When it comes to electric cars, the landscape has been rapidly changing over the last 12-14 months. Companies that boldly declared they’d be totally electric by the end of the decade have largely backed off of that plan. Other companies have shelved future models while continuing to produce their existing products. Nissan was one of the earliest entrants into the electrified space with the Leaf more than a decade ago. It seemed at the time that the company would be ahead of the trend in their period with rolling out a load of electrified models. As it turns out, Nissan would not release a fresh electrified model until this, the Ariya. We were recently thrown the keys to a 2024 Nissan Ariya Platnium+ e4orce for a week and we spent the time using as any normal customer would.
The Nissan Ariya is a small crossover SUV and it is fully electric, this is not a hybrid. The range is right around 300 miles with a full charge, it makes 389hp, and in this e4orce trim it has all wheel drive. In terms of performance, the Ariya is quick but does not have the sometimes shocking quickness of other EVs we’ve piloted in this class. The 389hp does not come on as one would expect, especially with all wheel drive. That said, this small SUV will make it to 60mph from zero in about five seconds, which is enough to get your attention for sure. The quarter mile time is in the lower half of the 13-second bracket, so again, not slow by any measure but also not the giggle inducing acceleration that can be had by some others in this category of EV crossover.
The driving dynamics of the Ariya are exactly what you’d expect they’d be, really no better or worse than any other vehicle in this class. As this is intended as a comfortable runabout, the suspension is not tuned to take on Laguna Seca or set a new lap time on the ‘Ring. It would be patently unfair to critique the Ariya on its handling performance in the same vein as one would critique a truly performance themed model. We can say this. The suspension is compliant enough to not feel cheap and jarring, which is something we have long complained about regarding crossover style SUVs. It drives with composure and would suit the needs of anyone needing a means of conveyance that they were not planning on autocrossing or clipping every apex they came across on the road.
As we all know, EVs come with a premium price tag and that is the case with this Ariya Platnium+ e4orce. This is the top of the line model and with it comes the top of the line price in the mid-$50k range. As is so often the case with EVs, the tactile experience of driving the car does deliver an elevated kind of feeling for the driver and passengers. For instance, the interior materials and layout are quite nice. We’d say that the seats, digital dash, and hard surfaces are Infinity levels of feel and quality.
Delivering on the back of that is the exceptionally quiet interior cabin which again, elevates the user experience inside the vehicle. Small crossover traditional SUVs are almost all lacking in this area in our opinion. The driving experience and interior FEEL like the price tag should make it feel. Combine the nice things we have already mentioned and then add in the silent, instant torque, brisk acceleration, and lack of a buzzy four banger and gear hunting transmission and it takes the whole thing up several notches. The rear seating room was OK but we expected more leg room from this Ariya. The sloping roof can tighten things up for taller rear seat passengers, as well.
If there is a true selling point for the Atiya Platnium+ it is the quality and overall interior experience.
We’re not sure if there is a more cleanly dash layout in any vehicle for sale in the world today than this one. While we admire the styling and largely minimalist approach, the lack of any tactile buttons doesn’t really spin our crank. The touch style buttons on the dash are fine but can be a little wonky when it comes to winter driving if you have gloves on, or are searching for the right button while actually driving down the road. With more time and muscle memory perhaps this improves but while functional we were not huge fans. The dash/screen integration is clean and unlike so many modern cars with screens growing out of their dashes as seeming after thoughts, this one was cohesive to the design and overall layout.
The steering wheel controls and digital gauge cluster were both functional. Neither are exceptional but perhaps they should not be. There are no more commonly interacted with things in any car than the wheel and the dash. Both of these were totally suitable to our own tastes.
Lastly the center console and shifter carry the simple and clean layout of the dash right to the driver’s hand. Again, the touch style buttons can cause a little fumbling but overall, we’re fans of the interior of the Ariya and feel that it delivers the strongest points that the vehicle has to offer.
Styling wise the Ariya is not exactly a standout performer. The shape of the crossover SUV has become such a dominating thing on the roads and in the parking lots of America, there’s not a whole lot that stylists can do with these anymore to set one apart from the other. The smoothed front of the Ariya is an EV staple as are the wheels which follow a common theme of being so thickly spoked to be nearly smooth faced.
The black fender flares add some character to the body and blend nicely with the dark blue paint.
It’s hard to say a whole lot else on the styling front because frankly, as we mentioned above, if you placed 100 crossovers in a row you’d find an exceptional lack of visual diversity in them. You either seem to enjoy this shape or something close to it, or don’t.
In closing, the 2024 Ariya Platnium+ e4orce is a fine example of an EV crossover. The driving experience in terms of performance is superior to any gasoline powered variant in the class and can hold its own with other EVs. No, it is not an elite electrified hot rod, but for normal day to day, non-performance driving, it delivers the goods in power, in refinement, and in driving experience. The $55,000 price tag is indicative of this being the highest trim and drivetrain model that can be ordered in the Ariya line. If you enjoy the styling, the functionality, and the layout of the Ariya, it can be had for much less, stripping away some of the luxury items, the AWD, and the dual motors.
We’d have no problem recommending adding the 2024 Ariya to your shopping list if an EV crossover is part of your car buying strategy. It may have been a long time in coming for Nissan but it’s an entrant into a crowded space that can hold its own on every level with its competition.
