2022 Nissan Ariya Right size, right vehicle, right time, right price

By Thom Cannell
Senior Editor And Technology Desk Chief
Michigan Bureau
The Auto Chanel

Auto Central, March 26. 2021; Nissan’s first BEV (battery-electric vehicle) crossover will be “available this year” in the USA, contrary to rumors that it wouldn’t be certified for North America. Nissan has vast BEV knowledge-over due to over 5 billion miles of on-the-road data from Leaf—which remains available at dealerships.

Nissan plans both 2WD and AWD models for the 2-row, 5-passenger vehicle with the 2WD, plus the largest battery pack, having an approximate range of 300 miles-per-charge. Two batteries are planned, 65kWh and 90kWh, each adaptable to Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 charging. The AWD e-4ORCE will offer less range, but better performance, particularly in snow states. Power output varies from 160 kW to 290 kW and torque output is similar, 221 lb-ft.—443 lb-ft.

Having only see prototypes, here’s what the company has told us: While Ariya isn’t a true mid-sized platform (109.3” wheelbase, 182.9” length), its interior size is. Which is due to the flat floor delivered by the skateboard platform. The interior is truly futuristic, or totally current depending on your viewpoint, as there are no buttons and knobs – controls remain hidden until touched, then with haptic feedback. Natural speech can be used to operate many controls, as well.

The cockpit uses massive color touch screens a 12.3-inch touch screen controlling everything but driving information, which is on another 12.3-inch driver information screen—plus there’s a color HUD.

Ariya will use Nissan’s Pro-Pilot 2.0 advanced driver assistance system, and it is standard. Pro-Pilot 2.0 permits hands-off single lane driving thanks to tech that watches to see you’re engaged. Plus, it uses e-Pedal, a single pedal for launch, accelerate and decelerate. Of course, it will have every safety acronym and around view monitoring, Alexa integration and wireless CarPlay/Android.

Exterior and interior design, which Nissan calls Timeless Japanese Futurism, seems to deliver on that promise. While there are no preorders—yet— for Ariya, its MSRP or around $40,000 USD (before any rebates) is spot on and a huge challenge to every other BEV maker.