2023 NISSAN ARIYA

EV Channels Review

Consumer Reports provides a comprehensive first look at the 2023 Nissan Ariya, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. The vehicle is praised for its competitive ride and handling, offering a lighter, more agile feel compared to rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4. The interior is noted for comfortable front seats with good bolstering and grippy materials, as well as decent rear headroom and toe space. However, the review points out significant drawbacks. The charging capabilities are considered subpar, with a slower onboard charger and lower maximum DC fast charging acceptance rate than competitors. The reviewer also criticizes the controls, particularly the capacitive touch climate controls which require navigating the touchscreen for functions like heated seats, and the dim backlighting at night. The unique motorized center console is deemed gimmicky. While the Ariya offers a wide array of trims and choices, including dual battery options, its higher price point compared to rivals is questioned, as it doesn't introduce groundbreaking features. The lack of a true one-pedal driving mode and the peculiar brake pedal behavior are also noted as negatives. Overall, the Ariya is seen as a pleasant, competitive SUV but falls short of truly standing out in the increasingly crowded EV market, with some aspects feeling less future-proof.