Nissan Ariya 87 kWh in winter conditions

10 degrees below zero and winter conditions caused no problems for the Nissan Ariya, but be aware of reduced range and that fast charging may require more time.

 

When Nissan launched the Ariya, I thought it would be the successor to the Leaf despite being significantly larger. But now the Leaf has been updated, and it has the same platform as the Ariya. Ampr MediumThe platform has been developed in collaboration with Renault and is of the SUV/crossover type for high-rise car models. Both the Ariya and Leaf have an SUV shape with a rounded coupe-like glass body. A shape we have become accustomed to from several car manufacturers.
 
The Ariya's rounded roof is a good attempt to create the impression of a hatchback coupe. The sloping front end also helps to give the car a passenger car feel. Inside the car, I noticed that the windshield wipers are short, almost as if the roof was "chopped." It's clear that Nissan has wanted to do away with the boxy shape that many electric cars have.
 

The first impression

The overview from the driver's seat is good. There is plenty of space inside, both in width and length. The luggage compartment holds 468 liters of luggage. That's a little more than in Toyota BZ4X, but less than in Volkswagen ID.4 og ID.5. There is no frunk, but a small space under the trunk where the charging cable can lie without getting pinched. You can load straight in without any loading edge. With 2 Isofix mounts in the back seat, the car is well suited as a family car or for grandparents with grandchildren.
 

 
It's easy to find your way around the steering wheel. Most things are where I expected to find them. The climate and volume on the radio can be easily adjusted with clear, illuminated buttons. Two screens control the functionality. The screen on the driver's side is controlled by buttons on the steering wheel, while the center screen is a pure touch screen. In front of the armrest you will find a smart gear selector, as well as touch buttons for selecting the driving program and e-Pedal. I chose the “Standard” and “e-Pedal” driving programs. Nissan's e-Pedal is absolutely great!
 
It took me a while to find the handbrake. It is located on the underside of the dashboard and is a small lever that operates the electromechanical handbrake.
 
I found a good seating position with stepless electric adjustment. When I first got in, I thought the seat cushion might be a bit short (I'm 1.88 meters tall), but after driving for a while, I didn't think much of it.
 

 

Comfort vs. sportiness

Personally, I prefer sporty features over comfort. In my opinion, the Nissan Ariya is primarily set up for comfort, but not in such a way that it becomes boring to drive. One can drive quite actively with it. When I drove Renault Scenic E-Tech, I commented that the car was very stable in the corners, but that the steering did not convey anything from the wheels. The Ariya and Renault share a platform, and I give them both a good grade for the chassis. But the Ariya delivered better steering feel where it is possible to sense small wheel slippage and rough road surfaces through the steering wheel.
 
“Our” Nissan Ariya drives the front wheels. Many electric cars with 2WD are rear-wheel drive. I think most people will feel that front-wheel drive is safer. You can get the Ariya with 4WD e-4ORCE, but it is only available in the highest trim levels for a significant price premium. Unfortunately, it is equipment level that drives up prices – not 4-wheel drive.
 

Increased consumption

Winter weather doesn't just make demands on the cars' driving characteristics. It can also make life with electric cars difficult. I noticed it already on the way up the newly opened E16 below Sollihøgda. The battery percentage dropped dangerously quickly. The temperature was -10 degrees and the rental car, which is parked outdoors all day, consumed around 35 kWh/100km (double the stated consumption). It also didn't seem like the cooled battery was accepting regenerative charging on the way down towards Sundvollen. The stated consumption is 18.1 to 18.4 kWh/100km. My average consumption that day ended up at 21.5 kWh/100km, which would have given a winter range of 405 km. The stated range is 536 km.
 
The range is less affected by cold if you start driving from a warm garage or with a preheated car and battery.

Fast charging

Charging is another problem in the winter cold. If you are going to fast charge, it is important to preheat the batteries. Ariya has a function where you can turn on preheating. It should be activated at least 20-30 minutes before charging. On the way home, I stopped at Sundvollen to set the destination to refill at Høvik. Under electrical settings I found an option that said “Battery heater” followed by “On” – and thought everything was fine. But the preheating never started, because the preheating also has to be activated in another screen (swipe all the way to the end). The option that I had seen was that the preheating was “enabled” – not activated. When the preheating is activated, the option “On” should be lit.
 
