Nissan Ariya - Interior, design and technology

At first glance, the all-electric Nissan Ariya offers plenty of kerb side appeal. Buyers will need to recalibrate their expectations about a Nissan family SUV because we think it outclasses anything else the Japanese manufacturer currently has in its line-up.

The Ariya has a distinctive exterior design (shown to great effect in Akatsuki Copper paint), but it's inside the cabin where buyers will be seriously impressed. The level of perceived quality is excellent, and better than you’ll find in most Volkswagen ID-badged rivals. 

It’s a straightforward choice in terms of equipment levels; the entry-level Engage model is flush with useful kit and technology, but the mid-range Advance adds luxuries like wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera system, an electric tailgate, plus heated front seats and steering wheel, along with a heated windscreen. 

If you step up to Evolve trim, you get all these features, along with adaptive high beam headlights, ventilated front and heated rear seats, Nissan's ProPilot Park system, and the electric sliding centre console, among other luxuries. Upgrading to Evolve spec over Advance costs around £4,000, though, so we’d save some money and stick with the regular Advance trim.

There are also a few option packs you can add, such as an openable panoramic sunroof as part of the ‘Sky Pack’, as well as the ‘Tech Pack’, which includes a 10-speaker Bose sound system, head-up display, and digital rear-view mirror. The Sport Pack gives you 20-inch wheels and the very fetching Blue Nappa leather seats for just under £2,000.

What is the Nissan Ariya like inside?

The Nissan Ariya’s cabin is probably its biggest strength. The wood-effect trim combines well with the premium-feeling upholstery, while the ambient lighting — inspired by traditional Japanese lanterns — is a smart touch.

Instead of traditional dials to operate the heating and ventilation functions, Nissan has used a series of haptic controls set into the dash below the 12.3-inch infotainment screen. They work surprisingly well and add to the cool interior design theme. 

What is the interior quality like?

Build quality is more than up to scratch, and the Ariya feels well built and sturdy. It’s good enough to compete with premium badged models and a lot better than you might expect from Nissan. The higher spec cars add some high-end trim materials, including swathes of Alcantara on the dash and doors, with the Blue Nappa leather seats of the Sport Pack being a particular highlight.

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Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

Although the twin 12.3-inch displays are large, the resolution isn’t as high as we’d like, so the data displayed isn’t as sharp as you’ll find with rivals such as the Genesis GV60. 

We’re reasonably impressed by the screen’s speed when responding to touches, while loading times, in general, are competitive with systems from rivals such as Volkswagen, but the experience is not as slick as you get with the Google-based technology used in the Renault Scenic. 

There are some small icons on the screen that can be difficult to press on the move, but the menu system is broadly logical and easy to operate. 

Some may prefer the map display which is very clear, without any fussy, unnecessary details cluttering it. The system can also select the most energy-efficient route and suggest charging stops along your journey, plus a function to pre-condition the battery before you arrive for the most effective recharging.

Of course, there’s the added benefit of standard wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity if you want to run navigation or audio apps directly from your phone. Entry-level Engage does without wireless phone charging, but this can be added as part of the Technology Pack. Mid-range Advance gets this as standard.

A basic six-speaker sound system is standard, with the option to upgrade to a 10-speaker Bose sound system if you add the Technology pack to a mid-range Advance trim.