Australian automotive news & analysis

Sunday, 11 October 2026

Vehicle reviews · First generation (FE0)

Nissan Ariya

Research-based vehicle guides, with specifications, manufacturer context and attributed independent opinions.

The vehicle in view

Market
AU
Model year
2025
Grade
Advance+
Generation
First generation (FE0)
Powertrain
BEV
Drivetrain
FWD
Seats
5
Body class
Medium SUV
Build coverage starts
2025-07

The DriveAgent guide

Our assessment

DriveAgent research synthesis, not a first-hand road test. Driving impressions are attributed to their original reviewers; manufacturer claims and overseas observations are identified separately.

The Australian grade in context

Advance+ combines an 87 kWh usable battery with a 178 kW front-wheel-drive powertrain. Nissan declares 504 km of combined WLTP range. That makes range and charging arrangements useful starting points for assessing this grade; the laboratory figure is not a promise for an individual journey.

Sources: Electric range ↗

What Nissan says

Nissan’s Australian model page highlights a head-up display, panoramic roof and ventilated front seats for Advance+. These are manufacturer equipment descriptions, rather than independent findings about comfort or usability.

Sources: Manufacturer: Nissan Australia ↗

Driving impressions from local reviewers

RACV’s Terry Martin describes a quiet, comfortable Advance+ and capable front-wheel-drive handling. Shana Zlotin at carsales also praises light steering and highway refinement. DriveAgent’s reading is that comfort deserves attention during a test drive; these are the named reviewers’ observations, not findings from our own drive.

Sources: RACV ↗ · carsales ↗

Cabin usability deserves a personal check

Zlotin raises concerns about the haptic climate controls and available headroom. When inspecting the car, try the controls and seating position for yourself. A comfortable ride and an easy-to-use cabin are separate considerations.

Sources: carsales ↗

Charging: check the fitted hardware

Nissan’s specification sheet lists 130 kW peak DC charging and approximately 40 minutes for 10–80% at a suitable 130 kW charger. Advance+ has 7.4 kW single-phase AC charging as standard, with 22 kW three-phase hardware optional. Confirm the individual car’s charger and your installation before using the higher figure in a charging plan.

Sources: Maximum AC charging ↗

Safety rating and build scope

The five-star ANCAP rating shown here has a 2022 rating year. Its Australian applicability starts with vehicles built from July 2025, and the recorded expiry is December 2028. Check the individual vehicle’s build date against that scope. The separate category percentages are not a DriveAgent score.

Sources: ANCAP safety rating ↗ · ANCAP safety rating ↗

A second perspective from overseas

Top Gear’s overseas assessment distinguishes a composed response to undulations from discomfort over sharper road damage. Car and Driver praises the cabin and ride but is less enthusiastic about the driving experience. Their market specifications and tested grades differ or are unspecified; use these opinions as context, not Australian equipment evidence.

Sources: Top Gear (GB opinion) ↗ · Car and Driver (US opinion) ↗

The DriveAgent assessment

Advance+ is worth assessing through the combination of its declared range and the local reviewers’ comfort observations. Check seating and control usability as carefully as charging compatibility. This guide supports a shortlist and test-drive questions; it does not replace a drive or a current written quote.

Sources: Maximum AC charging ↗ · RACV ↗ · carsales ↗

What the reviewers say

AU · Advance+

Ratings and findings belong to the publisher shown. Summaries preserve individual observations, including disagreement; they are not DriveAgent road-test impressions. Different scoring methods and test types are not directly interchangeable.

AU · en

RACV

No rating displayed

DriveAgent summaries of RACV’s review

  • Comfort and refinement · strength

    Terry Martin’s RACV assessment characterises the Advance+ as quiet and comfortable.

    Summary checked 5 Oct 2026
  • Driving and performance · observation

    RACV regards the Advance+’s front-wheel-drive handling as capable.

    Summary checked 5 Oct 2026
Review type
First drive
Author
Terry Martin
Vehicle market
AU
Test location
AU
Test date
Not recorded
Published
9 Sep 2025
Review language
en
Read the original review at RACV (opens in a new tab) ↗

AU · en

carsales

No rating displayed

DriveAgent summaries of carsales’s review

  • Comfort and refinement · strength

    Shana Zlotin’s carsales review praises light steering and highway refinement.

