Gallery
Pros
Cons
The 2025 Nissan Ariya looks exactly like the one from last year — mostly because it is.
It drives like the old one, too, plus it has the same all-electric range and can reach identical charging speeds. Yet there’s one exceptionally important new feature this year that has the potential to make this electric vehicle (EV) more competitive than ever. And it fits in the palm of your hand.
User-Friendliness 6 / 10
Rather than dangle the carrot, let’s cut to the chase. That groundbreaking new item is the optional Tesla-style charging adapter that, for $310, unlocks access to the newest stations in that automaker’s vast network. Better still, it’s a retrofit item that works with every Ariya ever sold in Canada.
Not only does the affordable adapter mean the number of compatible chargers has grown — although not as much as it’s been hyped, at least not yet — but it adds a simple plug-and-charge method that negates the need for myriad accounts, with sessions simply billed to a saved credit card in the MyNissan app instead.
That’s about where the praise for the Ariya’s interfaces ends, however, with frustrating haptic controls and a sputtering infotainment system plaguing the overall user experience. The former is a result of finicky touch sensors hidden beneath wood trim on the dashboard and centre console, while the latter is the fault of the 12.3-inch touchscreen that’s prone to slow input response.
Features 9 / 10
The standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity don’t suffer the same issues, although the companion wireless charger isn’t cooled, meaning devices will likely generate quite a bit of heat when left inside, as was the case during this test. (USB-A and USB-C ports are located low on the front of the console, plus there are two more of the latter at the back.)
Other items vary depending on trim, although heated front and rear seats are standard across the lineup, as is a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and proximity door locks. Meanwhile, pricier versions — including the range-topping Evolve+ trim tested here and its optional Premiere package ($4,200) — add extras like a 10-speaker stereo, ventilated front seats, and blue leather and suede upholstery spread across the seats, dash, and doors.
Value 6 / 10
Of course, all that stuff pushes the price tag ever higher, with this one ringing in at a whopping $69,318 before tax (but including a non-negotiable freight charge of $2,170). It’s enough to classify the Ariya an expensive entry — especially with government incentives across the country being suspended or shut down entirely.
Of course, there are cheaper trims to choose from, including the entry-level Engage that’s $52,168 before available incentives and taxes. The Evolve uses the same 63-kWh battery as the base trim but adds all-wheel drive for $7,000 more. Moving to the Evolve+ nets a bigger 87-kWh battery and rings in at $62,168 with front-wheel drive and $64,168 with all-wheel drive, while Platinum+ ($3,000) and Premiere ($4,200) packages can be added to the latter.
Looking at the competitive landscape, the Tesla Model Y starts at $87,490, while the Chevrolet Equinox EV is priced between $47,599 and $56,099 before options. Then there’s the Honda Prologue that shares a platform and powertrain with that Chevy for $61,990 to $71,990, while the Volkswagen ID.4 goes for anywhere from $50,695 to $62,695. (All prices include freight.)
Fuel Economy 8 / 10
Opting for the smaller battery means range suffers as a result, with a modest 348 km on a full charge with front-wheel drive and just 330 km with four-wheel traction. The 87-kWh pack pushes the estimated distance the Ariya can travel to a maximum of 465 km, although that’s for a front-wheel-drive example; adding a second motor means a maximum of 438 km on a full charge, while this tester and its 20-inch wheels is rated for 414 km.
But then the Ariya has a habit of outperforming expectations, with this week-long test finishing with an indicated consumption of 19.0 kWh/100 km — far better than the combined 24.1 it’s rated for, according to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). That means an effective range of 458 km on a full charge, which is close enough to the likes of a similarly equipped Tesla Model Y (501 km) to make this EV more appealing.
No matter the trim, DC fast-charging speeds can reach a maximum of 130 kW, which can boost the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 35 to 40 minutes, depending on size. The same benchmark measure is supposed to take 90 minutes at a 50-kW station (65 minutes for the small battery), while the 7.2-kW onboard charger means a 240-volt Level 2 hookup needs 14 hours for a full charge (10.5 for the small battery).
