2026 Nissan Ariya Review, Fuel Economy, Features
2026 Nissan Ariya Review, Fuel Economy, Features – Nissan has a well-established reputation for producing outstanding family SUVs, and the success of the Nissan Leaf all-electric family hatchback, which launched in 2010 and is now in its second generation, exemplifies the Japanese company’s focus on battery technology.
Every model in Nissan’s passenger car portfolio currently includes some kind of electrification: the smaller Nissan Juke crossover is available in both mild and full hybrid variants, while Nissan’s revolutionary e-Power petrol/electric engine powers the Nissan Qashqai and Nissan X-Trail.
The Ariya is equivalent in size to the X-Trail and offers family car functionality with zero exhaust emissions thanks to all-electric technology. It also has a significant improvement in quality over prior Nissan models in the lineup, to the point where we selected the Ariya our Car of the Year for 2026. 2026 Nissan Ariya Review
2026 Nissan Ariya Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
At first glance, the all-electric Nissan Ariya has a lot of curb appeal. Buyers should alter their expectations for a Nissan family SUV, since we feel it exceeds everything else in the Japanese manufacturer’s current portfolio.
The Ariya features a distinctive exterior design (which is especially effective in Akatsuki Copper), but buyers will be most excited about the inside. The perceived quality is superb, much exceeding that of any Volkswagen ID-badged competitor. The wood-effect trim matches the high-quality upholstery, and the ambient lighting, which is inspired by traditional Japanese lanterns, is a nice touch.
Instead of traditional dials, Nissan has used a series of haptic controls incorporated in the dash below the 12.3-inch infotainment screen to operate the heating and ventilation systems. They work really well and suit the sophisticated home design aesthetic.
The entry-level Engage model comes well-equipped, but the mid-range Advance variant has niceties like wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera system, an electric tailgate, heated front seats and steering wheel, and a heated windscreen. You may also add a few option packs, such as an openable panoramic sunroof as part of the’sky pack’ or the ‘Tech Pack,’ which includes a 10-speaker Bose sound system, head-up display, and digital rear-view mirror.
Buyers should not be fooled by the Nissan Ariya’s sleek, futuristic design, as this all-electric family vehicle offers plenty of day-to-day use. Automatic headlights and wipers, a power tailgate, and Intelligent Cruise Control are standard features, while dual-zone climate control, rear privacy glass, and a rear armrest are optional. Those riding in the back will also benefit from two USB ports, one of which is the faster USB-C version.
The Evolve model’s standard movable center console is a helpful feature that allows you to emphasize front-seat space while still offering easy access to the twin-glove box storage arrangement in the lower region of the dash. 2026 Nissan Ariya Review
2026 Nissan Ariya Specs
Engine & Performance
Despite being a large and heavy electric SUV, the Nissan Ariya is designed to give a surprisingly comfortable ride. It finds a balance between having faster handling than many of its close competitors and maintaining the comfortable ride expected of a family SUV. The battery pack for the Ariya is situated beneath the center of the vehicle, resulting in a low center of gravity and virtually equal weight distribution. This means that the Ariya appears more agile than expected, and the light yet precise steering adds to that impression.
The Ariya’s suspension may be too harsh for some, but it is more than adequate of dealing with the typical flaws of UK roads. The stiffer setting reduces body roll and increases traction, allowing you to easily navigate B-road corners. The Ariya is less fun to drive than the more powerful Kia EV6, but it is more comfortable and stylish.
Driving in and around town is uncomplicated, thanks mostly to the accelerator’s outstanding reaction to inputs, and the Ariya can simply switch between its brake regeneration system and traditional braking. There is no jerkiness or harsh jolts when you brake, which is really useful while driving in heavy traffic. When you switch to Sport mode, the throttle response becomes much sharper.
The entry-level 63kWh model develops 214bhp and 300Nm of torque from a single electric motor driving the front wheels, allowing it to go from 0 to 62 mph in 7.5 seconds. Upgrading to the 87kWh battery provides a more powerful 239bhp electric motor, which helps to mitigate the disadvantages of a larger capacity battery pack. However, acceleration is severely limited, since it takes 7.6 seconds to get from 0 to 62 mph.
If you’re ready to pay more than £50,000 for a family car, consider the 302bhp all-wheel drive Ariya e-4ORCE. The top-of-the-line Ariya generates 600Nm of torque and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds, reaching a peak speed of 124mph. If that isn’t enough, the e-4ORCE Evolve+ boosts power to 389bhp and reduces the 0-62mph sprint time to 5.1 seconds. 2026 Nissan Ariya Review
2026 Nissan Ariya Fuel Economy
The entry-level Nissan Ariya 63kWh Advance variant has a stated range of 250 miles. Upgrading to the 87kWh version with the same trim level extends the range to 329 miles, while Nissan claims the 302bhp dual-motor e-4ORCE variant can travel 319 miles. All of these range estimates are somewhat reduced if you upgrade to the Evolve standard, which adds additional equipment and weight to the car.
A high-efficiency heat pump is incorporated as standard. This helps to increase the vehicle’s range by efficiently heating the interior in cold weather. It’s useful for longer trips throughout the winter and is on the same list as competitors like the Skoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.4.
The Ariya’s charging capability of up to 130kW should allow for an 80 percent charge of each battery size in around 30 minutes. We’d like to see somewhat more overall efficiency: during our tests, the Ariya 63kWh Advance achieved 3.7 miles per kW/h, although some EVs, such as the Genesis GV60 and Skoda Enyaq, can achieve more than four miles per kWh.
If you decide that the all-electric Ariya is the right family car for you, you’ll need to design a reliable home charging system. The regular model Ariyas’ 63kWh battery will take 10 hours to fully recharge from a 7.4kW home wallbox, while the larger 87kWh battery would take around 14 hours to charge.
2026 Nissan Ariya Safety Features
Euro NCAP’s independent safety experts awarded the Nissan Ariya the highest possible five-star rating in 2026. Nissan’s family EV received a rating of 86% for adult occupant protection, 89% for child occupant protection, and 93% for safety assistance systems.
The standard equipment includes the ProPilot suite of semi-autonomous safety technologies, which provides a variety of driving assistance functions to make driving safer and less stressful. You’ll get an adaptive cruise control system to help you keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. There’s also a Blind Spot Monitoring System that alerts you to vehicles approaching you when you change lanes, as well as a Lane Keep Assist System that helps you stay in your lane on the highway.
There’s also Traffic Sign Recognition, which informs you of the current speed limit, a Rear Cross Traffic Alert system, which warns you of vehicles crossing your path while reversing, and automatic emergency braking, which aims to avoid or mitigate low-speed collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles on the road.
Top-end models also have a ProPilot Park system. When you push a button, the Ariya takes over steering, acceleration, and braking to direct you to a parking spot. The Ariya has yet to appear in our Driver Power owner satisfaction survey. Nissan finished in 19th place out of 32 firms in our best manufacturer rankings.
Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.
