Which Is The Better Electric SUV?

The Nissan Ariya is an all-new electric SUV for the 2023 model year. It joins a growing list of current and future Tesla Model Y rivals. So, how does the Ariya stack up to the most popular EV in the States?

Not long ago, you couldn’t even buy an electric SUV on our shores, aside from the expensive Tesla Model X. However, since the Model Y arrived in March of 2020, several electric SUVs have been revealed, and a few have already come to market, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4.

Nissan hasn’t launched an electric model since the aging Leaf. Its upcoming Ariya crossover, which can already be reserved on Nissan’s website, sports an attractive design, roomy accommodations, upscale materials, and a reasonable starting price. According to Nissan, deliveries of the Ariya will begin in the Fall of 2022, though it also notes that reservations may exceed production, so delivery timelines cannot be guaranteed.

In yet another of his signature EV comparisons, Cleanerwatt pits the Ariya against the Tesla Model Y. Let’s take a look at how they compare in categories that are important to electric car shoppers.

The Ariya is about the size of the Nissan Rogue, though not quite as big as the Model Y. The Ariya starts at around $46,000, though the trim that’s comparable to the base Model Y Long Range is priced much like the Tesla. However, the $58,950 Ariya Platinum+ AWD has an estimated range of just 265 miles compared to the Model Y Long Range’s 330-mile range.

The Nissan has a sleek exterior that would appear at home with many of today’s gas-powered SUVs. However, inside, it’s much more like the Model Y, with its minimalist and futuristic design cues, as well as multiple screens. The Ariya comes with seating for five people in two rows, which is the same as the standard Model Y, though the Tesla can be upgraded to a three-row model. That said, the third row is cramped.