Ariya EV crossover leads the way in Nissan four-car drive

Published on 26 November, 2022

Overview

I thought I’d give you a snapshot of my test drives in no fewer than four new, or revised, cars this week. That’s because all four are Nissans – and “electrified” in one mode or another.

The main drive was the new Ariya full-electric crossover. This is a big, brilliantly designed car, much roomier than it looks, with lots of cabin space (thanks to a flat floor).

But the boot is poor enough on space. A pity. However, there is a high opening for the rear hatch which is a real bonus because you don’t have to stoop at all to load stuff.

Every car has, or should have, its unique selling point (USP) and if I had to pick over the Ariya’s contenders it would be the way they have buttons flush with the surface on the lower dash for certain functions.

The simple array looks well and lifts the front of the cabin – as well as being practical and easy to use. Don’t worry: there are protruding buttons for other most-in-use functions as well. It’s clever how primary control functions vibrate when touched – and only appear when the crossover is on.

It may seem a funny place to start a review but it was the first thing I noticed when I settled in and was symptomatic, as it transpired, of the minimalist, sure-touch approach to most aspects of the car.

For example, the two 12.3in screens not only looked the part, the graphics were clear and easy to work. Simplicity wins. The seats, too, were excellent in the Advance model I tested. 

I also found it solid on the road and sprightly in response to any sort of prompt from the right foot. Like most other elements there was no fuss. Steering feedback was just that: strong, reassuring and enjoyable from my excellent high-driving position.

There are two battery options, a 63kWh version with 402km range and an 87kWh model with 529km claimed.

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Pricing for entry grade 63kWh Advance starts at €48,995. You pay a sizzling €66,995 for the range-topping 87kWh version.

The brand’s Safety Shield system is standard and includes intelligent 360-degree around view monitor, intelligent cruise control, pedestrian/cyclist detection and cross-traffic alert technology.

Standard too is ProPilot which gives hands-on assistance to stay centred in the lane and navigate stop-and-go motorway traffic while the e-Pedal functions allow you to start, accelerate and decelerate using only the accelerator.

It’s a classy package and well worth a look. It presses a lot of the right buttons (sorry I couldn’t resist the pun).

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X-Trail and Qashqai

Next up was the Nissan X-Trail seven-seat crossover (there is a five-seat version too) and the new e-Qashqai “hybrids”. The big interest common to both was the brand’s e-Power system. It’s a different approach to how a hybrid works.

Yes, it has a petrol engine, a battery, an inverter and an electric motor as “normal”. Only in the case of both the Qashqai and X-Trail the engine does not directly drive the wheels, as is usually the case.

The e-Power system’s battery is fed by a 1.5-litre 3cyl petrol engine, and power makes its way to the electric motor. It drives the wheels. The engine does not.

It is claimed that because the motor is the sole source of power to the wheels, you get better fuel efficiency. I will check that on a longer drive in the new year, I hope.

A lot of the time it felt like I was driving an EV, I didn’t hear the engine, or if I did it was low volume. The system makes for even use of the petrol engine rather than higher and lower revs linked to normal acceleration/deceleration.

So, you get the benefit of EV driving without having to plug in to recharge. 

Research shows drivers in the crossover class spend more than 70pc of their time on urban and suburban routes. The Qashqai e-Power, in particular, targets commuters who would like to go full EV but not until they can more easily recharge. I hear that from people all the time.

Prices for the e-Power Qashqai start at €42,500. The five-seat X-Trail begins at €45,995 and from €54,995 for the seven-seat AWD version.

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Juke

The new Juke hybrid showcases the brand’s multi-modal hybrid powertrain. In essence that means that most of the time I was driving the small crossover in electric-driving mode.

The powertrain comprises a new 94hp engine, a main motor that yields 25pc more power and a claimed lower consumption of up to 40pc in urban driving.

It was lively as I’ve come to expect from a Juke. With the new hybrid set-up it costs from €34,100.

Factfile

Nissan Ariya EV: Compact, sharply designed SUV/crossover. Two battery power versions: 63kWh with claimed 402km range; and 87kWh model with up to 529km between charges is claimed.

e-Power Qashqai: A new hybrid system called e-Power that has electric motor – not the petrol engine – driving the wheels.

e-Power X-Trail: Also powered by e-Power hybrid system. Comes as a five seater and a seven seater. 

Juke hybrid: Nothing as radical as the others but has a new take on hybrid workings. 

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