After showing it off as a thinly-disguised concept at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan has finally unveiled the production version of its first all-electric, zero emissions SUV: the 2021 Ariya. And sadly, it looks like a bore.

Nissan says it’s a nod to Japanese aesthetics, particularly “Timeless Japanese Futurism.” It’s supposed to be a distinctive Japanese approach, conveying simple yet powerfully modern lines. In the end? Designers came up with a Lexus. Oh, and what’s with the two shark’s fin antennas on the roof?



Don’t fret. As unimpressive as it is on the outside, it does impress inside. Using a unique EV platform, the Ariya’s interior floor is completely flat. Moreover, compact climate control components and a lounge-like interior (a highlight of which are the Zero Gravity Seats) making it a great way to spend endless hours commuting in.

An all-new human-machine interface lets customers use natural speech to adjust car settings and over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates keep it fresh and exciting. The Ariya also includes Amazon’s Alexa.



The Ariya’s all-electric powertrain can be paired to a front-wheel drive system, but the highlight is the new e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system. Not only does this provide all-weather capability, but the twin electric motors provide sports car level performance levels. How fast? It reaches the 100 km/h mark in 5.1 seconds—as fast as the 370Z. This performance is thanks to its electric motors’ outputs: 394 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque. Range tops out at 610 kilometers.

Nissan calls the Ariya their most technologically advanced car to date. With that, it comes with ProPilot 2.0 which has single-lane autonomous driving as well as a complete suite of driver assist technology including Nissan’s Safety Shield system. Features such as Intelligent Around View Monitor, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking and Rear Automatic Emergency Braking are standard.



The all-new Nissan Ariya is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in mid-2021. It will be priced at around 5 million yen (P 2.5 million~). It will then go on sale in Europe, North America, and China by the end of 2021. No news whether Nissan Philippines will offer the Ariya locally.


2021 Nissan Ariya General Specifications

• Overall Length: 4,595 mm
• Overall Width: 1,850 mm
• Overall Height: 1,655 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,775 mm
• Curb Weight: 1,900 to 2,200 kg
• Luggage Capacity: 466L (2WD), 408L (4WD)
• Tires: 235/55 R 19 (standard), 255/45 R 20 (option)
• Output: 214 PS (160 kW), 2WD, 65 kWh
• Output: 238 PS (178 kW), 2WD, 90 kWh
• Output: 335 PS (250 kW), 4WD, 65 kWh
• Output: 394 PS (290 kW), 4WD, 90 kWh
• Torque: 300 Nm (2WD), 
• Torque: 560 Nm (2WD, 65 kWh)
• Torque: 600 Nm (4WD, 90 kWh)
• 0-100 km/h: 7.5 seconds (2WD, 65 kWh)
• 0-100 km/h: 7.6 seconds (2WD, 90 kWh)
• 0-100 km/h: 5.4 seconds (4WD, 65 kWh)
• 0-100 km/h: 5.1 seconds (4WD, 90 kWh)
• Range: 450 km (2WD, 65 kWh)
• Range: 610 km (2WD, 90 kWh)
• Range: 430 km (4WD, 65 kWh)
• Range: 580 km (4WD, 90 kWh)