The sight of Nissan’s hallowed Nismo badge on the again of an electrical SUV would possibly irk a number of conventional lovers, however the Ariya Nismo spearheads a brand new period for the motorsport-inspired efficiency model, and also you higher get used to it.
Not that the most well liked Ariya is designed to truly go on monitor. That is very a lot a go-faster model of the mid-size electrical SUV that lastly arrives in Australia subsequent month, and it brings exterior and inside upgrades to set it aside (a little bit) from the remainder of the vary, however don’t go anticipating Hyundai Ioniq 5 N ranges of capability or giggles.
Nissan first floated the thought of the Ariya Nismo again in January 2024 and solely now has it arrived in most markets, with Australia nonetheless to come back. Our first likelihood to drive it was on a closed take a look at monitor in France.
How a lot does the Nissan Ariya value?
Australian pricing – and certainly availability – for the Ariya Nismo has but to be confirmed. But when it’s launched Down Beneath it will sit atop a mannequin lineup that ranges between $55,840 and $71,840 earlier than on-road prices.
That will make it significantly pricier than the equally positioned Volkswagen ID.5 GTX ($72,990 plus on-roads), however less expensive than the extra particular Hyundai Ioniq 5 N ($110,383 plus on-roads).
To see how the Nissan Ariya strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s the Nissan Ariya like on the within?
The structure and format of the Ariya’s cabin are unchanged, although there are many Nismo touches utilized to make it really feel a little bit extra particular – as incongruous as that may be in a family-sized electrical SUV.
A red-and-black color palette (okay, there’s gray as nicely) denotes the sporting pretensions right here and we do just like the suede-like materials on the sports activities seats and door panels.
There are Nismo badges and pink stitching, too, and the seats are actually snug – if not figure-hugging.
The steering wheel has a chunky leather-based wrap with a pink 12 o’clock marker. It feels good to carry, even when we would like a completely spherical design.
The anodised pink begin button is a pleasant contact, complemented by distinctive graphics for the digital devices.
It’s a disgrace Nissan didn’t substitute the low-rent drive selector of the usual Ariya with a Nismo-branded various, and the haptic-touch controls – some love ‘em, however many don’t – are additionally unchanged.
Nonetheless, there’s loads of house entrance and rear, with the design of the (movable) centre console making the entrance specifically really feel spacious and open, regardless of the moody color scheme.
As with all variations of the Ariya utilizing two electrical motors, the boot house is decreased a little bit (compared to front-wheel-drive variants).
Cargo quantity of simply over 400 litres is enough, however many equally sized electrical SUVs can accommodate over 500L of baggage so it’s not excellent.
| Dimensions | Nissan Ariya Nismo |
|---|---|
| Size | 4655mm |
| Width | 1850mm |
| Peak | 1660mm |
| Wheelbase | 2775mm |
| Cargo capability | 408L-1690L |
To see how the Nissan Ariya strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s below the bonnet?
The Ariya Nismo makes use of the identical ‘CMF-EV’ platform as a spread of different Nissan, Renault Dacia and Dongfeng EVs, with modest tweaks to the suspension, steering, brakes and powertrain.
| Specs | Nissan Ariya Nismo |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Twin-motor electrical |
| Battery | 87kWh lithium-ion |
| Energy | 320kW |
| Torque | 600Nm |
| Drive sort | All-wheel drive |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 5.0 seconds |
| Vitality consumption (claimed) | 24.5kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary– WLTP | 417km |
| Max AC cost fee | 22kW |
| Max DC cost fee | 130kW |
It additionally makes use of the identical ‘e-4ORCE’ dual-motor setup as discovered elsewhere within the Ariya vary, and the biggest battery out there within the mannequin, with an 87kWh usable capability.
For the Nismo variant, peak energy has been upped to a reasonably critical 320kW, whereas complete most torque is 600Nm. This allows a claimed 5.0 seconds for the benchmark 0-100km/h dash.
To see how the Nissan Ariya strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How does the Nissan Ariya drive?
For our take a look at, there have been no velocity limits to stick to, however the closed course was extra like a twisting public street than an precise racetrack. This allowed us to push the Ariya to its limits in security to determine its capability.
Which could clarify why we ended the drive with smoking brakes… Nissan dismissed this – and the dearth of an improve to the Ariya’s brakes – as not related to the “overwhelming majority” of patrons of such automobiles.
Nevertheless, the opposite chassis adjustments have been a little bit extra profitable, actually within the context of driving shortly. The spring charges have been elevated and the dampers upgraded, whereas the electrical energy steering has additionally been recalibrated. Simply as apparently, the AWD system now presents extra rear bias extra of the time.
