Nissan is working on getting its mojo back with its all-new electric Nissan Ariya crossover SUV. With the Ariya, Nissan wants to disrupt the electric crossover market and specifically challenge the Tesla Model Y. And from what we can tell, the Ariya has a strong case against the Model Y.

It’s do-or-die for Nissan

Nissan has been falling off for years, and the carmaker’s internal drama reached a climax within the last month. Amid all the negative press for Nissan, news of the Ariya has been a significant bright spot for the Japanese-based carmaker. CEO Makoto Uchida and Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta have underscored the importance of the Ariya. The Ariya isn’t just a crossover but also signals the new era for the company. Nissan even revealed a new company logo to mark its transition as a more futuristic carmaker. 

“The Ariya, a key model in Nissan’s plan to roll out 10 new models in 20 months, demonstrates our commitment to meeting customer demand for crossovers with the most advanced electrified, automated and connected technologies,” Gupta said. “The company expects sales of its EVs and e-POWER electrified models to be more than 1 million units a year by the end of fiscal 2023. The Ariya will play a significant role in attaining that goal.”

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The Ariya will have sports-car level power

Nissan claims that the eco-friendly Ariya will perform like a sports car and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The carmaker also says that its engineering team specifically used the Model Y’s specs as a reference point. Nissan’s Ariya will also offer a comparable driving range to the Model Y. AutoNews also noted that the Ariya will provide a more spacious car cabin compared to Tesla’s crossover.

Not only does the Ariya take aim at the Model Y, but it’s also a huge advancement from the Leaf EV. The Airya will be available with a 65-kWh short-range or 90-kWh long-range battery that produces 221/443 pound-feet of torque. The Leaf Plus features a 62-kWh battery with 250 pound-feet of torque.

“Nissan was a pioneer in the world of mass-market electric vehicles a decade ago with LEAF, setting the standard for affordable, mass-market electric vehicles. We expect nothing less for the new Nissan Ariya,” said Gupta. “While the driving exhilaration of its acceleration and torque levels is undeniable, the Ariya offers balanced, customer-centric technology that is perfect for everyday use.”

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Timeless Japanese Futurism

Nissan says that the Ariya will be the first model in its lineup to display its new design concept known as Timeless Japanese Futurism. The Ariya’s elegant exterior complemented with a “lounge-like” interior complete with Zero gravity seats demonstrates this. We are also extremely excited about the Ariya’s many tech features, including Nissan’s hands-free driving system ProPILOT Assist 2.0 . The Ariya will come with a suite of updated suite of safety features too. Nissan says the Ariya will be available for sale later in 2021 with a starting price of $40K. It just might be worth the wait.