Nissan Ariya 87 kWh FWD

Overview

The 2025 Nissan Ariya, particularly in this 87 kWh FWD guise, positions itself as a sleek and tech-laden electric SUV for the modern family. It’s gunning for rivals with its blend of Japanese futuristic design and a genuinely premium-feeling cabin. Key highlights for this front-wheel-drive champ include its largest battery option, promising a solid balance of range and efficiency. With a new price tag around $41,190 according to provided data, and used examples appearing near $19,689, it's aiming to be a compelling package in the bustling EV crossover segment.

What's New for 2025?

For 2025, the Ariya 87 kWh FWD largely carries over its winning formula from the previous model year, meaning you still get that distinctive style and comfortable ride. Nissan has been fine-tuning pricing across the Ariya lineup to sharpen its competitive edge, making this well-equipped EV an even more tempting proposition. While major overhauls aren't on the agenda, expect the continuation of its current feature set, possibly with minor packaging adjustments. The focus remains on delivering a refined electric experience without reinventing the wheel this year.

Design & Exterior

Rocking Nissan's "Timeless Japanese Futurism" design language, the Ariya 87 kWh FWD is a real head-turner. It sports a smooth, coupe-like silhouette with a distinctive illuminated front "shield" instead of a traditional grille. Slim LED headlights and a full-width rear light bar give it a high-tech vibe. This specific trim boasts stylish wheels and clean lines, measuring a neat 180.9 inches in length, 72.8 inches in width (excluding mirrors), and 65.4 inches in height, making it a well-proportioned player in the SUV scene.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the Ariya 87 kWh FWD and you're greeted by a seriously cool, minimalist cabin that feels like a high-tech lounge. Material quality is generally impressive, with soft-touch surfaces and unique haptic controls. Passenger space is generous for five. Tech-wise, you get a sweeping dual-display setup with two 12.3-inch screens for instruments and infotainment, usually packing wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Cargo is plentiful with 22.8 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to a handy 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A frunk isn't part of its trick list, though.

Performance & Driving Experience

The Ariya 87 kWh FWD isn't about neck-snapping launches, but its single EESM motor delivers a respectable punch. With 178 kW (around 238 hp) and 221 lb-ft of torque sent to the front wheels, it scoots from 0-60 mph in a tidy 7.2 seconds, plenty for daily duties. The driving experience is skewed towards comfort and refinement; it’s impressively quiet and smooth over bumps. While not a sports car, handling is confident and composed. Nissan’s e-Step system allows for an intuitive one-pedal driving experience, maximizing regeneration.

Range, Battery & Charging

This Ariya packs a substantial 87 kWh usable battery, good for a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of 287 miles – pretty decent for those longer trips. Efficiency is rated at 3.3 mi/kWh. For charging, the standard 7.2 kW on-board AC charger will juice it up fully overnight (around 12-13 hours). When you hit a DC fast charger, it can slurp power at up to 130 kW via its CCS Type 1 port, meaning a 10-80% top-up can be done in roughly 35-40 minutes. V2L capability isn't offered.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is a strong suit, with the Ariya bagging a top 5-star overall rating from NHTSA. It typically comes loaded with Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. Most 87 kWh FWD trims also feature ProPILOT Assist, Nissan’s advanced system offering adaptive cruise control with lane centering, making highway cruising a doddle. This combination ensures peace of mind on every journey.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Nissan typically backs the Ariya with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Crucially for an EV, the battery is covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles against significant degradation. Unlike some competitors, Nissan doesn't usually offer complimentary maintenance in the US. Reliability for the Ariya is anticipated to be in line with other modern EVs, benefiting from fewer moving parts than a traditional gasoline car. Towing capacity for this FWD model is not specified in the provided data and may be limited.