The result’s a commendably tied-down SUV, regardless of its appreciable weight and measurement. It’s actually quick, accelerating with alacrity each time you set your foot all the best way down. And the physique management isn’t dangerous in any respect.
Stability at excessive velocity is outstanding, too. Nissan claims to have decreased elevate for the Nismo mannequin due to a brand new physique package, whereas additionally lowering drag, so maybe there was some motorsport engineering utilized.
There’s no adaptive damping or air suspension, although, so whereas the firmer elements are nice on a easy street, this automobile gained’t be as snug elsewhere.
Nissan matches particular 20-inch Enkei alloy wheels to the Nismo, too, lowering unspring weight whereas (making an attempt to) help brake cooling. They’re shod in Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres, which stood up nicely to our abuse on the monitor, although they arrive with a rolling resistance penalty that may have an effect on the automobile’s effectivity.
A Nismo driving mode replaces the Sport setting present in different Ariyas, ramping up the automobile’s responsiveness, but in addition – sadly – including an artificial soundtrack. We’d want to do with out the faux noises, however the automobile does reply keenly and may actually elevate a smile.
Sadly, it will probably’t maintain a candle to any earlier Nismo-badged automobile when it comes to driver interactivity and pleasure.
Certain, the rear motor may be used extra of the time than the one up entrance, however even should you attempt to illicit a little bit oversteer – on the exit of a decent hairpin, for instance – neutrality is essentially the most you may hope for, no matter whether or not the traction management is turned on or off.
And that’s the crux of the matter. Few patrons are ever going to push this automobile so onerous, and even think about messing with the energetic security techniques. Left nicely alone, it’s speedy, secure and straightforward to drive shortly.
To see how the Nissan Ariya strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What do you get?
Taking the top-ranking Ariya Evolve AWD as a place to begin, there’s little doubt the Nismo will likely be well-equipped. And there are many Nismo goodies to assist it stand out.
2025 Nissan Ariya Nismo gear highlights:
- 20-inch Enkei wheels
- Distinctive Nismo driving mode
- Nismo-branded sports activities seats
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Energy-sliding centre console
- Two 12.3-inch screens
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto
- Head-up show
- Bose sound system
- Warmth pump
To see how the Nissan Ariya strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
Is the Nissan Ariya secure?
The Ariya comes with a five-star security ranking from ANCAP, with notably robust scores within the Security Help division and powerful and safety for adults and youngsters.
| Class | Nissan Ariya |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 86 per cent |
| Baby occupant safety | 89 per cent |
| Susceptible street person safety | 74 per cent |
| Security help | 93 per cent |
Normal security gear consists of:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear computerized braking
- Driver alertness monitoring
- Rear cross site visitors alerting
- Visitors signal recognition
- Round-view monitor with transferring object detection
- Emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, bicycle owner detection
To see how the Nissan Ariya strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Nissan Ariya value to run?
The Nissan Ariya Nismo must be lined by the Japanese model’s customary five-year car, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, with as much as 10 years or 300,000km doable should you service the automobile at an authorised Nissan seller.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Nissan Ariya |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | As much as 10 years or 300,000km |
| Roadside help | 10 years |
| Service intervals | TBC |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Whole capped-price service value | TBC |
A separate eight-year/160,000km guarantee ought to cowl the battery pack.
Nissan quotes a WLTP vary of 417km for the 87kWh battery pack, however good luck reaching that whereas making any use if the Nismo’s appreciable efficiency…
To see how the Nissan Ariya strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Nissan Ariya Nismo
Automotive lovers that know the place the Nismo identify comes from gained’t be impressed with the Ariya Nismo, regardless of its undoubted efficiency and reasonably enhanced capability.
Trusted Critiques, Smarter Selections, Higher Costs
The place professional automobile evaluations meet professional automobile shopping for – CarExpert provides you trusted recommendation, personalised service and actual financial savings in your subsequent new automobile.
People who simply need a sporty wanting model of an in any other case wise electrical household SUV may be tempted, however the engineering that has gone into this automobile means it’s prone to be prohibitively costly for all however a number of patrons.
If Nissan may apply a number of the Nismo magic, with out essentially including the efficiency and chassis upgrades, whereas preserving pricing wise, we reckon the components can be extra profitable.
As it’s, we’re not completely satisfied.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new Nissan Ariya. Click on right here to get an ideal deal
Click on the pictures for the complete gallery
