2024 Nissan Ariya Review: A Bold Electric SUV - But Does It Deliver?

Nissan is no stranger to the EV game. The Leaf has been around for well over a decade, quietly paving the way for mainstream electric cars before Tesla and others made them cool. But the 2024 Nissan Ariya isn’t the Leaf. It’s bigger, bolder, and Nissan’s attempt to go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. It looks the part, but does it actually hold up?

A Design That Doesn't Blend In

Let’s get one thing out of the way: the Ariya is a striking car. It doesn’t look like an aggressive performance SUV, nor does it resemble the hyper-minimalist designs we’re seeing from Tesla. Instead, Nissan has leaned into something...sleeker - an aerodynamic shape with a smooth front grille, a light-up Nissan emblem, and sharp LED headlights that make it stand out without screaming for attention. The two-tone paint jobs are a nice touch, though that’s becoming standard fare in this segment.

Compared to the more squared-off Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the futuristic Polestar 2, the Ariya sits somewhere in the middle - modern, but not weird. It’s about the same size as a Model Y, meaning it’s spacious inside while still being city-friendly.

A Futuristic Cabin That Sometimes Gets in Its Own Way

Step inside, and the Ariya immediately feels like Nissan’s designers finally got permission to ditch the old playbook. It’s like stepping into a high-end lounge rather than a traditional car interior - sleek, open, and distinctly modern. The difference is striking, and depending on your taste, either refreshing or slightly disorienting. The dashboard is clean and uncluttered, with touch-sensitive buttons integrated into the wood-like paneling. It’s futuristic, sure, but here’s the problem: touch-sensitive buttons are just worse than real buttons. They look cool but require more attention to use, which is not exactly what you want when driving. Nissan at least thought ahead and added haptic feedback, but it’s not enough to fully solve the problem.

Otherwise, the cabin is a solid win. The seats are comfortable, the materials feel high-quality, and there’s a ton of space - especially for rear passengers! Nissan opted for a flat floor, which makes the back seat feel even roomier, though taller passengers might notice the low seat height due to the battery placement. Storage is also solid, with a clever sliding center console that adjusts based on your needs.

Infotainment That Mostly Works

The Ariya’s tech package is largely what you’d expect from a 2024 EV. Dual 12.3-inch screens serve as both the instrument cluster and the main infotainment hub. It’s responsive, cleanly designed, and comes with built-in navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Nissan’s voice assistant is...fine, but you’ll probably just use Siri or Google Assistant instead. There’s also an available head-up display, which is a nice addition.

One issue: Nissan still relies on a slower infotainment processor than some competitors, meaning transitions and loading times can feel a little sluggish compared to a Tesla or even a Ford Mach-E. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s noticeable.

The Drive: Smooth, Comfortable, and Not That Sporty

To reiterate, this is not a performance SUV. The Ariya isn’t trying to be the quickest EV on the block, and that’s fine. The front-wheel-drive version makes 238 horsepower, which is enough for city driving but won’t throw you back in your seat. If you want something punchier, the all-wheel-drive e-4ORCE model bumps that up to 389 horsepower, cutting the 0-60 time down to about five seconds. But even then, it’s more about stability and comfort than outright speed.

Nissan has tuned the suspension for a smooth, relaxed ride. That makes it great for road trips and daily commuting, but if you’re looking for sharp handling and instant responsiveness, you might be disappointed. There’s some noticeable body roll in corners, and the steering is on the lighter side. Again, not a dealbreaker. Just something to keep in mind depending on what kind of driving experience you want.

Range and Charging: Good, But Not Best-in-Class

Range depends on which battery you get. The smaller 63 kWh battery gives you around 216 miles, while the larger 87 kWh option pushes that up to 304 miles in the front-wheel-drive version. That’s solid but falls short of Tesla’s Model Y Long Range (330 miles) and even the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (up to 303 miles).

Charging speeds are decent but not groundbreaking. The Ariya supports DC fast charging up to 130 kW, meaning you can get from 10% to 80% in about 40 minutes under ideal conditions. But that’s behind the 350 kW charging capabilities of Hyundai and Kia’s latest EVs, which can do the same in around 18 minutes. And at home, the onboard 7.2 kW charger means overnight charging is your best bet.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist 2.0 is available on higher trims, offering hands-free driving capability on mapped highways. It competes with systems like Tesla’s Autopilot and Ford’s BlueCruise, providing a smooth and predictable experience, but lacking the more advanced autonomous features found in Tesla’s system. While it doesn’t match the hands-free range of BlueCruise, it’s still a step above basic lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control. Standard safety features include automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, making it a well-rounded package for driver assistance.

The Verdict: Who Is the Ariya For?

The Ariya isn’t the most exciting EV, but it might be one of the most comfortable. It’s not as fast as a Model Y, as quick-charging as an Ioniq 5, or as tech-packed as a Mach-E. But it delivers a quiet, smooth ride with plenty of space, solid range, and a design that stands out without going overboard.

If you’re looking for an electric SUV that prioritizes comfort, practicality, and ease of use over outright performance, the Ariya is worth considering. Just don’t expect it to redefine the segment—it’s here to play it safe, and that’s exactly what it does.