- Nissan has revealed performance figures for the new Ariya Nismo ahead of sales beginning in January 2025.
- The sportiest version of Nissan’s electric SUV can hit 62 mph (100 kmh) in 5 seconds using a 429 hp, bi-motor drivetrain, compared with 5.1 seconds for an 388 hp Ariya e-40rce.
- Tesla’s AWD Model Y Long Range can also reach 62 mph in 5 seconds, but the Model Y Performance gets there in 3.7 seconds.
Nissan is boosting the appeal of its slow-selling Ariya electric SUV with the help of the go-faster engineers at its Nismo division. And today we learned just how fast the new range-topping Ariya can accelerate, and that it’s barely any quicker than the regular non-Nismo version it’s based on.
The Ariya Nismo comes with a 429 hp (435 PS / 320 kW) dual-motor drivetrain that represents a (small) step up from the 388 hp (394 PS / 290 kW) offered by the previously most powerful model, the e-40rce Evolve+, which shares its 87 kWh battery. And as you’d expect from those power figures, performance is improved, too.
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But it’s not improved as much as you’d expect. Nissan quotes a 5.1-second 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time for the 388 hp e-40rce Evolve+ and 5.0 seconds dead for the 429 hp Nismo. Even the 302 hp (306 PS / 225 kW) Ariya e-40rce Evolve (no +) can get there in 5.7 seconds. Nismo range figures are still TBC but the Evolve+ is rated at 309 miles (498 km).
The Nismo’s acceleration numbers give the impression that Nissan is pitching it at the Tesla Model Y AWD Long Range, rather than the flagship Model Y Performance. While the Nismo’s red detailing, body kit, sports seats, 20-inch Enkei wheels and, of course, Nismo name, suggest it’s equivalent to the Performance, the drag strip numbers say otherwise.
The Model Y LR takes the same 5 seconds to reach 62 mph (4.8 seconds to 60 mph) that the Nismo does, but the Model Y Performance streaks ahead, completing the run in 3.7 seconds (3.5 seconds to 60 mph).
There’s one problem with this theory: price. Nissan hasn’t revealed official prices for the Ariya Nismo, but in the UK the 388 hp Ariya e-40rce Evolve+ already costs £59,025 ($77,300), and though it appears the Nismo will replace the Evolve+ rather than be priced above it, it’s still going to look expensive next to its Tesla rivals. The Model Y Long Range – as quick as the Nismo, remember – only costs £52,990 ($69,400), and the blazing-fast Performance stickers at £59,990 ($78,600).
We don’t doubt that the Nismo package improves more about the Ariya than just its acceleration, but Nissan’s chassis and pricing team are going to have to pull something incredible out of the bag to get buyers to open their wallets – which they’ve so far been reluctant to do with the regular Ariya.
