As the number of EVs on the road is rapidly increasing, it is only normal for automakers to take part in the journey of electrification. Be it new or electrifying their existing fleets, all popular brands have embarked on this journey for quite some time now. And the results are some amazing EVs that may be even better than the top EV makers such as Tesla, Lucid Motors, and many others. And one such automaker that has been experimenting and succeeding in the EV world is Nissan. It’s been over a decade since Nissan’s LEAF came out, and while the history of Nissan’s relationship with EVs started even longer before, we are all looking forward to its next hit on the road, the Nissan Ariya electric SUV.

The bold and stylish compact SUV created much-needed hype before its launch, and it is no surprise considering Nissan’s 70+ years of innovation in the field of electric vehicles. Nissan Ariya definitely made a strong first impression from its very first debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, and now it is finally going from a concept to a reality. The Nissan Ariya release date was pushed from 2021 to late 2022, and now the all-electric crossover 2023 Nissan Ariya has finally hit the road. But the big question remains. Is the new Nissan Ariya worth the buy? Here are 5 reasons why the Nissan Ariya is worth the try and 5 reasons it isn’t.

Related: How Does The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Square Up Against The Tesla Model Y?

1 Pro: It Is An Ideal First EV

2023 Nissan Ariya
Nissan
A front shot of a 2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ e-4ORCE AWD in a two-tone copper/black exterior. 

Nissan Ariya is definitely an ideal EV for first-time EV buyers as it offers a smooth ride compared to a typical crossover SUV. With a relaxed suspension for more comfort over performance, the EV provides much more stability and control during bumpy rides, even at a higher speed. The Ariya has achieved a 50/50 weight balance with this design, making the car an excellent EV to handle. The cabin experience in the Nissan Ariya is fairly relaxed, with little to no wind or road noise entering. This spreads to the light steering of the car as well, which makes for more balanced and accurate maneuvering. Moreover, the regenerative braking system of the Nissan Ariya can also be influenced by the driving mode for maximum energy savings and an effortless driving experience.

2 Con: The Nissan Ariya Will Give You Range Anxiety

2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ 4ORCE AWD
Nissan
A front three-quarter shot of a 2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ 4ORCE AWD moving at a high speed.

The Nissan Ariya's range performance is not the best. It comes in five trims with two different batteries. Four out of the five trims will be front-wheel drive, and it coupled with the 63 kWh battery, can offer a range of up to 216 miles. The larger 87 kWh battery with front-wheel drive comes with an estimated 304 miles of range, and on the all-wheel drive model, it can go up to 270 miles. The Ventura Plus trim of Nissan Ariya is the only trim that delivers a range of 304 miles as a front-wheel drive with a single motor, while the more expensive trims like the Evolve Plus and Engage Plus offer a maximum range of just 289 miles as an all-wheel drive. This makes this modern EV less impressive than its EV alternatives like the Kia EV6 or the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which delivers a better range and performance with similar specs to the 2023 Nissan Ariya.

Related: The Most Reliable Electric Cars According To Consumer Reports

3 Pro: Has A Stylish Yet Comfy Interior

2023 Nissan Ariya
Nissan
A shot of the front-row seat and interior of a 2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ 4ORCE AWD.

The Nissan Ariya comes with spacious and comfortable interior settings, which is definitely something to talk about. The interior combines technology, comfort, and craftsmanship without any flaws. The EV's flat floor expands the cabin's layout and provides ample space in the second row. The subtle welcome lights on the floor and the door panels give the interior a luxury ambiance. Furthermore, the Zero Gravity front seats reduce pressure on the body's hot spots, and this is even more beneficial if you take the Nissan Ariya for a long drive.

For a more accessible cockpit, a simple push of a button can slide the entire console back and forth, opening up more space based on your driving comfort needs. Moreover, the dash tray is positioned for easy access on demand for additional storage. The Nissan Ariya also features heated and cooled front and rear outboard seats and special sound isolation. It also comes with a memory system that can remember your favorite seat, steering wheel, and side mirror positions and apply them with just a quick touch.

4 Con: It Is Expensive Even For The Entry-Level Model

2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ 4ORCE AWD in two-tone exterior.
Nissan
A rear three-quarter shot of a 2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ 4ORCE AWD in the two-tone exterior.

The price of the Nissan Ariya is a hard pill to swallow. It is entering a crowded segment, and it is obvious that this EV is going to have competition. The Nissan Ariya price starts at around $44,000 for its base model front-wheel drive with a smaller battery. Though it is slightly less than the Ford Mustang Mach-E ($45,995), the Mustang Mach-E comes with a better range, horsepower, and acceleration time. Moreover, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit, whereas the Nissan Ariya is not. If you are opting for a larger battery on the Nissan Ariya, the price shoots up to $48,000, and a top trim with the dual motor will cost you around $61,000, which is close to the price of the Tesla Model Y. At this price, you have more EV options such as the Volkswagen ID.4 ($37,495), the Hyundai Ioniq 5 ($41,450), the Toyota bZ4X ($42,000) and a few others.

