2025 Ariya Evolve+ E4ORCE
Price (as tested): $67,148 CAD
Colour: 2 Tone Pearl Metallic
There’s a lot of talk about the troubles Nissan is facing currently. One of the most common criticisms of the company is their lack of progress on the electrification front. This is particularly vexing given how progressive and ahead of the curve Nissan was with the Leaf over a decade ago. Since then, they’ve effectively ignored the segment and have since been left far behind. This could prove to work in Nissan’s favor if the backlash being experienced by the EV segment continues to grow. It would limit Nissan’s exposure and would have saved them untold amounts of money committed to R&D related to EV’s. Nevertheless, Nissan has released an all-new EV called the Ariya. It’s a quirky but handsome looking 5-passenger SUV. Why it took so long is anyone’s guess, but now that it’s here it proves that when they apply themselves, Nissan can still make a competitive car.
The 2025 Nissan Ariya (“Ariya” means noble for reference) is available in three trims in Canada. The entry level FWD Engage (Captain Picard’s choice I’m sure) which starts at $52,919 CAD, the mid range AWD (what Nissan has dubbed “E4ORCE”) Evolve starting at $59,919 CAD and finally the FWD/AWD Evolve+ (because everything premium is indicated by a little “+” isn’t it?) which starts at $62,919 CAD to which you can still add plenty of packages as you see fit. As tested, I’ve been driving the Evolve+ with E4ORCE and it was a pleasant vehicle to drive. It is of course expensive costing just north of 67k in Canadian funny money but that’s a problem plaguing most EV’s so I’ll give it a pass in that regard. This particular vehicle is equipped with the Platinum+ (there it is again) Premiere Package which provides a bunch of bits and bobs you could live without and gives you a range of 414kms. Real world results were less than this, but I wasn’t driving it in a hermetically sealed testing facility, so this came as no surprise. The AWD was very stable, and the ride was comfortable even on the 20” rims this car had fitted. I would likely opt for the mid-range Evolve as I value AWD (not sure I value it for $7,000 but let’s not fixate) and skip the rest of the tinsel to save myself a further $8,000.
As 5-passenger EV SUV’s go, the Ariya is a real contender. It’s good looking, has plenty of space and is well equipped although options from the likes of Hyundai and Kia do provide slightly more for the same money. It also feels pretty well built using very decent materials. I’ve been a vocal critic of Nissan build quality and their choice of interior finishing materials over the years. You often see the cost cutting decisions on full display even in some of their more up-scale vehicles. There’s very little of that in the Ariya and it’s a welcome relief.
I am one of those people that want Nissan to find their way back from the darkness in which they currently reside. It won’t be easy and the certainly don’t do themselves any favors along the way. I grew up with their cars and the likes of the 240Z (before my time but it’s the epitome of a Japanese sports car), the Skyline, 350Z, 370Z, MKII Pathfinder… you get my point. Nissan has given us so much and with the Ariya they show they can still make good, competitive cars in any segment, they just need to get out of their own way, stop worrying about only tomorrow and think a little longer term. In the meantime, we have the Ariya to attach our hopes and dreams to and only the future will tell what comes next.
