NISSAN UNVEILS ALL-ELECTRIC 2021 ARIYA SUV, FIXES EVERYTHING WRONG WITH THE LEAF

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Nissan has unveiled the 2021 Ariya, an all-electric SUV that appears to address many shortcomings of the previous LEAF. The Ariya introduces liquid-cooled battery packs, a significant upgrade from the LEAF's passive air cooling, promising better thermal management and charging performance. It offers two battery sizes (63 kWh and 87 kWh usable) and two drivetrain options: front-wheel drive and an all-wheel-drive 'e-4ORCE' system. The range estimates vary by market and trim, with the FWD, long-range variant targeting up to 300 miles (EPA) or 310 miles (WLTP). Performance figures are competitive, with the range-topping Performance trim achieving 0-62 mph in 5.1 seconds. Interior highlights include a minimalist design, a flat floor, and advanced tech like dual 12.3-inch screens and ProPilot 2.0. However, the North American onboard charging rate is limited to 7.5 kW, while Europe gets 22 kW. Pricing is expected to start around $40,000 in the US, making it a compelling, albeit premium, alternative to the LEAF, which the Ariya's advancements may render a less attractive option.