Nissan Unveils Ariya Crossover its First new all-Electric Vehicle Valued at $40,000

After pushing electric vehicles (EVs) for years with its sensible-but-limited Leaf, Nissan Motors unveiled its first new all-electric crossover called Ariya early Wednesday as part of a four-year business turnaround plan to achieve sustainable growth, financial stability and profitability for the embattled Japanese automaker. With sharp looks that stay close to last year’s concept vehicle, the large crossover promises 0-60 MPH in under 5 seconds, which execs said is on par with their Z sports car.

The vehicle is one of 12 new or redesigned models Nissan has promised to release through 2021 under its “Nissan Next” plan. It is the first all-electric vehicle to debut since the strategy was announced in May. “Ariya is Nissan’s next chapter in physical form,” Nissan Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta said during a virtual roundtable. “It is a catalyst of change in our product thinking.”

The restructuring, which goes through early-2024, includes cutting billions in fixed costs, axing several vehicle nameplates and closing or realigning production plants following the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi Alliance’s ouster of longtime leader Carlos Ghosn, now an international fugitive.

The plan was announced as the company posted its first annual loss in 11 years. The coronavirus pandemic added to troubling times as the company was still attempting to recover from the ongoing scandal surrounding its former leader.

Gupta described the global pandemic as an “unprecedented” crisis for Nissan, however, he said, the company also has learned new, more efficient ways of working, including online sales in the U.S. “We do believe Covid-19 on one side has been a great challenge for us, but, on the other side, it has taught us a new way of working and a new way of selling,” he said.

It will come in single motor FWD (215 HP) and dual-motor “e-4ORCE” AWD (389 HP) versions, and include Nissan’s e-Pedal feature that allows drivers to accelerate, slow down and brake all using a single pedal. There’s also two different battery options, with an 63kWh battery and an optional 87kWh battery — in the single-motor, 2WD version it should be capable of up to 300 miles of range on a charge. As Autoblog notes, opting for the extra motor will cut down its range, and slightly reduce interior cargo space, going from 16.5 cubic feet to 14.6.

Inside, designers claim this crossover is more like a lounge than a traditional vehicle cabin. It has a voice recognition system to control the features, and supports over-the-air updates. Tech features range from its ProPilot 2.0 driver assists to integration with smart home technology, built-in Amazon Alexa and, of course, support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And according to Nissan’s press materials, the Ariya will go on sale in Japan in mid-2021, with debuts in the US and Canada later next year.