Nissan Ariya finally gets an Australian price: $56K plus on-roads

It's been a long road for the Ariya, with the big hold-up beyond supply and basic homologation being the need for a top tether anchor point on the second row's middle seat – an Australian Design Rules requirement that has delayed other models in the past, too.

Now at last the work is done, and Nissan has confirmed a September debut for its rival to the popular Tesla Model Y – and the storm of other compelling midsize electric SUV contenders that have blown in over the past few years.

It'll start cheaper, too, with its $55,840 opening price (before on-road costs) dropping it below the $59K Model Y, along with the $57K Kia EV5, while the Skoda Elroq is a touch cheaper at $55K.

That, to me, makes the Ariya an EV worth looking at if you're shopping in that space.

Yeah it's five years old now, but its specs are solid and should satisfy any buyer that isn't deadset on segment-leading numbers in every category.

In base 'Engage' form, you'll get a 160kW/300Nm electric motor turning the front wheels, with a 63kWh lithium-ion battery pack promising a WLTP driving range of up to 385km. That's only slightly outdone by the entry Kia EV5, for example, which claims 400km.

Equipment highlights include 19" alloys and two 12.3" displays with wireless Apple Carplay and, infuriatingly, wired Android Auto. What bloody year are we living in here?

The rest of the base model's spec is as you'd expect in an entry-level EV (that is, less than what you used to get for $56K before EVs came along), with keyless entry, dual-zone climate, cloth seats, wireless phone charging, and so on.

The $60K Ariya Advance adds black fabric and pleather seat trim, heated and powered front seats, heated steering wheel, surround-view camera, powered tailgate, and 10-speaker Bose audio.

The next major spec leap in the range is the Ariya Advance+ at $64K before on-roads, upping output to 178kW and battery capacity to 87kWh for a 504km claimed range.

Equipment upgrades include a full pleather trim with 'Ultrasuede' inserts, along with a head-up display, panoramic glass roof, powered sliding centre console, 'cooled' front seats and heated rear seats.

The Advance+ is the one to get, really.

If you want all-wheel drive, the top-shelf $72K Ariya Evolve E-4orce adds a second 160kW motor and promises a huge 600Nm in torque for a 0-100km/h claim of 5.6 seconds. Using the same 87kWh battery pack, driving range drops back to 487km.

For the spend, you'll also get 20" rims, three-phase AC onboard charger, Nappa leather trim in a blue shade, adaptive LED headlights, and a feature that somehow isn't standard across the range: a tilting and telescoping steering wheel column.

Towing is rated at 1500kg braked in the E-4orce, and 750kg braked for the other two.

All new Nissan models get a 10-year/300,000km warranty if you service at a Nissan authorised shop, dropping back to five years if you go your own way.

The battery gets an eight-year/160,000km warranty, promising to retain at least 75% capacity over that time.

Check out Tung's story at Drive if you want a full rundown on the features and equipment in each model grade.

Pricing: 2025 Nissan Ariya

All prices exclude on-road costs.

• Ariya Engage – $55,840
• Ariya Advance – $59,840
• Ariya Advance+ – $63,840
• Ariya Evolve e-4orce – $71,840

TIP: If you're not in a rush to buy, it'll be worth waiting for a mega comparison test between the Ariya and its key rivals. The big publishers usually pull one out every year.

In the meantime, Carsales has a good comparo between the Kia EV5 and the Tesla Model Y. (Written comparison linked, video embedded below.)