Related: 5 Ways The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Is Better Than The Ford Mustang Mach-E

5 Pro: Great Connectivity Capabilities

2023 Nissan Ariya dashboard and display
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The 12.3-inch dual display screen on a 2023 Nissan Ariya.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya doesn't fall short of other EVs when it comes to its connectivity features. The Ariya comes with two 12.3-inch displays to access a whole lot of information simultaneously with a single touch. Both displays have plenty of landscape to keep you updated, from driver assistance features to the weather to your playlist. To get a closer look at the map or anything on display, you can simply swipe it to the display closer to you and zoom in. It also has built-in Alexa for playing your favorite music and controlling your smart home devices. The "Hello Nissan," Ariya's voice control feature, is another cool benefit that does plenty of work for you, such as dialing a contact, booking a table at a restaurant, or even adjusting the temperature in the car.

In addition, the Nissan Ariya also has an Intelligent Route Planner, part of the NissanConnect Services, that will help you spot nearby charging points and even set the ideal temperature in the car while it is still charging for improved battery capacity and traveling comfort. The enriched audio experience on the all-new Nissan Ariya is supported by SiriusXM with 360L. The highlight of the Nissan Ariya's connectivity is its over-the-air updates, which means your updates are downloaded even when you are driving and are installed on the next off/on cycle without any interruption.

6 Con: The Quirky Exterior May Not Be To Everyone's Liking

2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ e-4ORCE AWD
Nissan
A rear-three-quarter shot of a 2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ e-4ORCE AWD.

Though the Nissan Ariya looks quite similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4, it still doesn't give out the futuristic looks we all anticipated. The interior is not a complete minus and bears the EV-like shield grille and angular LED headlights. It also comes in five two-tone and three single-tone shades for the exterior, which too are the basic shades that most Nissan models come in. The coupe-like exterior is eye candy. However, it comes with certain problems. The C-pillars are steep, with a rear spoiler that restricts the interior headroom in the second row. Moreover, the sloping roofline obstructs visibility with the thicker pillars and rear camera.

Related: 5 Ways The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Is Better Than The Kia EV6 GT

7 Pro: Outstanding Driver Assistance Features

2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ 4ORCE AWD
Nissan
The illuminated Nissan badge on a 2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ 4ORCE AWD.

Nissan Ariya's advanced parking technologies and the ProPilot Assist feature are gaining much fame. And that is because the technology is quite good. The Ariya is offered with a choice of two advanced driver assistance systems: ProPilot 2.0, which is the most advanced, and there is ProPilot with Navi-link. The assistance system can help you out in stop-and-go traffic by taking over with hands-free driving. The ProPilot Assist 2.0 feature controls the steering, acceleration, and braking to ensure you are centered in your lane and lets you take your hands off the wheel and feet off the pedals in single-lane freeway driving. And if you are following a preset destination, the assistance feature will let you know when your next is up, and it is good to go. It also comes with freeway mapping and 360 degrees traffic monitoring for that hassle-free driving experience. The assistance system also parks your car for you in a similar manner. The best part? It can even parallel park for you!

8 Con: The FWD Nissan Ariya Is Mediocre

2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ e-4ORCE AWD in copper/black exterior.
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A side shot of a 2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ e-4ORCE AWD in the two-tone copper/black exterior.

The all-wheel drive Platinum Plus Nissan Ariya delivers exciting performance with the new e-4orce and the estimated acceleration from 0-60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. The front-wheel drive is good, too, with decent torque, but not the best you can get at this price range. Though the Nissan Ariya is an easy-to-drive EV, the front-wheel drive powertrain with the smaller battery won't give you the sports car-like exhilaration. The acceleration time from 0-60 mph is 7.2 seconds which is also not rapid by EV standards as front-wheel drive EVs, such as the Hyundai Kona (0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds) or Polestar 2 (0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds), offer a more powerful performance on a similar price range.

Related: 10 Things You Need To Know About The Genesis GV60

9 Pro: It Is A Safe Electric SUV

2023 Nissan Ariya
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An aerial shot of a 2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ e-4ORCE AWD.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya is a safety-first car with tons of features. Like other Nissan models, the Nissan Ariya also has the Safety Shield 360 option that includes everything you need for safe travel. The Automatic Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection in the Nissan Ariya engages the brakes automatically in case of an imminent collision. The Intelligent Forward Collision Warning also monitors the speed and distance of your car and warns you to slow down when it detects sudden deceleration in the car in front of you. And there's more. The Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention is another highlight on the car that detects when you are trying to change lanes and checks if there's another in your blind spot area and applies the brakes if needed and even helps guide your Ariya back into your lane.

10 Con: The Limited Charging Option Is A Disappointment

2023 Nissan Ariya charging options
Nissan
The 2023 Nissan Ariya can go from 10-80 percent of charge in just 40 minutes with a DC quick charger.

The fast charging feature on the Nissan Ariya is just "good enough" and maxes out at 130 kW with the CCS connector. It takes about 40 minutes to charge from 20- to 80-percent, and if you look at the alternatives, like the Kia EV6 or the Hyundai Ioniq 5, they charge much faster. With the 240-V outlet for a level 2 charge, it will take the Nissan Ariya about 10.5 hours to charge with the 63 kWh batter and 14 hours with the 87 kWh battery to go from 0-100 percent. Whereas on a Hyundai Ioniq 5, the charging time is about 7 hours with the level 2 charger. However, with a DC quick charger, the charging time in Nissan Ariyan is reduced to 35 minutes, with the 63 kWh battery going from 10-80 percent. This is still not as impressive compared to the better charging capabilities available on the other modern EVs out there.