Why Japan’s best electric car is not only difficult in Luxembourg

Nissan also writes losses, wants to close factories and reduce jobs after a merger with competitor Honda has only recently burst. It is all the more astonishing that Nissan of all people presented the first electric car for the mass market on August 1, 2009 and then produced from 2010. But while the competitors in the second half of the 2010s not only woke up thanks to the increasing pressure due to the massively growing US start-up Tesla, but also specifically focused on e-mobility, Nissan stayed with the Leaf for years. And accordingly, he came to the years at some point.

It was not until mid-2020 that the Ariya presented a trendy crossover SUV with a modern look and competitive data, which is on the same platform as Renault’s Stromer Megane E-Tech and Scenic E-Tech. The start of production was delayed due to the lack of chip during the Corona pandemic, so that the first cars could not be delivered until autumn 2022. That was plenty of late because numerous competitors had already spread in the segment.

Still futuristic

Since then, the market has developed with big steps and e-car buyers can not only draw from a wide range in Luxembourg. In the editorial test we were able to take a look at the current all-wheel drive model called « Ariya E-4orce 87 kWh », which in the leaking winter in a chic two-color painting Pearl Blue/Pearl Black rolled into the editorial parking lot. On the outside, the Japanese still makes a difference, even if the futuristic, smooth design should not only come across. In any case, a real character face looks different.

The Nissan cuts a good figure in the interior. The bright synthetic leather equipment exudes a pleasant luxury feeling and is supported by chic wood applications, overall the cockpit looks cozy and airy. There are original ideas such as the electrically displaced center console. If you take a closer look, you can also quickly notice where Nissan saved, because there is less nice hard plastic. Otherwise, two 12.3-inch displays dominate in the cockpit, which are supplemented by a head-up display depending on the equipment variant. In times of the growing touchscreen overkill, this is certainly no longer the top bar, but is completely sufficient in everyday use if you don’t want to watch movies in the car.

Outdated software

Nissan’s software is more difficult, which is still anything but round even over two years after the Ariya start and also seems hopelessly outdated. The use of the central infotainment screen is jerky and crossed by various software bugs, so that as a user you want to switch to Android car as soon as possible. However, this is only possible through cables, which is also not really up to date. After all, Apple CarPlay works wirelessly.

If you look at the software defects that are difficult to ignore, the Ariya is an astonishingly round overall package, which hardly anything is missing, especially in the higher equipment variants. The Japanese can still build cars. The crossover streak is clearly designed and literally glides across the street on long distances, which makes it a perfect candidate for the long distance. With 306 hp and a maximum torque of 600 Nm, the mid-range SUV, which weighs over 2.2 tons, is absolutely sufficiently motorized and accelerated in 5.7 seconds from 0 to 100. At km / h at km / h, the Japanese is sealed off. The soft, feathers of Ariya is only partially suitable for dynamic tricks, the body is rocking more, especially on fast cornering, than is known from some competitors.

In order to play out its comfort strengths on the long-distance route, the Ariya not only offers generous space for drivers and front passengers, but also for passengers in the back seat. However, the trunk volume is limited with 415 and 1,280 liters (with a folded back seat). The endurance for which the Ariya in the all-wheel drive variant relies on a 63 and 87 kWh battery. For the large battery in the test car, Nissan promises around 500 kilometers of WLTP range.

Luxembourg – Brussels – charging station – Luxembourg

Despite speed limits, traffic jams and construction sites on the route, on a winter test drive from Luxembourg to Brussels (around 230 kilometers per path) there was no way of going through. The test car approved around 23 kWh over 100 kilometers, so computing is possible for the 87 kWh battery over 350 kilometers, which coincides with our testing. This is fundamentally okay in winter, but is also better.

When recharging, Nissan promises speeds of up to 130 kW on the quick charging station, but the Ariya reached barely over 100 kW under real test conditions. Thus, the loading break takes up to 80 percent well over 30 minutes. Some competitors are already more than twice as fast here. On the other hand, the optional 22 kW loading option for the AC shop on urban charging stations (if supported) is very good. This is still missing from numerous premium manufacturers.

The Nissan Ariya presents itself as a double -edged sword in 2025. Great comfort, feel-good atmosphere and a solid drive meet a frighteningly weak software performance. It is currently still one of the best Japanese electricityers due to a lack of offer, but in international comparison it is simply much more. The Japanese with almost 65,000 euros (test car configuration) is also significantly removed from a bargain, both equipment and key data are usually cheaper in the competition. The Ariya should not only have it easy in Luxembourg, but on the entire global market.

The test car was made available to the editorial team by the manufacturer for a limited period of time.