The Nissan Ariya is the brand's 100% electric option within the SUV or crossover segment, a model designed and manufactured in Japan, but which is very well accepted here in the European market.
Currently the Spanish range is articulated in a single top-of-the-range finish and three possible mechanical versions; the 218 hp 63 kWh lithium-ion battery, the 83 kWh and 242 hp, both front-wheel drive, and the 306 hp version with dual motor and all-wheel drive and the same 83 kWh battery.
Some models that are offered in a range of prices ranging from 55,400 euros that the unit that we tested today costs to 64,000 euros, a high cost that, however, we will see that it is quite justified by the approach to equipment and performance of the vehicle. .
As we say, for this test we bring you the entry-level mechanical version of the range, such as the 63 kWh Ariya Evolve, a model that, with a theoretical autonomy of 400 km, can be an interesting alternative for those looking for a car for a daily use on short journeys.
And it is that this model with its 218 CV and front-wheel drive offers us more than enough benefits to move with ease on a day-to-day basis, with a fairly good acceleration capacity from a standstill, but with a better recovery capacity at low speeds, where Of course, it is at the level of any electric in its competition.
It has three operating modes, Eco, Normal and Sport, in addition to the e-Pedal system with which we can accelerate and regenerate the battery current while braking the car just by releasing the accelerator pedal, which as You know it is a useful option for urban driving.
This e-Pedal mode is not as intrusive as other brands and it will almost always be necessary to bring the vehicle to a complete stop with the brake pedal. In return the feel and modulation of the throttle is quite precise, which helps efficient driving.
In terms of autonomy, the usual thing will be to move through ranges of between 300 and 380 km depending on the driving style, the route and the ambient temperature, but during the test, in a very calm, mixed use of city, highway and express roads and exclusively With ECO mode, the average consumption of this unit has moved to around 16.9 kWh per 100 km, which leads to a punctual autonomy of 370 km.
A separate issue is charging because Nissan offers standard AC connections of only 7.4 kW, something very fair in terms of power and waiting times, so a 22 kW charger can be optionally mounted to improve this aspect. .
On the contrary, in fast charging, in this case by type 2 cable, leaving aside the CHAdeMO connections of the Japanese market, it has a power of 130 kW, which allows charging up to 80% in just 40 minutes of connection and 100% in less than an hour.
The frame is very comfortable, very well insulated in every way, and with a suspension that correctly filters the irregularities of the ground and although it is initially too firm, it later shows some swaying in determined driving, which is certainly not the philosophy of the Ariya.
Its steering is very precise and of course it has all the ProPILOT Assist technology with a level 2 semi-autonomous driving and therefore capable of maintaining the predefined speed and distance with automatic braking with pedestrian detection, keeping in the lane and anticipating the road through the navigation system.
At the same time, it is also equipped with ProPILOT Park with which the car automates parking, taking over the steering, accelerator and braking.
As you can see an electric car in the segment average and that in this case is reinforced with a Crossover concept of good habitability and better quality.
The Ariya is a 4.6 meter long car, with good habitability, with a clear design. The front seats are relatively wide, but very comfortable and with multiple electrical adjustments, as well as heating and ventilation for this Evolve trim.
The second row of seats is quite spacious with good legroom, albeit with a slightly high floor. The trunk, on the other hand, with 468 liters, is something fair compared to its most direct rivals and which are models that have already gone through this channel such as the Hyundai Ioniq5, the Aiways U5 or the Skoda Enyaq to name a few.
This model designed and manufactured in Japan has a very high commitment to quality and a very unique design, both in materials, imitation wood and leather, and in details such as the electric retractable center console, with touch controls and almost camouflaged for the management of driving modes and the e-Pedal, -unintuitive to use, really- or others such as those of the central electrified glove box.
As for controls, there are few and almost all of them can be managed through the 12.3-inch central screen, the same size as the control panel and which, in addition, in this finish is complemented by a basic Head-up display system in its information, but good visibility thanks to its projection size of 10”.
And it is that this Evolve finish is also completed with a Bose sound system with 10 speakers, Wifi connection for devices with Google compatibility, Amazon Alexa Auto, 360-degree camera with detection of moving objects or the practicable panoramic glass roof among other elements and that partly justify that initial price of 55,400 euros.
