The Nissan Ariya and the Volkswagen ID.4 are two of the most recognizable cars on the road. Both of these electric vehicles offer spacious interiors and sleek designs, and are classified as mainstream compact electric SUVs.

With similar pricing, technology, and features, it is easy to see that the vehicles are extremely similar to one another, and shoppers who are considering both cars might be a little confused over which one to ultimately choose. So, which is more popular so far this year—the Nissan Ariya or the Volkswagen ID.4?

The first quarter of 2023 saw much higher sales for the ID.4 than the Nissan Ariya

Q1 2023 sales for the Nissan Ariya weren’t exactly stellar, with only 2,860 units sold, according to Nissan News.  Q1 2023 saw sales of 9,758 units for the Volkswagen ID.4, and according to the website Green Car Congress, this is a 254.2% over Q1 2022, in which the ID.4 sold only 2,755 units, representing only 4.2% of new sales.

This trend has continued into Q2 of 2023, as the ID.4 again outsold the Ariya. Year-to-date sales figures paint the best picture. So far this year the ID.4 has sold 16,448 units compared to 5,194 for the Ariya.

What is the reason for the difference in sales?

Those who are in the market for a new compact electric SUV may be wondering what the reason is for the glaring difference in sales between the Ariya and the Volkswagen ID.4.

It turns out that the ID.4 has a slightly lower starting price at $40,290 as compared to the Ariya, which starts at $44,525. Both offer similar ranges, with the ID.4 will achieve up to 275 miles while the Ariya gets up to 272 miles. 

The Nissan Ariya and the Volkswagen ID.4 both have seating for five, and the Ariya boasts a maximum horsepower RPM of 238, and maximum torque RPM of 221. The ID.4 has a maximum horsepower of 295, and maximum torque of 339. Both vehicles are all-wheel drive, and the features of the cars are similar as well.

Drivers will find that when it comes to the Ariya, Apply CarPlay, in-depth navigation, and Android Auto are all standard.  Cooled front seats, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel with memory function, and LED headlights, tail lights, daytime running lights, and fog lights are just some of the available features for this SUV. 

The ID.4 offers a standard 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, and 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and memory settings. Just like the Ariya, this SUV has a list of available features, such as heated front, rear seats, and steering wheel, wireless phone charging⁠, three-zone automatic climate control, and Volkswagen ID. Cockpit digital instrument display.

Is Nissan experiencing a supply issue?

Despite the comparability of the two SUVs, it appears that the Volkswagen ID.4 certainly has the edge. This raises the question as to whether Nissan is experiencing a supply issue which may account for the lower sales.

This may be the case, since according to CarBuzz, there is a lack of inventory. One dealer expressed their thoughts by saying “Why can’t we produce the Ariya in any acceptable volume?” He added that “Customers are walking in saying, ‘I’m sold, let me buy one.’ But we can’t tell them when it’s coming.”

This is still the beginning of the story for both models. Time will tell which electric SUV ends up being more popular in the long run.