2024 Nissan Ariya Review

The 2024 Nissan Ariya is an electric mid-size SUV starting at $39,590. It’s Nissan’s first new all-electric model since the Leaf and its primary entry into the electric crossover SUV segment. The Leaf was the first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV), but the Ariya is more competitive with its contemporary shape, expansive list of advanced driver-assistance features, and accessible starting price.

MotoPickers Rating: 7.8/10

Nissan’s 2024 Ariya also offers a quality driving range, comfortable and secure handling, and an interior reflecting the exterior’s modern sensibilities. However, we’ll be exploring its drawbacks and whether they are enough to warrant a closer look at competitors. Highlighted downsides relate to performance dynamism, charging, infotainment tech, and storage.

The 2024 Ariya’s electric mid-size SUV rivals include Volkswagen’s ID.4, Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, Kia’s EV6, and Tesla’s Model Y. Chevrolet’s Blazer could be considered a competitor, but its disastrous launch for the 2024 year, which was primarily plagued by technical problems, means you’re better off waiting for the 2025 model.

Nissan hasn’t made any significant changes to the 2024 Ariya from the model’s 2023 version, but lowered prices across the lineup, with the entry-level version starting at around $3,500 less.

Check out the rest of our review to find out whether the 2024 Ariya aligns with your driving needs and preferences.

Exterior spotlight

The 2024 Nissan Ariya’s exterior contains highly unique curves, wheel options that reflect a forward-thinking design like Kia’s EV6, and a front fascia striking a tasteful balance between bold and conservative aesthetics. For example, the front grille contains black with metal-looking accents but spices things up with its 3D appearance. Exterior elements that may divide drivers include flared wheel arches with contrasting trim and the hood lines that stand out with their atypical placement.

Wheel sizes for this Nissan range from 19” to 20”. The front fascia contains an illuminated badge that helps this model establish its electric driving feel, while thin mini-LED projector headlamps with blade lights appear refined. LED fog lights are optional within higher trims, and you can activate standard perimeter lights with the NissanConnect Services app or the key fob.

Exterior color contrasts with the black roof solidify the 2024 Ariya’s unique presence. The complete list of exterior colors includes:

• Black Diamond Pearl
• Gun Metallic
• Boulder Gray Pearl
• Everest White Pearl TriCoat
• Northern Lights Metallic
• Two-tone Deep Ocean Blue Pearl/Black Diamond Pearl
• Two-tone Boulder Gray Pearl/Black Diamond Pearl
• Two-tone Everest White Pearl TriCoat/Black Diamond Pearl

Side mirrors are power-operated and accompany features like roof bars, illuminated kick (sill) plates that light open when the doors open, and 19” gloss-black aluminum wheels.

The competing 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 shares Ariya’s futuristic design philosophy with features like a front horizontal light bar connecting the headlights but dials things back with its decision to negate a traditional front grille. This Volkswagen’s lines are also less dramatic, which may feel unexciting to some.

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E features an exterior balancing Ariya and ID.4 sensibilities with its streamlined EV look including more conventional aesthetic touches like a textured faux front grille.

Interior close-up

Nissan’s 2024 Ariya has a five-passenger capacity across two rows. The cabin feels refreshing, with elements like a wide, floating power-sliding center console. Separate interior features emphasizing form and function include the steering wheel’s bottom stripe, which more readily helps you determine your tires’ direction. Sports cars like BMW’s 2025 M3 and M4 share this steering wheel stripe.

Overall, the 2024 Ariya’s interior is a departure from traditional Nissan design, which works in this case. Nissan’s signature Zero Gravity front seats are present, which reduce road fatigue with a configuration optimizing the seats’ pressure distribution and support structure. Front seats also offer available heating and ventilation, with rear outboard seats containing optional heating. The 2024 Ariya’s interior memory system stores seat, leather steering wheel and side-mirror position settings.

Cabin upholstery colors include:

• Charcoal cloth
• Charcoal Leatherette
• Light Gray leatherette
• Blue Gray Nappa leather

Drivers and passengers can access the rear cargo area by kicking their feet under the bumper using the available motion-activated liftgate. Rear cargo space is moderate-to-good, with 22.8 cubic feet (cu. ft.) or 59.7 cu. ft. when you fold down the second row, which operates via a 60/40 configuration. Those looking to increase cargo organization to make the most of the middling 22.8 cu. ft. storage area can select the optional Divide-N-Hide cargo system.

One downside of the 2024 Ariya’s interior is its strong inclination toward touch-activated controls instead of physical controls or a balance between the two—possibly presenting a learning curve. There’s also limited storage for smaller items, despite its power center storage area, which can act as a tray table for devices like laptops. The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Tesla Model Y all have more rear cargo space behind their second row, with the ID.4 taking first place.

Power and performance

The 2024 Ariya offers standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and available all-wheel drive (AWD). Its electric range spans 204-304 miles via tech like a liquid-cooled thermal management system providing improved performance in hot and cold temperatures. However, DC-fast charging for this model lags behind competitors, with 63 kWh models going from 10% to 80% battery in 35 minutes and 87 kWh battery grades taking 40 minutes. Level 2 charging will take a 63 kWh Ariya battery from 10% to 100% in 10.5 hours or 14 hours with an 87 kWh battery.

Drive modes include Sport, Eco, and Snow, but don’t expect too much excitement, with horsepower ranging from 314 to 389 and torque spanning 221 lb.-ft. to 442 lb.-ft. This Nissan’s 0-60 MPH times register between 4.8 and 7.5 seconds, but its handling feels comfortable. The 2024 Ariya doesn’t offer a high-performance variant like Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N, which produces 601 horsepower and 545 lb.-ft. of torque.

