Nissan is tipping its hat to the fast-growing compact SUV electric vehicle market with the new Ariya. This small electric SUV is ready to take on the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Volkswagen ID.4 and Tesla Model Y. This electrifying battle offers green buyers more options than ever before in this class.

All five models mentioned offer specific characteristics, but only one is a Heritage EV. The Nissan Ariya benefits from the history of the Leaf, which was launched in 2010. The Nissan Leaf has sold over half a million models worldwide, giving the Ariya the leading position in this market.

Here are five key features this Nissan electric SUV adds to your driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya is the right size?

According to AutoGuide.com, the Ariya fits perfectly into the compact crossover EV class. The length of 182.9 inches makes this Nissan slightly longer than the Ioniq 5 but shorter than the Mach-E. You will feel more comfortable driving the Ariya than the other models because the Nissan is wider than all the others at 74.8 inches in diameter.

How does the Ariya compare to the Rogue?

The Nissan Rogue is often the standard for the brand, largely due to its high sales rate. While similar in size, the Nissan Ariya is thicker than the Rogue, and it brings with it a sleek roofline with a lower stance. The clean lines and extended wheelbase look great on this compact crossover.

A new look at the front of this Nissan EV

We’re used to the floating V-shape of Nissan’s grille on gas-powered vehicles, but the Ariya is an electric vehicle and doesn’t need a grille. The front is a complete design change for the brand, offering a shield-shaped area instead of a grille. You’ll see thin boomerang-shaped headlights up front along with the Nissan logo front and center on the nose.

Where’s the frunk?

The second point of interest for the Ariya is the lack of a front trunk area, or frunk. Many EV models offer more cargo space by opening up that area where a petrol engine would be, giving owners more room to stow. Nissan instead chose to put the climate control system in this part of the vehicle. The result is a thinner dashboard design that gives you a cleaner interior look.

You will see a stunning interior in the Nissan Ariya

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The dashboard’s thin design goes well with the premium materials and spacious cabin feel of this EV crossover. Color and texture give you the look of a modern vehicle that should come with a luxury name while present in a Nissan SUV. Each seat is comfortable, roomy and supportive, giving you a lounge feel in a crossover you can drive every day.

Nissan has dispensed with buttons for the controls in the Ariya, instead opting for touch-capacitive areas as the control panel. Two 12.3-inch high-resolution touchscreens offer the infotainment and instrument displays you want in this SUV.

This electric SUV is equipped with powertrain options

When the Nissan Ariya arrives in America in 2023, it will use an 87.0 kWh battery pack to power either a single electric motor or two of them. Those who opt for the single-engine version can expect 238 hp and 221 lb.-ft. torque, while dual-engine models produce 389 hp and 442 lb.-ft. of torque. The only vehicle in this class with more power than the twin-engine Ariya is the Mustang Mach-E GT. The driving distance of this Nissan on a single charge ranges from 265 to 300 miles, depending on the equipment of the vehicle.

How much does the Nissan Ariya 2023 cost?

Forbes tells us that the starting price for the Ariya is $47,125. That seems a little pricey for a mainstream compact crossover, even one with an electric powertrain. Apply the federal tax credit of at least $7,500 along with any state credits on offer, and the total price drops under $40,000 for the base model, which is much more affordable.

Of course, the base price applies to the entry-level model Venture+. If you go for the Evolve+ version, you’ll pay $50,125, Premiere models $54,625, and the top-of-the-line Platinum+ e-4ORCE AWD $60,125.

How to buy a Nissan Ariya SUV?

Reservations are active for this Nissan EV. A $500 refundable deposit is required to hold your spot in line. The first 10,000 reservations will get the $500 back for charging at EVgo fast charging stations across the country.

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