Nissan Ariya 87 kWh FWD

Overview

The 2025 Nissan Ariya 87 kWh FWD stakes its claim in the competitive electric SUV market, blending futuristic Japanese design with practical family motoring. This front-wheel-drive variant prioritizes range and efficiency, offering a compelling package for those not needing all-wheel-drive grip. Key highlights include its spacious, lounge-like interior and smooth power delivery. In Europe, expect new prices around €53,490, with used examples appearing near €39,898. It’s a stylish and comfortable cruiser ready for daily duties and longer jaunts.

What's New for 2025?

For the 2025 model year, the Nissan Ariya 87 kWh FWD largely carries over its successful formula, with major changes not anticipated for the European market. Expect the same refined powertrain and distinctive styling that debuted with the model. Potential updates might include minor software enhancements to the infotainment system or slight adjustments to standard equipment levels across trims. However, the core offering—a comfortable, long-range electric SUV—remains Nissan's focus for this iteration, keeping it fresh against new rivals.

Design & Exterior

The Ariya 87 kWh FWD boasts Nissan's "Timeless Japanese Futurism" design, turning heads with its sleek, coupe-like SUV profile and signature V-motion grille, now reimagined as an illuminated "shield". Slim LED headlights give it a sharp gaze. This trim features stylish alloy wheels, enhancing its premium stance. Its dimensions are substantial yet elegant: 4595 mm in length, 1850 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1660 mm tall. The flowing lines and clean surfaces contribute to its aerodynamic efficiency and modern appeal, making it a standout on European roads.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the Ariya 87 kWh FWD, and you're greeted by a minimalist, lounge-like cabin with high-quality materials and a distinctly Japanese "Kumiko" patterned ambient lighting. Passenger space is generous, especially with the flat floor. For your gear, there's a practical 466-litre boot, expanding to a cavernous 1350 litres with the rear seats folded. While there's no frunk as per the provided data, the cabin's clever storage helps. Dominating the dash are dual 12.3-inch screens for instruments and infotainment, complete with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Nissan's latest connectivity features.

Performance & Driving Experience

The Ariya 87 kWh FWD delivers a smooth and responsive drive, perfect for daily commutes and relaxed cruising. Its single EESM electric motor sends 178 kW and a healthy 300 Nm of torque to the front wheels, enabling a respectable 0-100 km/h dash in 7.6 seconds. While not a speed demon, power delivery is instant and linear. The ride is generally comfortable, soaking up bumps well, and Nissan's e-Pedal Step allows for easy one-pedal driving. Braking is confident, blending regenerative and friction systems seamlessly.

Range, Battery & Charging

This Ariya packs an 87 kWh usable battery, offering a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of around 462 km – plenty for most journeys. Its efficiency is rated at a decent 5.31 km/kWh. For charging, it’s impressively equipped with a standard 22 kW AC on-board charger, meaning a full top-up at home or a public AC point can take around 4-5 hours. On the go, it supports DC fast charging up to 130 kW via its CCS Type 2 port, allowing for significant range boosts in about 30-35 minutes (e.g., 10-80%).

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is a strong suit for the Ariya, backed by a reassuring 5-star Euro NCAP rating. The 87 kWh FWD trim typically comes well-equipped with Nissan's ProPILOT Assist suite. This often includes intelligent adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and traffic jam pilot as standard. Further peace of mind comes from features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree Around View Monitor, many of which are standard, making it a secure choice for families on European roads.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Nissan typically backs the Ariya in Europe with a comprehensive warranty package. Expect a general vehicle warranty of 3 years or 100,000 km, potentially extending to 5 years in some markets. Crucially, the EV-specific components, including the powertrain and the 87 kWh battery, are usually covered for 5 years/100,000 km and 8 years/160,000 km respectively, with a guarantee against significant capacity loss. Maintenance is minimal, as with most EVs, focusing on tyres, brakes, and coolant checks, contributing to lower running costs.