which is a relief compared to the sometimes sluggish systems of yesteryear. This puts the Ariya on par with competitors like the Volvo EX40 or Polestar 2, but with that typical Nissan feel of reliability.
Under the hood – or rather under the floor – the basic specs remain familiar, but with a few clever tweaks. You have a choice of 63 kWh or 87 kWh batteries, with a range of up to 533 km on the WLTP cycle for the larger version. That means you can drive from Brussels to Amsterdam without stress, and with DC fast charging up to 130 kW, you're back on the road in no time. Performance? Depending on the model, up to 389 hp and 442 Nm of torque, with options for front-wheel drive or the all-wheel-drive e-4ORCE for extra grip. The new feature is vehicle-to-load (V2L), which lets you use the battery to charge external devices – think a laptop at the campsite or tools on a job site. And the suspension has been refined for a more comfortable ride, which makes all the difference on bumpy roads. We might even see a slight improvement in efficiency, so that range could climb a bit higher.
Price-wise, it remains affordable: starting around 45,000 euros, depending on the market, and with all the EV incentives, it's a smart buy. Availability? First in Japan by the end of this year, but Europe follows in early 2026, so the wait is short.
In short, this update is a masterstroke from Nissan: it keeps the Ariya fresh and relevant in a market that's evolving at breakneck speed. Electric driving isn't just green, it's also more practical and more exciting than ever. And if you're now tempted to try one out, remember: readers can also visit our marketplace where you can search for and buy electric cars (100% electric). Check out the offer here: https://volty.be/nl/buy/cars/overview/.
