Nissan releases more info regarding all-new 2023 Ariya EV crossover and opens for reservations

Nissan is getting close with the new Ariya EV crossover. Nissan has opened the doors for Ariya reservations with deliveries beginning next year (the top-end Platinum e-Force model won't be available until late Fall 2022). In the beginning, the Ariya will be available in four trim levels: Venture + (fwd), Evolve + (fwd), Premiere (fwd, limited availability), and Platinum + e-4orce (awd). The first three trim levels come with a single-motor drive system that produces 238 hp and 221 lb./ft. of torque and an 87 kWH battery pack with an estimated range of 300 miles (final EPA-certified range figures not yet available),  The Platinum + e-4orce model features a dual-motor system that produces 389 hp, 442 lb./ft. of torques, all-wheel drive, and an 87 kWH battery pack that should be good for a 265 mile range. Prices start at $45,950 (+ taxes, license, fees, options, and minus any federal, state, and local rebates) for the Venture + trim to $58,950+/- for the top-of-the-line Platinum + e-4orce trim. The dash pic appears to be of one of the lower trim levels. To reserve your Ariya or to check out the various colors and trim levels go to NissanUSA.com/ariya/reserve. To view the media release, a spec chart, and two videos, click on "read more" below. More choices!

Source: Nissan - Media release, pics, and videos (2)

Nissan seriously enters the EV market with the new Ariya

Nissan was in the EV forefront for many years with the Leaf EV, so what happened? Why did it take so long for Nissan to get serious with electrified vehicles? I do know that Nissan is not alone in this, since most of the Japanese automakers seem to be "behind the EV curve" so to speak. I think the success of Tesla and their superb vehicles caught Nissan off guard. So it's catch-up time and Nissan is showing it's next EV step with the new Ariya (pronounced like aria?) crossover. Since the compact to mid-size vehicles market is the hot segment in the marketplace, this is no surprise. Final numbers surrounding range, speed, and charging rates are not available but expect the Ariya to be competitive, maybe not class-leading, but competitive.

So it comes down to styling, since final performance numbers aren't yet available. The Ariya is an attractive crossover and should tickle the fancies of many buyers. All though the execution here is better, I'm personally getting tired of Nissan's application of the buck-tooth grille to every vehicle (yea, trucks and vans get it too). The golden orange color of the intro vehicle isn't my taste either, but when it comes time to make the choices, a broad range of hues should be available. The interior is a bit spartan but could be Tesla-esque in design. I mean, if everyone liked the same things, all vehicles would look alike, right? According to the releases, prices should start around $39k when you add in shipping, delivery, and taxes. Options, and fees will force prices higher when the Ariya arrives next year.

Did I mention that Nissan is calling their EV systems e-4orce, which seems incredibly contrived. The press release (after the jump) seem to have been written in Marketing by someone with a thesaurus. When I worked in the newspaper biz, I did this kind of work so... Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available. Also catch the intro video in a separate post.

Source: Nissan for pics and press info