Electric vehicle sales were up by 11 percent in the first quarter compared to the first quarter of 2024, while Tesla sales in the U.S. declined by nine-percent over the same timeframe. This would indicate that many buyers are looking for alternatives to Tesla. Given that the Model Y is the best-selling Tesla model, we can assume that these buyers are looking for a compact EV SUV, rather than a compact sedan like the Tesla Model 3. The compact SUV format is very popular across all powertrain options, and there are several very compelling electric SUVs to choose from.
The Chevrolet Equinox is very popular in the U.S. The new Volvo EX30 is shaping up to be a Porsche bully, and there are several notable options from Hyundai and Kia. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is definitely in the mix, as are three Japanese EV SUVs, of which one could very well be a viable option to the Tesla Model Y. The Model Y is known for its range, acceleration, and space for passengers and cargo. Tesla’s pricing on its website is a bit opaque, but the Model Y RWD Long Range starts at $50,630 and has a range of 337 miles. So that is the bar for our Japanese EV to match or beat.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturers and other authoritative sources, including Cox Automotive, the EPA, and Edmunds.
2024 Nissan Ariya
Model
Ariya
Engine
Single- or Dual-Permanent-Magnet Motors
Transmission
Single-Speed Automatic
Horsepower
214-389 HP
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Nissan Ariya – Competitive Performance And Range
The Nissan Ariya was launched in 2023. It is a five-seat EV SUV and is available in four trim levels, ranging from the Engage FWD starting at $39,770 to the Platinum+ AWD starting at $54,370. The cheaper Engage trim has a smaller battery and offers a range of only 216 miles, so not exactly strong competition for a Tesla Model Y RWD Long Range, which we set as the benchmark to compare with. Instead, we will focus on the Nissan Ariya Evolve+ FWD with an 87-kWh battery, and the Engage+ AWD, with more horsepower and a slightly reduced range, loosely comparing these to the RWD Long Range and the AWD Performance.
Offers Up To 289 Miles Of Range With The 87-kWh Battery
The Nissan Ariya Evolve+ and Engage+ offer significantly different performance parameters, so we’ll look at performance specifications for both cars.
Evolve+
Engage+
MSRP
$44,370
$45,370
Powertrain
AC Synchronous motor
Dual AC Synchronous motor
Horsepower
238 hp
389 hp
Torque
221 lb-ft
442 lb-ft
Transmission
Direct drive
Direct drive
Driveline
FWD
AWD
Battery capacity
87 kWh
87 kWh
Range
289 miles
272 miles
Fuel economy (City)
105 MPGe
97 MPGe
Fuel economy (City)
91 MPGe
86 MPGe
Fuel economy (City)
98 MPGe
92 MPGe
Keep in mind, though, that EV range, horsepower, and zero to 60 times have changed the way we view motoring, and not always in a meaningful way. The Volvo EX 30, for example, makes more horsepower and has a faster zero to 60 time than a Porsche 911 Carrera. Ask yourself, though, which would you prefer to see in your garage, and which one would you like to take around the Nürburgring? EVs bring their own set of advantages, but in the end, a car is measured by how well it drives and how safe it is. It is recommended that the buyer read several credible reviews and test-drive each of these cars before deciding.
Acceleration From 0 To 60 MPH In As Little As 4.8 Seconds
The Nissan Ariya range is very broad, offering a widely diverse set of data points. You can get an Ariya for under $40,000, another one with a range of 289 miles, one that can sprint from zero to 60 MPH in 4.8 seconds, and one with 389 horsepower, which is one horsepower more than the Porsche 911 Carrera.
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Advanced Technology Features
Nissan
Nissan has had an odd record with electric vehicles. After launching the Nissan Leaf, the world’s first affordable EV, back in 2010, it did a lot of work on solid-state batteries, but launched no other EV for 13 years. The Ariya was its next vehicle, launched in 2023, which makes it marginally younger than the 2020 Model Y.
Despite this lack of action on the EV front, Nissan EV sales grew by an above-market rate of 22 percent in the first quarter of 2025. The Nissan Ariya is a pretty solid EV, with good range, it’s well-priced, has a range of performance options, and offers superb technology. It is also Tesla Supercharger-enabled, which is a major plus.
