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  4. I drove the electric Nissan Ariya SUV. It's a strong rival to Tesla, but not as tech-forward and fun to drive.

I drove the electric Nissan Ariya SUV. It's a strong rival to Tesla, but not as tech-forward and fun to drive.

More than a decade after releasing the pioneering Leaf in 2010, Nissan is back with its second electric vehicle.

I drove the electric Nissan Ariya SUV. It's a strong rival to Tesla, but not as tech-forward and fun to drive.
Insider Picks1 min read
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+ I tested has 289 miles of range and a stylish interior.Tim Levin/Insider
  • Nissan recently started selling its new electric SUV, the 2023 Ariya, and I got to drive it.
  • It's a strong rival to Tesla, but not as tech-forward and fun to drive.

More than a decade after releasing the pioneering Leaf in 2010, Nissan is back with its second electric vehicle.

More than a decade after releasing the pioneering Leaf in 2010, Nissan is back with its second electric vehicle.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+      Tim Levin/Insider

It's called the Ariya, and I got to drive it.

It
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

Let me show you around the new Tesla rival and tell you everything you need to know.

Let me show you around the new Tesla rival and tell you everything you need to know.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

The 2023 Ariya SUV comes in a variety of trim levels and battery sizes. The cheapest model retails for $43,190.

The 2023 Ariya SUV comes in a variety of trim levels and battery sizes. The cheapest model retails for $43,190.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

Choose a fancier trim and some options, and you could pay around $60,000. That's the cost of the Ariya Empower+ model that Nissan loaned me.

Choose a fancier trim and some options, and you could pay around $60,000. That
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+      Tim Levin/Insider

All-wheel drive is optional and adds an extra motor. The SUV I tested was front-wheel drive.

All-wheel drive is optional and adds an extra motor. The SUV I tested was front-wheel drive.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+      Tim Levin/Insider

When it comes to styling, the Ariya isn't quite as futuristic looking as a Kia EV6 or Polestar 2, but it isn't boring either. It's stylish and somewhat distinctive, but not over the top.

When it comes to styling, the Ariya isn
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

Hop inside and you're greeted by a surprisingly spacious and upscale-feeling interior.

Hop inside and you
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+      Tim Levin/Insider

My test car had leatherette seats, faux-wood trim, and a big moonroof.

My test car had leatherette seats, faux-wood trim, and a big moonroof.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

Without an engine taking up space, electric cars offer a lot more packaging flexibility than gas vehicles, often creating more room for passengers and cargo.

Without an engine taking up space, electric cars offer a lot more packaging flexibility than gas vehicles, often creating more room for passengers and cargo.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+      Tim Levin/Insider

Some companies take advantage of that freedom better than others. And the Ariya feels super spacious and open.

Some companies take advantage of that freedom better than others. And the Ariya feels super spacious and open.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

Nissan created a large open space in front of the center console, which makes the whole cabin feel airy instead of cramped.

Nissan created a large open space in front of the center console, which makes the whole cabin feel airy instead of cramped.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

The back seats are roomy. Even with the driver's seat all the way back, I still had ample legroom.

The back seats are roomy. Even with the driver
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

Plus, back-seat passengers get USB ports and, optionally, heated seats.

Plus, back-seat passengers get USB ports and, optionally, heated seats.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

One quirk of the Ariya: You can choose an adjustable center console that moves forward and backward using little buttons facing the driver.

One quirk of the Ariya: You can choose an adjustable center console that moves forward and backward using little buttons facing the driver.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+      Tim Levin/Insider

Here it is in its farthest-back position.

Here it is in its farthest-back position.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

Slim air vents running across the width of the vehicle and a lack of buttons add to the minimalist, uncluttered vibe.

Slim air vents running across the width of the vehicle and a lack of buttons add to the minimalist, uncluttered vibe.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

Capacitive buttons — the kind you tap rather than click — are integrated into wood pieces on the dashboard and center console.

Capacitive buttons — the kind you tap rather than click — are integrated into wood pieces on the dashboard and center console.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+      Tim Levin/Insider

That means you don't have to use the touchscreen for some of the most-used functions, like the temperature and fan speed.

That means you don
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+      Tim Levin/Insider

Open and close switches by the gear selector grant access to a funky storage drawer that electronically drops out from under the dash.

Open and close switches by the gear selector grant access to a funky storage drawer that electronically drops out from under the dash.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

You can use it as a little desk if you keep the cover on.

You can use it as a little desk if you keep the cover on.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

Drivers get a digital gauge cluster and a touchscreen on a curved panel.

Drivers get a digital gauge cluster and a touchscreen on a curved panel.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

Both screens are easy to read and operate.

Both screens are easy to read and operate.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+      Tim Levin/Insider

But they're pretty basic and don't offer all the tech features you'd find in a car like a Tesla.

But they
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

My tester came with extra tech like a digital rear-view mirror. It helped with rearward visibility, since the Ariya's back window is tiny.

My tester came with extra tech like a digital rear-view mirror. It helped with rearward visibility, since the Ariya
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Ariya drives a lot like other mainstream electric SUVs. It's quiet and smooth.

The Ariya drives a lot like other mainstream electric SUVs. It
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+      Tim Levin/Insider

Like in other EVs, acceleration comes on abruptly and helps with quick merges. But overall, the front-wheel-drive Ariya isn't as exciting behind the wheel as other electric models.

Like in other EVs, acceleration comes on abruptly and helps with quick merges. But overall, the front-wheel-drive Ariya isn
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

The all-wheel-drive, dual-motor model offers more power, but I haven't tested that one.

The all-wheel-drive, dual-motor model offers more power, but I haven
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

Where the Ariya really excels is range. My tester is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency for 289 miles, and the longest-range version goes up to 304.

Where the Ariya really excels is range. My tester is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency for 289 miles, and the longest-range version goes up to 304.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

I also enjoyed ProPilot 2.0, Nissan's driver-assistance feature that offers hands-free driving on some highways.

I also enjoyed ProPilot 2.0, Nissan
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

It relieved the monotony of stop-and-go traffic and uses cameras to make sure you pay attention when it's engaged. That's a nice safety feature.

It relieved the monotony of stop-and-go traffic and uses cameras to make sure you pay attention when it
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

All Ariyas come with a generous assortment of safety tech, including blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping, and rear cross-traffic alerts.

All Ariyas come with a generous assortment of safety tech, including blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping, and rear cross-traffic alerts.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider

Between its stylish interior, straightforward controls, and healthy range, the Ariya is a great little SUV. It proves that 13 years after helping pioneer electric cars with the Leaf, Nissan is ready to challenge today's best EVs.

Between its stylish interior, straightforward controls, and healthy range, the Ariya is a great little SUV. It proves that 13 years after helping pioneer electric cars with the Leaf, Nissan is ready to challenge today
The 2023 Nissan Ariya.      Tim Levin/Insider
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