Besides a lack of excitement behind the wheel and slower DC fast-charging rates, the 2024 Ariya has a low towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. and no one-pedal feature allowing drivers to accelerate and brake with just the accelerator pedal. The front suspension contains an independent strut with coil springs over shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar, while the rear suspension includes an independent multi-link with coil springs over shock absorbers configuration and a stabilizer bar.

EV drivers or prospective EV owners with particularly bad range anxiety will find more maximum mileage per charge in Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, Kia’s EV6, and Tesla’s Model Y. The Model Y offers the highest maximum range at 330 miles. Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N has the most horsepower of the 2024 Ariya’s competitors, but Kia’s EV6 also boasts plenty of maximum horsepower at 576.

Tech overview

At first glance, the 2024 Ariya’s tech presentation contains a streamlined look where everything fits well, unlike some SUVs that make poor design choices, like directly and awkwardly flanking their central infotainment display with air vents. Part of this streamlined appearance stems from the presence of features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Still, wireless smartphone charging is standard in higher trims.

Additional tech features are a digital driver display with customizable gauges, Siri voice control from Apple, and available SiriusXM connectivity, which provides real-time updates on factors like traffic and weather. The number of speakers is somewhat lacking at 6-10, depending on the trim level, but the audio system does come with speed-sensitive volume adjustment. In addition to Siri, there’s Alexa support, and navigation is compatible with voice commands.

Tech wrap-up: primary critique and optional features

The 2024 Ariya contains dual connected 12.3” displays that prove an ideal fit for its interior design scheme. However, the displays’ graphics could use some revamping for future iterations. Rain-detecting wipers are optional, along with the Wi-Fi hotspot and auto-dimming rearview mirror that reduces glare from other cars’ headlights when necessary. Wireless over-the-air software updates keep tech up to date, and haptic feedback on touch controls slightly compensates for the lack of physical interior controls.

If you’re seeking more physical buttons than the 2024 Ariya’s cabin, you’ll have to look beyond rivals such as Tesla’s Model Y, Volkswagen’s ID.4, and Ford’s Mustang Mach-E. Tesla’s Model Y impresses with its number of speakers at 13 but doesn’t offer the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility that drivers have come to expect.

Regarding displays, some might find that Ford’s Mustang Mach-E and Tesla’s Model Y contain learning curves with their central touchscreens’ vertical configuration. Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 shares the use of a dual 12.3” display setup, while Ford’s Mustang Mach-E has the largest infotainment touchscreen at 15.5”.

Safety capabilities

This all-electric Nissan has earned strong safety ratings from organizations evaluating passenger crash protection capabilities, such as the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). The NHTSA awarded the 2024 Ariya its highest rating of five stars, while the IIHS gave its second-highest grade of Top Safety Pick, behind Top Safety Pick+.

Safety features within the 2024 Ariya include:

• Auto high beam headlights
• Traffic sign information
• Blind-spot warning
• Active lane keep assist
• Hands-off cruise control with lane change
• Cruise control automatic curve slowdown
• Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
• Driver attention alert
• Front/rear parking sensors
• Rearview camera

Auto high beam headlights switch on and off without manual driver input to accommodate other vehicles on the road and reduce driving fatigue behind the wheel at night. Traffic sign information keeps you informed of vital information like posted speed limits, and blind-spot warning provides audible and visual notifications of hazards—but no automatic assistive steering. Still, active lane keep assist and lane centering features use automatic steering to help you remain within your lane’s markings.

Freeway cruise control support extends the 2024 Ariya’s self-driving capabilities with automatic lane changes you initiate via turn signal. Once you’re in the correct lane, you can drive for extended periods without steering input if you remain attentive to the road. Features within this SUV, like driver attention alert, are designed to monitor for and alert you of hazards like distracted or drowsy driving.

Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go facilitates automatic braking and acceleration to help you maintain a preset speed and safe distance from a vehicle you’re following at higher and lower speeds. Systems like front/rear parking sensors and a rearview camera round out the safety inventory. Available features consist of a 360-degree surround-view camera, a smart rearview mirror with a wider perspective using a rear camera, and a dash cam.

Trim guide and owner considerations

Below is a list of the 2024 Ariya’s trims, their starting prices, and some distinguishing features for each grade.

Engage FWD/Engage AWD – $39,590/$43,590

The entry-level 2024 Ariya offers 216 miles of range for its FWD version (205 miles for AWD), leatherette seats, and tech like a head-up display digitally projecting information like navigation onto your windshield for easier viewing.

Venture+ FWD – $41,190

Opting for the Venture+ gives you the maximum range of 304 miles and an extensive inventory of driver-assist safety features through Nissan Safety Shield and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link (navigation).

Engage+ AWD – $45,190

An Engage+ grade increases the base model’s range to 272 miles.

Evolve+ FWD/AWD – $44,190/$48,190

The Evolve+ trim offers a solid range of 289 miles for its FWD version (272 miles for AWD), a panoramic moonroof, and surround-view cameras.

Empower+ FWD – $47,690

Besides being limited to FWD, the Empower differs from the Evolve+ with its more capable navigation that’s reported as not nagging drivers as frequently to take control.

Platinum+ AWD – $54,190

The peak Platinum+ grade has the upgraded 10-speaker Bose audio system, 267 miles of range, and an option for 20” wheels.

Final verdict

Nissan’s Ariya definitely has enough strengths to overcome its weaknesses. These upsides include a well-designed interior, an extensive selection of driver-assist features, and a dynamic exterior that stands out from the competition. Drawbacks relate to its power, which isn’t bad by any means, and its range, which we hope to see increase in future versions. Overall, this all-electric SUV is good for a 7.8/10 rating.