Twitter was in its infancy. Elon Musk was a mere hundred millionaire. It was a simpler time.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+Tim Levin/Insider
Despite the Leaf's success and some improvements over the years, more than a decade without a new electric model has left the one-time trailblazer lagging behind in the EV race. The 2023 Ariya SUV is Nissan's next act.
Delivering loads more comfort, style, and capability than the aging Leaf, the Ariya proves that even after a hiatus Nissan is ready to go toe-to-toe with today's top EVs.
The basics
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+Tim Levin/Insider
The Ariya landed in the US earlier this year with a starting retail price of $43,190. There are several trims to choose from, two battery sizes, and a hard-to-pronounce all-wheel-drive option called "e-4ORCE."
Nissan lent me a front-wheel-drive Ariya Empower+, which came out to $59,495, including a destination fee and some fancy extras like carpeted floor mats, a $350 two-tone paint job, and eye-catching wheels for $1,900.
Its biggest rivals are other compact electric SUVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Volkswagen ID.4, all of which have been around for years.
What stands out: A comfy interior, good range, and straightforward controls
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+Tim Levin/Insider
There's a lot to like about the Ariya, even if it isn't the flashiest or most cutting-edge EV out there.
It's spacious, good-looking, has decent driving range, and is easy to get the hang of — in contrast to some more techy competitors. (Looking at you and your touchscreen-operated windshield wipers, Tesla.)
Without a gas engine taking up valuable real estate, EVs can offer lots more packaging flexibility than gas vehicles, which Nissan took full advantage of here. As a result, the Ariya affords a surprising amount of room to stretch out in front and in back.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+Tim Levin/Insider
There's no bulky tunnel running down the middle of the vehicle. Rather, there's a wide-open space by the driver's right knee, which lends a sense of openness you don't get in every EV. Plus my test car's wood trim, stylish leather seats, panoramic sunroof, and champagne-colored accents gave it an upscale feel and helped justify the $60,000 price tag.
My tester had the optional adjustable center console, which electronically scoots forward and backward using buttons facing the driver. It's a bit gimmicky, but it can help maximize space up front and put the gear shifter in just the right spot.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+Tim Levin/Insider
The quirks don't stop there. The open/close buttons on the center console offer access to a secret compartment that electronically unfurls from underneath the dashboard.
The main touchscreen is crisp and responsive to taps, but nothing special. The digital gauge cluster facing the driver is straightforward, easily customizable, and doesn't bombard you with too much information, which I appreciated. And the Ariya manages to provide a clean, minimalist aesthetic without getting rid of every single button.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+Tim Levin/Insider
Below the touchscreen and on the center console you'll find capacitive switches (the kind you tap rather than click) embedded elegantly into the wood trim. The persistent problem with these types of buttons is they're often too small and subtle to find at a glance while driving.
Nissan solves this issue by supersizing them. It's kind of like an EV for kindergartners, or the elderly.
What it's like to drive
The Ariya drives a lot like other mainstream EVs in that it's smooth and nearly silent. It's got a little kick for tight highway merges, but its 238 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque don't leave much to write home about. The all-wheel-drive version, which adds a second motor, should have a bit more pep in its step.
Range is a high point. The model I sampled is EPA-rated for a robust 289 miles, and the Venture+ version returns 304 miles for just over $47,000. It's a no-brainer to get that one rather than the base model, which promises a mere 216 miles.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+Tim Levin/Insider
Long road trips will be easy as cake thanks to Nissan's wonderful ProPilot 2.0 system, which uses an array of sensors to accelerate, steer, brake, and even change lanes for you on the highway. Moreover, it allows for hands-free driving on stretches of road that Nissan has mapped out and changes lanes for you. I found it relieved some of the monotony of bumper-to-bumper New York traffic.
Just like in Ford and GM's similarly-equipped vehicles, a driver-monitoring camera mounted to the steering column watches to make sure you don't start scrolling Instagram while ProPilot 2.0 is active.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+Tim Levin/Insider
Hands-free driving isn't available across the board, but Nissan doesn't skimp on standard safety features. The base Ariya comes equipped with lane-keeping, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
What falls short: Some of the things people love about EVs
I'll keep this section short, because I really enjoyed the Ariya overall. But buyers might miss some of the things people love about electric cars, like a sprawling, feature-packed touchscreen, super-quick acceleration, and a front trunk. The Ariya doesn't offer one-pedal driving, a popular feature that lets drivers come to a stop by simply lifting their foot off of the accelerator.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+Tim Levin/Insider
Nissan says the Ariya can charge from 20%-80% in 40 minutes using a sufficiently powerful fast charger. That's not too shabby. But the best offerings from Hyundai and Kia can do 10%-80% in just 18 minutes.
Don't call it a comeback
The Ariya is a little late to the party. But its stylish looks, no-fuss operation, and solid range make it an appealing and approachable choice in the growing EV market.
Do you love your EV? Never giving up gas? We want to hear your opinions on electric cars. Contact this reporter at tlevin@insider.com
Ana Navarro, a long-time co-host of The View, posted on her Instagram Thursday an old photo of nude Melania Trump as a way to troll her husband’s supporters, saying: “You wanna go low? ... I’ll happily go 20,000 leagues under the sea.”It was a picture from 2000 featured in British GQ, five years before Donald Trump married her.Navarro also included a picture of both Trumps partying with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, also from 2000. Her explanation for posting these images was that it wa
Céline Dion and Lady Gaga are performing a duet at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Here's how much they are reportedly being paid for one song.
Donald Trump ditched his ear bandage for his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday. The former president’s right ear returned to public life after being injured during the assassination attempt on the former president on July 13.The former president’s large bandage became an impromptu fashion statement during the Republican National Convention with some attendees donning DIY wound dressings. Following the convention, Trump swapped out his bulky white gauze for a thin n
Kamala Harris’ campaign trolled Donald Trump after his appearance on Fox News Thursday morning with a statement attacking his age and criminal conviction.The Republican gave his two-cents to Fox & Friends on a range of issues over the course of a roughly 30-minute interview, variously describing President Joe Biden as a “problemmed man” and slamming Harris as “real garbage.” Harris for President quickly hit back, releasing a: “Statement on a 78-Year-Old Criminal’s Fox News Appearance.”“After wat
A three-year-old boy has been found dead in a Mississauga creek a day after he was reported missing, Peel police say.The body of boy, named Zaid, was found in the water at about 5:40 p.m. on Friday.Zaid was last seen in Erindale Park at about 6:20 p.m. Thursday. He was in the popular park with his parents when he wandered off, police said. Police described him on Thursday as "vulnerable" and possibly non-verbal."They were enjoying their time in the park and this is the end result," he said.Polic
Billionaire Democratic donors Barry Diller and Reid Hoffman said in interviews this week they hope Kamala Harris will replace Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan if she becomes U.S. president, openly rejecting a pillar of President Joe Biden's antitrust policy. Khan has been at the forefront of the Biden administration's push to use U.S. antitrust law to boost competition and address high prices and low wages. Khan, who oversaw the FTC's ban on noncompete agreements, has drawn the ire of corporate groups, but won fans including Donald Trump's running mate, JD Vance, for her skepticism towards big business.
As Donald Trump pivots his focus to Vice President Kamala Harris, one point of attack toward his new 2024 opponent is an old ploy: mispronouncing and mocking her name. Earlier this week, at his first rally since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, Trump bungled Harris's name dozens of times in the span of his nearly 90-minute stump speech. For years, Harris has been referred to by Trump, Republicans and conservative media like Fox News by only her first name rather than "vice president" or even "Harris" -- and they say it incorrectly.