If you are losing power quickly and are unsure whether you will reach the charging station, do not preheat the batteries. Preheating steals power. In that case, it is better to arrive safely and accept slower charging.
 

 
I felt quite let down when I stood in front of a 135 kW Recharge charger and started charging at just 21 kW. That was all the car would accept with cold batteries. Fortunately, the batteries warm up during charging, so the charging speed increased gradually. Under ideal conditions, the batteries should be able to take 130 kW, but that is unlikely to happen with freezing temperatures in the air.
 

Buying guide

When choosing a model, there are two important choices you have to make: battery size and 4-wheel drive.
 
The Ariya is available with a 63 kWh or 87 kWh (net capacity) battery. The smaller battery has a stated range of 404 km, while the larger one can provide 536 km. The larger battery adds 148 kg to the weight and a price increase of NOK 59.200 from the base price of NOK 382.500. There is also a slight increase in engine power, but the two options provide equally good performance in practice.
 
I find that real ranges under normal conditions are ⅘ of the stated range. That is the range you should be concerned with. Life with an electric car becomes easier with a long range.
 
4-wheel drive is only available in variants with the large battery – and from equipment level EvolveGiven that this level of equipment has been chosen, the price supplement for 4-wheel drive is “only” 27.200 kroner. In relation to “our” level of equipment – Engage – the most affordable car with 4-wheel drive would cost 133.000 more.
 

Coming in a new edition

So far, 11.283 Nissan Ariyas have been registered in Norway. Nissan has also had tremendous success with the Leaf models worldwide. The prices of the new Leaf are in the same price range as the larger Ariya – so close that the Leaf and Ariya are currently competitors. But Nissan has already shown a facelifted Ariya for 2026 that has several similarities to the Leaf, including in the front. With the new Ariya, the price difference will likely be greater.

Facts Nissan Ariya Engage 87kWh

Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 460 x 185 x 166 cm
Wheelbase: 278 cm
Net weight: 2065 kg (without driver)
Payload: 390 kg
Number of seats: 5
Max trailer weight w/brakes: 750 kg
– without brakes: 750 kg
Roof load: –
 
Drivetrain
Engine: Electric located at the front
Power: 242 HP
Torque: 300 Nm
Gearbox: 1-speed automatic
Front wheel drive
 
Performances
Top speed: 160 km/h
0-100: 7.6 seconds
 
Battery pack
Manufacturer: CATL
Type: Lithium-ion NMC (prismatic cells)
Total capacity: 91 kWh
Total capacity for use: 87 kWh
Heat pump
Preheating
 
Range and consumption
WLTP: 536 km (combined)
Measured: 405 km (-10 from cold start)
Stated consumption WLTP: 18.1 – 18.4 kWh/100km
Real consumption test: 21.5 kWh/100km (-10 degrees)
 
Cargo
Contacts: Type2 and CSS
On-board charger: 22kW
Charging time CSS, 130kW, 20-80%: 45 min.
Preheating of the batteries: Yes
 
Luggage compartment
As 5-seater: 468 litres
As 2-seater: 1350 litres
 
Tires
Dimension: 235/55 R19 105T XL
Type: Winter tires without studs
Brand: Continental Vikingcontact 8
 
Prices
Price: 461.700,- (87 kWh, Engage, paint surcharge)
 
About the car
Place of production: Tochigi, Japan
Color: Ceramic Grey
Equipment level: Engage
Owner: Birger N. Haug Car Rental AS
Model: 2025
Mileage: 11000
Source: Nissan.no, Vegvesen.no
 

 

Did you notice the text on the side of the car? Getaround (formerly Nabobil) is a platform where private individuals can rent out their cars to private individuals. The app has become very good. You can rent and unlock the car with your mobile phone. Many cars have permanent parking in Oslo.

See

Nissan.no