Power 9 / 10
In spite of its dual motors and impressive output, the all-wheel-drive Ariya never feels especially excited to accelerate with enthusiasm — a refreshing approach to electrification that’s more in line with the mission of efficient motoring. Make no mistake: the Ariya can take off with a swiftness a gas-powered crossover this size simply can’t; but rather than urgent it feels measured in its approach, with this particular trim’s 442 lb-ft of torque making it move smoothly.
Driving Feel 8 / 10
Much like its source of motive force, the Ariya’s drive experience isn’t one brimming with frenzy and thrills. Instead, it’s appropriately placid, with sedate mannerisms that go so far as feeling relaxed. Drivability is probably among this EV’s strengths, with a sense from behind the wheel that’s pretty close to conventional while also feeling different enough to reflect its power source.
Among the drawbacks are the way the Ariya is brought to a halt. While it has regenerative braking like any other EV, with Nissan’s so-called e-Pedal Step setting — along with a B mode that can be engaged via the gear selector — increasing how much kinetic energy can be captured while slowing down, it’s not a true one-pedal setup and requires driver intervention at speeds slower than about 15 km/h.
Another braking-related oddity is the way the vehicle gently rocks forward and back after coming to a complete stop. It happens whether or not either regenerative setting is on — or the automatic brake system is engaged — with the Ariya moving ever so gently no matter how smoothly it’s brought to rest. It’s not exactly unnerving, but it’s certainly a strange sensation that’s unique to this Nissan.
Comfort 9 / 10
Ride quality is good, with enough give in the suspension to let it effortlessly soak up bumps and broken pavement in the city. While that also means the Ariya leans into corners with a bit more body roll than most EVs, the trade off is that it hides the weight and rigidity of its battery pack well, once again feeling more like a gas-powered crossover than an electric one.
Wrapped in leather courtesy of the Evolve+ trim’s optional Premiere package ($4,200), the front seats are comfortable and supportive, with just enough upper and lower bolstering to keep occupants secure. The cabin also remains reasonably quiet out on the open road, while the top trim’s 10-speaker stereo can easily drown out what little outside interference makes its way in.
Practicality 8 / 10
The Ariya’s cabin boasts one of the biggest benefits of being an EV: a flat load floor throughout that isn’t interrupted by a transmission tunnel. It makes this crossover feel more spacious than a conventional model this size, although the sloping shape of the roof cuts into cargo room. While there’s plenty of length between the threshold and the rear seatbacks, the tapered back end means transporting upright items will come with its set of challenges.
Safety: 9/10
While rearward visibility is compromised a bit, another downside to the Ariya’s shape, the big side windows and door mirrors help to make up for it. So, too, does the robust advanced safety and driver-assistance suite, with blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward and reverse automatic braking, lane departure warning and keeping assistance, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control included across the lineup.
Styling 9 / 10
There shouldn’t be any confusion when it comes to how the Ariya is powered based on its looks alone, although the recently redesigned Nissan Murano looks strikingly similar in spite of the gas engine under its hood. Even so, this EV is equal parts cool and quirky, and while it won’t be for everyone, it’s not for a lack of trying on the part of the designers that drew it up.
The Verdict
Since older iterations of Tesla’s Superchargers speak a different language than the rest, the number of new stations the 2025 Nissan Ariya can be hooked up to is far from ideal — at least at the time of this writing. That doesn’t mean the enhanced convenience that comes with the accessory adapter isn’t worth it, especially for the price, but more compatible chargers would be hugely beneficial.
Combined with the lag-prone infotainment system, the Ariya still has its share of frustrations. However, its smooth-driving ways and expectation-exceeding efficiency means this EV has enough going for it to make it an interesting option if nothing else.