    Summary checked 5 Oct 2026
  • Interior and technology · limitation

    Zlotin questions the haptic climate controls and reports restricted headroom.

    Summary checked 5 Oct 2026
Review type
First drive
Author
Shana Zlotin
Vehicle market
AU
Test location
AU
Test date
Not recorded
Published
9 Sep 2025
Review language
en
Read the original review at carsales (opens in a new tab) ↗

Reviews from other markets

2 reviews

Different markets, different opinions on the same model and generation. Each review identifies the vehicle tested and known differences. These findings do not establish Australian specifications, pricing or ANCAP results and are not included in the Australian review count.

GB · en

Top Gear

Overseas opinion

Tested vehicle · GB

Model year not specified nissan ariya Grade not specified · First generation (FE0) · BEV · Drivetrain not specified

UK range review covering multiple powertrains. The finding concerns the standard Ariya, excluding the separate Nismo assessment. Tested grade and model year are not established; do not transfer UK equipment, towing or pricing to the Australian Advance+.

DriveAgent summaries of Top Gear’s review

  • Comfort and refinement · observation

    Top Gear finds the Ariya handles undulating surfaces well but reacts less comfortably to sharp ridges and potholes.

    Summary checked 5 Oct 2026
Review type
Road test
Author
Top Gear Team
Vehicle market
GB
Test location
Not recorded
Test date
Not recorded
Published
3 Jun 2025
Review language
en
Read the original review at Top Gear (opens in a new tab) ↗

US · en

Car and Driver

Overseas opinion

Tested vehicle · US

2025 nissan ariya Grade not specified · First generation (FE0) · BEV · Drivetrain not specified

US 2025 model overview includes multiple trims and earlier tests. A single tested grade, test date and underlying test are unresolved. The URL’s 2019 original timestamp does not establish the date of this 2025-model assessment. US equipment, EPA range and pricing do not establish Australian specifications.

DriveAgent summaries of Car and Driver’s review

  • Comfort and refinement · observation

    Car and Driver praises cabin presentation and ride comfort, while finding the driving experience less appealing.

    Summary checked 5 Oct 2026
Review type
Road test
Author
Kristin Shaw
Vehicle market
US
Test location
Not recorded
Test date
Not recorded
Published
24 Oct 2019
Updated
29 Sep 2026
Review language
en
Read the original review at Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) ↗

What the manufacturer says

Nissan Australia · Australian model page

Manufacturer claims, summarised by DriveAgent. Independent reviewer findings are presented separately.

Nissan highlights the Advance+’s head-up display, panoramic roof and ventilated front seats.

Visit the official model page (opens in a new tab) ↗

Checked 5 October 2026.

Specifications

Verified specifications

For the selected vehicle and build scope. Values retain their original measurement basis; this is not a complete specification sheet.

Usable battery capacity
87 kWh

usable

Australian specification sheet updated August 2025.

System power
178 kW

system peak

Australian specification sheet updated August 2025.

Electric range
504 km

WLTP declared

Manufacturer WLTP comparison figure; real-world range varies.

Peak DC charging
130 kW

manufacturer peak

Australian specification sheet updated August 2025.

10–80% charging
40 min

manufacturer 10 80

Manufacturer approximation at a suitable 130 kW DC charger; actual charging varies.

Maximum AC charging
7.4 kW

single phase

Standard charger; 22 kW three-phase charger is optional.

Safety · ANCAP

5 / 5 stars · 2022 rating

Australian FE0 variants built from July 2025; ANCAP rating year 2022, expires December 2028. January 2024 build applicability in the web summary relates to New Zealand.

Official build coverage starts
July 2025
Official build coverage ends
Ongoing, within rating validity
Rating validity for new builds
Through December 2028
Adult occupant protection
86%
Child occupant protection
89%
Vulnerable road users
74%
Safety assist
95%

Ratings use the criteria of their rating year. Stars are not a DriveAgent review score.

Launch history · AU

Dates describe the event for this grade, not when this review was published. Month-only dates retain their original precision.

  1. 29 July 2025

    Orders open · New model

    View event source (opens in a new tab) ↗
  2. September 2025

    On sale · New model

    View event source (opens in a new tab) ↗

Model evidence approved 7 October 2026 · Source publication and test dates are shown separately.