Nissan Ariya (2025)

Christian Wardlaw from Edmunds highlights the 2025 Nissan Ariya as a competent but ultimately uninspiring electric SUV. While the Ariya offers a comfortable, quiet ride with a modern interior and solid driving range, it struggles to stand out amid strong competition. The dual-motor setup delivers adequate acceleration for daily driving but lacks sporty excitement, and handling feels somewhat soft and less stable under aggressive maneuvers. The tech suite, though featuring dual 12.3-inch screens and wireless Apple CarPlay, is hampered by outdated software and unintuitive controls. Practical aspects like cargo space and storage are modest, and towing capacity is notably weak compared to rivals. Charging speed is slower than many competitors, and some convenience features, such as one-pedal driving and physical climate controls, are missing or inconveniently implemented. Overall, the Ariya feels underdeveloped and somewhat dull, offering decent value only at base trims but failing to deliver a compelling reason to choose it over more engaging alternatives.

Matt Degen from Kelley Blue Book highlights the 2025 Nissan Ariya as a stylish and technologically impressive all-electric SUV that offers good range and competitive pricing starting at $41,160. Praising its sleek, futuristic design and comfortable, supportive seats, Degen emphasizes the Ariya’s ease of driving, especially with features like the e-Step regenerative braking and ProPilot Assist 2.0 partial self-driving system. The cabin is noted as Nissan’s best-looking yet, blending minimalist elegance with practical touches like physical volume controls and ample storage. While the Ariya delivers solid performance, especially in its popular dual-motor e-4ORCE variants, it falls short on charging speed compared to rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Space and cargo capacity are adequate but not class-leading. Safety ratings are excellent, with top marks from IIHS and NHTSA. Overall, Degen presents the Ariya as a compelling, well-rounded electric SUV with a few trade-offs, particularly in charging convenience.

Dan Jones from What Car? highlights the 2025 Nissan Ariya as a practical and well-equipped electric SUV that offers a competitive range, especially in its 87kWh Advance trim. The review balances praise for its stylish, upmarket interior and spacious cabin with critiques of its driving dynamics, noting that it is not as engaging or refined as some rivals. While the Ariya is easy to drive smoothly and provides a good range, it suffers from a noisier cabin at motorway speeds, an unsettled ride—particularly in the sporty Nismo version—and slower charging capabilities compared to competitors. The infotainment system, though functional, feels dated and less user-friendly than those in newer rivals. Safety features are comprehensive, and the vehicle scored well in crash tests, but some competitors offer better occupant protection. Overall, the Ariya stands out for comfort, equipment, and value in lower trims, but it falls short in driving excitement and fast-charging performance.

Billy Rehbock from MotorTrend highlights the 2025 Nissan Ariya as a stylish and comfortable electric SUV with a well-crafted interior and thoughtful features like wireless charging and Nissan’s ProPilot Assist. The Ariya offers competitive safety ratings and a spacious cabin, making it a decent value in the electric crossover segment. However, the review tempers enthusiasm with notable criticisms: the ride quality is soft but accompanied by excessive body motion, handling is mediocre, and driver engagement suffers due to intrusive assistance systems. Performance and range lag behind rivals, especially in front-wheel-drive models, and charging speeds are relatively slow. The absence of one-pedal driving and the awkward E-Step brake feel detract from the EV experience. While the upcoming switch to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and potential future updates may improve its appeal, the Ariya currently falls short of segment leaders, prompting a cautious recommendation to consider competitors before purchasing.

Kristin Shaw from Car and Driver highlights the 2025 Nissan Ariya as a stylish and well-appointed compact electric SUV that offers a comfortable, calm ride and a sophisticated, futuristic interior. The cabin stands out with high-quality materials, dual 12.3-inch screens, and thoughtful features like a modular cargo system and zero-gravity front seats. While the Ariya delivers solid driving range—especially with the larger battery packs—and competitive pricing below some luxury rivals, its performance and driving dynamics are described as capable but uninspiring, lacking the excitement that enthusiasts might seek. The base model’s limited range and modest acceleration contrast with the more powerful AWD trims, which still only offer mid-pack performance. Advanced driver-assistance features and a comprehensive warranty add value, but the Ariya faces stiff competition from rivals with longer range or sportier driving experiences. Overall, the Ariya is a handsome, comfortable EV SUV that appeals to buyers prioritizing style and refinement over thrills.

Auto Express highlights the 2025 Nissan Ariya as a refined and capable electric family SUV that impresses with its premium interior quality and comfortable ride. Praised for its spacious cabin, thoughtful design touches, and availability of four-wheel drive, the Ariya stands out as an upmarket option in a competitive segment. However, the review tempers enthusiasm with critiques of its real-world efficiency, which lags behind rivals despite a healthy battery capacity, and an average-sized boot that limits practicality somewhat. The sportier Nismo variant, while offering more power, is seen as underwhelming and not worth the premium. Long-term testing reveals a dated infotainment system and highlights the Ariya’s strengths in comfort and refinement rather than outright driving excitement. Overall, Auto Express positions the Ariya as a solid, well-rounded choice for families switching to electric motoring, balancing quality and usability with some compromises in efficiency and cargo space.

Top Gear Team highlights the Nissan Ariya (2025) as a well-equipped electric SUV with a lovely, soothing interior that stands out for its unique glowing wood veneer switchgear and advanced safety tech. While the design is sleek and futuristic, it may not appeal to everyone due to some ungainly angles and polarizing styling. The Ariya offers a decent driving experience and competitive range across multiple trims, including a powerful but arguably overhyped Nismo variant that sacrifices ride quality and efficiency for extra performance. Positioned among strong rivals like the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6, the Ariya’s strengths lie in its comfortable cabin and practical features rather than groundbreaking innovation. Ultimately, the review conveys a measured enthusiasm: the Ariya is a solid, family-friendly electric crossover worth considering if its design and interior appeal to you, but the Nismo trim is viewed as an unnecessary indulgence.

Alanis King from InsideEVs highlights the Nissan Ariya as a significant and promising step forward for Nissan’s electric vehicle lineup, marking the company’s first all-new EV since the Leaf. King praises the Ariya’s refined driving experience, noting its smooth acceleration and peaceful high-speed ride, as well as the luxurious, boutique-hotel-like interior with elegant design details. The review emphasizes the Ariya’s advanced features, including multiple motor options and hands-off driving capabilities via ProPilot Assist 2.0, though some features remain untested due to geographic limitations. Despite these strengths, King expresses concern that the Ariya’s starting price around $40,000 may limit its appeal in a crowded and competitive EV market, potentially hindering its ability to achieve widespread success. Overall, the review conveys cautious optimism, appreciating the Ariya’s qualities while acknowledging market challenges and hoping it gains the recognition it deserves.

John Velasco from Tom’s Guide highlights the 2025 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ AWD as a compelling electric crossover that balances luxury, performance, and practicality. He appreciates its spacious and thoughtfully designed interior, noting unique features like an adjustable front armrest and a bright, large head-up display. The Ariya’s powertrain delivers solid highway performance comparable to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, though its efficiency of 2.7 mi/kWh falls short of the reviewer’s ideal 3 mi/kWh target, possibly due to winter conditions. Charging speed with Level 1 is notably slow, making a Level 2 charger advisable. Velasco praises the intuitive auto park assist and sleek exterior styling, which he prefers over rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Toyota bZ4X. However, he criticizes the low-quality backup camera and underwhelming Bose audio system. Overall, he sees the Ariya Platinum+ AWD as a near-perfect family EV crossover offering strong value against pricier luxury competitors.