Written by Alan Taylor-Jones Updated: 5 February 2025

Overview

It would seem that no family electric SUV lineup is complete without some sort of performance version, and the Nissan Ariya Nismo has just been introduced to prove my point. It’s based on the regular Ariya E-4orce, but has more power and chassis tweaks to improve the handling.

The Nismo Ariya actually has the same front and rear electric motors as its slower sibling, just with the wick turned up to 435hp, enough for a 5.0 second 0-62mph time. The front and rear suspension has been stiffened, there’s a rearward bias to the four-wheel drive, and new grippier tyres.

You also get a distinctive black bodykit with Nismo badging, 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels, and a darker colour theme inside with red highlights and suede centres for the seats. Nissan itself points out that it’s not a direct rival for the more expensive Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, instead competing against the twin motor N Line model.

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Other rivals include the twin motor Kia EV6 GT Line, Volkswagen ID.5 GTX, Skoda Enyaq vRS, and Ford Capri. To find out if the Ariya Nismo is a better performance SUV that these, I’ve been to the South of France on some epic roads to get some time behind the wheel. If you want to know more about how we test, we’ve got an explainer page for you.

What’s it like inside?

Like a normal Nissan Ariya, only with a ‘sportier’ colour palette. The headlining is now black, and the wood-effect trims are darker, too. It’s disappointing that the seats are the same as the standard Ariya, although you do get black suede inserts to better hold you in place, and black faux leather for the bolsters.

There’s a Nismo badge on the dash, and Nismo branding for the digital displays as well. To make sure it remains sporty at all times, the ambient lighting choices are red, red or red. Like the regular Ariya, buttons are replaced with touch sensitive icons that are hard to find on the move, while the displays look a bit last generation.

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Space for people is good front and rear, although you’ll need to raise the front seats to get a decent amount of foot space in the back. The boot is small for the class at just 408 litres, and only has a 60/40 split folding rear bench. To make matters worse, you don’t even get a load-through facility.

Range and charging

More performance-oriented tyres do a real number on the driving range. Officially it’ll manage 261 miles on a single charge, with our mixed route giving energy consumption of 2.5 miles per kWh. That gives a calculated range of 217 miles, although cold weather or a heavier right foot would drop that below 200.

You get an on board charger that can accept up to 22kW, although you’ll need a three-phase supply to see that. On a typical 7.4kW home wallbox, expect a flat-to-full charge time of over 12 hours. Rapid charging can be done at a maximum of 130kW giving a 20-80% time of around 40 minutes. Most rivals can do better, and it’s well off the pace of the class leading EV6 and Ioniq 5. They can manage 10-80% in a mere 18 minutes.

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What’s it like to drive?

The Nismo feels much like a regular Ariya, just faster and less comfortable. You don’t feel a huge hit of acceleration off the line, with power gradually being fed in by the car’s electronics. It still feels appreciably faster than a Skoda Enyaq vRS, if not a Kia EV6 twin motor.

You’ll need Nismo mode to fully uncork the Ariya’s motors, slacken the electronic stability control (ESC) a little, and get the 40/60 front/rear power bias. Sadly, it also brings a far more sensitive accelerator pedal that can make smooth driving tricky. Brake feel is natural unlike many rivals, although some brisk driving in the mountains soon had them wilting. The wheels might be new, but the brakes are not.

Despite cracking roads and Nismo mode being engaged, the Ariya isn’t much fun. It still feels too keen to push wide at the front on or off power, and disabling the stability control doesn’t help make things any more exciting. A Cupra Tavascan feels more neutral and assured, and a Ford Capri can emulate its namesake in the wet, sliding sideways on command if you’ve selected ESC sport mode..

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The steering is well weighted and precise, but not engaging, while the ride is too stiff. It transmits far too much of the road’s surface to the people inside, and is quite sudden in the way it deals with road imperfections. A speed bump can have your head rocking back and forth, and it feels flat-footed over potholes. Even smooth-looking roads generate a surprising amount of fidget. Adaptive suspension isn’t even an option.

What models and trims are available?

You’ll pay less than £2,000 to jump from an E-4orce in Evolve trim to the Nismo, although you do miss out on a few luxuries like memory seats, an electric steering column, park assist, and some of the clever interior storage features.

Instead, you get a Nismo bodykit, Stealth grey paint (with no other option currently), 20-inch Enkei alloy wheels, an extra 130hp, stiffer suspension, red accents and ambient lighting, Nismo badging, a dark headliner, darker wood trim and different seat upholstery. No options are offered at the time of writing.

What else should I know?

While you can tow a braked trailer of up to 1,500kg with the E-4orce Ariya, you can’t tow at all with the Nismo. I blame the bodykit, which does more than look, er, distinctive. It actually cuts down on lift at speed, helping the Nismo stay in better contact with the tarmac.