Nissan Unveils The Ariya, An Electric Crossover SUV

Nissan has introduced the all-new Nissan Ariya, an electric crossover SUV that's due on sale in the second half of 2021. The vehicle is the production version of the Ariya concept shown at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, and it's confirmed to arrive with a starting price of around $40,000.At this price range, the Tesla Model Y is an obvious target, but by the time it arrives, the Ariya will also be up against the yet-to-be-revealed Volkswagen ID 4 and the Ford Mustang Mach-E.The Ariya is part of a major product renewal at Nissan as the automaker seeks to turn around its losses. There are multiple new or updated models in the pipeline including redesigned versions of the Frontier pickup truck and Z sports car.The design of the Ariya looks downright futuristic, slim LED lights and a new Nissan badge that lights up to welcome you to the car gives the Ariya a stunning look, while its sloping rear roofline means this Nissan looks almost like a coupe-styled SUV.Inside follows suit with the outside of the Ariya, there are very few buttons on the center console or dashboard. Instead, there are touch-sensitive areas for the climate controls along with the dashboard, and these vibrate slightly when you press them.The cabin is also loaded with tech. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster faces the driver and is joined by a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a color head-up display. The Ariya also features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.Just like in Tesla models, the Ariya can receive upgrades wirelessly too, so new infotainment features or upgrades can be supplied to cars without the need to visit a dealer. There’s also a virtual assistant which can recognize natural speech, much like Amazon’s Alexa, and can be activated by saying ‘Hey Nissan’.To maximize interior space, there’s also no center console. Contoured seats give rear passengers and a clear view of the front, also conveying a sense of space. The design moves AC and heating functions under the hood. There’s no frunk.The Ariya will also come with several electronic driver-assist features, including handy items like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning. The Ariya will also offer e-Pedal, Nissan’s aggressive one-pedal driving system. It will utilize the brand’s next-generation ProPILOT Assist 2.0 advanced driver assistance system, equipped with driver monitoring to enable hands-off single-lane highway operation.The Ariya rides on Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance's CMF-EV platform for electric cars and features Nissan's new e-4ORCE dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. The system, which works by managing the power delivery and braking individual wheels, is designed to enable a vehicle to follow its driver's intended line on a variety of surfaces, including ice and snow, without the driver having to change his or her driving style or input.The Ariya will be available in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations. Two different battery sizes will be offered: 63kWh and 87kWh. Given the Ariya’s relatively small size — a C segment vehicle a little shorter than a Nissan Rogue — the bigger battery version stands a chance of hitting the 300-mile (482 km) mark.In the Ariya, a single motor at the front axle delivering 214 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque will be the standard option while performance fans will be able to opt for the e-4ORCE setup featuring an electric motor at each axle and a combined output of 389 hp and 600 Nm.Can the Nissan Ariya put it's carmaker back into the path of success and replicate the response generated by the Leaf? That remains to be seen.