Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Nissan Ariya SUV - Range, charging & running costs

New trims have made the Nissan Ariya more affordable, but it’s the mid-spec models that offer the most range

Carbuyer Rating

4.2 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.0 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Range, charging & running costs Rating

4.0 out of 5

Nissan is first and foremost a mainstream brand, so the Ariya is somewhat of an outlier in terms of market positioning. However, a range shake-up in mid-2023 brought in a series of price cuts, as well as a more affordable ‘Engage’ trim level, which saw the SUV’s starting figure drop below £40,000 for the first time. That means it now undercuts the ever-popular Tesla Model Y, and puts it on par with key rivals like the Skoda Enyaq.

Advertisement - Article continues below

At launch, Nissan is offering the Ariya with a choice of two battery sizes: 63kWh and 87kWh – and this is still the case 12 months down the line. Nissan claims the former will allow for up to 250 miles of driving on a single charge, while the latter will be able to manage a maximum of 329 miles (spec dependent) before you need to plug it in.

Model 

Battery size

Range

63kWh Engage/Advance/Evolve

63kWh

250 miles

87kWh Engage/Advance/Evolve

87kWh

329 miles

e-4ORCE 87kWh Advance/Evolve

87kWh

319 miles

e-4ORCE 87kWh Evolve+

87kWh

310 miles

During our test drive of the smaller battery option we were able to easily extract around 235 miles; drivers with a lighter right foot may be able to squeeze out even more. This equates to an efficiency figure of around 3.7 miles/kWh. These figures are about the same as what can be expected from rivals; the 58kWh Enyaq quotes around 258 miles. However, the Toyota bZ4X can travel over 300 miles even in base specification.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

We’ve also sampled the 87kWh version with front-wheel drive, which commands a premium of around £5,000 depending on exactly which version you go for. Unless you really need to drive long distances, or don’t have any way to charge at home, the 63kWh likely represents better value.

Basic Ariyas get a 7.4kW (AC) on-board charger, allowing for a full charge overnight using a standard home wallbox. Higher-spec models better this with a 22kW on-board charger, enabling use of faster AC charge points, though this type of charger is less common.

Regardless, all Ariya models get 130kW (DC) rapid charging, for a 20-80% in under 30 minutes when connected to a compatible public charger. The sat nav can suggest charging stops along your route if necessary, and precondition the battery so it’s in its optimum state for fast charging when you arrive at a chargepoint. 

One standard feature that is often an optional extra on most EVs at this price point is a heat pump. This compresses refrigerant to warm air passing through from the outside, reducing the need to use the car’s electric heating system. Consequently, range is improved in winter months where a portion of the car’s charge would have instead been used to power the heater.

Otherwise, the Nissan Ariya benefits from all the usual perks of EV driving; no road tax (VED) until 2025, exemption from low-emission zones and the London Congestion Charge, plus rock-bottom Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company-car tax. Sitting in the lowest 2% bracket, you’ll save a fortune versus the equivalent Nissan Qashqai.

Insurance groups

Insurance ratings for the Nissan Ariya start from group 31, which is pretty reasonable. The bigger battery commands a two-group premium, while climbing up through the specs also adds to the price you’ll pay. Top-spec Evolve+ cars with all the bells and whistles sit in group 42, which is more than the equivalent Skoda Enyaq vRS, but less than any Tesla Model Y.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Ford Explorer review – good-to-drive EV with a long range
Ford Explorer Carbuyer UK drive
In-depth reviews
9 Oct 2024

Ford Explorer review – good-to-drive EV with a long range

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024