Equipped With Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist For Semi-Autonomous Driving
You will get the Nissan ProPILOT Assist semi-autonomous driving assistance 1 or 2, depending on the trim you choose. The technology is designed to be used on highways in single-lane traffic. It uses advanced image-processing technology, such as cameras and radar, to assess traffic conditions and prompt the car to respond by steering, accelerating, and braking automatically. Although ProPILOT, along with all other driver-assist technologies, is not hands-free, watch-a-movie autonomous, it does go a long way to ease the driver’s workload in heavy highway traffic and long commutes.
The Nissan ProPILOT 1 or 2 comes standard with the Ayiya, while the Tesla self-driving technology at the moment costs an additional $8,000 or a $99/month subscription. Despite its name, the Tesla system also requires driver supervision. The Nissan Ariya also offers:
Forward emergency braking with pedestrian recognition
Pedestrian rear emergency braking
Cross traffic alert
Driver alertness warning
Blind spot warning
Lane keeping assistance
Forward collision warning
Features A Dual 12.3-Inch Display Setup For Infotainment And Instrumentation
The Nissan Ariya is a pretty well-loaded car, with heated front and rear seats, power driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory functions, leatherette or Napa leather seats, heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, two 12.3-inch screens, one for infotainment and the other for instruments. It has the full Apple/Android vibe, can handle SiriusXM, and the sound system can range from pretty good to 10-speaker Bose awesome, depending on the trim.
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Practical And Spacious Design
Nissan
The Nissan Ariya interior is uncluttered and modern-looking, with a simple cockpit dominated by two large screens. There is a large console between the front seats that offers storage and wireless charging, and the smart rearview mirror can change from a normal mirror to a camera view at a touch.
Offers A Stylish Cabin With Ample Legroom And Cargo Space
The front seats offer 42 inches of legroom, while the rear has 37. The back seat can split 60/40 for better cargo versatility, though the cargo area behind the rear seats sits at 22.8 cubic feet. The dashboard and center console have touch-sensitive controls, which actually work well because they give a buzzing vibration when activated. A power-adjustable steering wheel is also a bonus on a vehicle at this price point.
Sleek Exterior Design With Aerodynamic Efficiency
The Nissan Ariya is a handsome car with an aggressive front face, and a sleek roofline that blends with the rear windscreen and pronounced aerodynamic lip over the tail-lights. The 19-inch wheels give the car a balanced look and contribute to the perception of contained compactness. The Ariya has a drag coefficient of only 0.297, the lowest yet of any Nissan crossover. Aerodynamic efficiency is vital to maximizing an EV’s range, and the Aryia achieves this low drag through its smooth shape, the way air ducts are positioned, and the flat underside of the car, a feature only found in electric vehicles.
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Competitive Pricing To Tesla
At the moment, it appears as if the only Tesla Model Y available is the AWD Long Range. On the website, Tesla has the starting price for this as $41,490, but this takes into account the $7,500 Tax Incentive Credit, as well as the EPA-estimated $6,000 driving this car will save over five years. So, if you were to add the $7,500 and $6,000 to the $41,490, you get a price of $54,990.
Edmunds, a trusted voice in the U.S. auto industry, gives the Tesla Model Y a price range of $48,990 to $59,990. None of these prices is an official MSRP as supplied by most other manufacturers. Given the current uncertainty around car prices and tariffs, we will have to accept these prices as guidelines, with the proviso that they may change.
Nissan Ariya’s Currently-Listed MSRP
Nissan, with its Ariya, is probably in the same boat as Tesla when it comes to price uncertainty, but for now does list the MSRP of its four trim levels on the website.
Engage FWD
$39,770
Evolve+ FWD
$44,370
Engage+ AWD
$45,370
Platinum+ AWD
$54,370
Federal And State EV Incentives
The Nissan Ariya is not eligible for the $7,500 tax credit, as the vehicle is currently assembled in Japan. There may be state incentives, depending on where you purchase the car. You should also look at the official Nissan website to see which financing deals are currently being offered.
AloJapan.com