Nissan Ariya Vs Tesla Model Y Which One Wins?

Key Points

• The Nissan Ariya has 238 horsepower and a range of 289 miles, while the Tesla Model Y boasts 384 horsepower and a 291-mile range.
• The Ariya takes 5 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, while the Model Y achieves it in 3.6 seconds.
• The Model Y can gain up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes using Tesla’s Supercharger network.

The Nissan Ariya is looking to be one of the more promising fully electric SUVs today. It may not be as powerful as some other offerings on the market, but it has a spacious interior and luxurious drive. The Tesla Model Y has been one of the most popular electric SUVs since its introduction. One thing is sure; you can choose an electric vehicle that works for them.

With all this in mind, how does the Ariya stack up against the Tesla Model Y? Nissan’s all-electric SUV is a relative newcomer compared to the staying power of Tesla. You’ll want to explore your options if you’re in the market for a new EV. Nissan’s latest EV looks to be a great buy, but it’ll have to test its mettle against a proven option in the Model Y. Let’s look and see which of these vehicles is the best choice for your needs.

Nissan Ariya vs Tesla Model Y: Side-by-Side Comparison

These two vehicles occupy a similar niche and price range, but you can see some subtle differences. The Tesla Model Y edges out the Ariya in terms of capacity.

Nissan Ariya vs Tesla Model Y: What’s the Difference?

Both vehicles are fully electric SUVs in a very contentious space. The Ariya is new to the market and was prepared for Nissan for the 2023 production year. The Model Y has been the EV to beat in the SUV space since its introduction.

Performance

The Nissan Ariya is very much in the middle of the road for performance as an SUV. The acceleration isn’t swift, but the 238 horsepower is good enough for highway use. You won’t be setting record-breaking lap times, but you’ll find it handles well when merging. One common complaint is its slower acceleration, amplified compared to the Tesla Model Y. It should be fine for daily use. Still, you’ll want to be cautious when merging, especially considering the 5 seconds it takes for the vehicle to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.

The Model Y has been a gold standard for performance in this space. It might lack the pep of its more expensive sibling in the Model X, but this 384 horsepower machine makes for a rather swift vehicle. The Model Y is quick on its toes, going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds. If power is a concern, then the Model Y is an exemplar in this comparison. Despite being in the same price range, the all-wheel drive train has better handling overall than the Ariya.

Fuel Efficiency

The Nissan Ariya offers a competitive 289 miles of operational range on a full battery. However, its power delivery is slightly less efficient than the Model Y. Testing found a combined 90 miles per gallon equivalent for combined use. It is leagues ahead of most gasoline-powered cars but is average for an EV. It charges quickly enough, at 99 kilowatts, when using a Direct Current Fast Charging station. When at a charging station, you’ll find yourself waiting around for up to 40 minutes if your battery is low.

The Model Y offers up to 291 miles of operational range, which is very competitive. It is more efficient with its power delivery, however. This could be in part thanks to being an overall more aerodynamic vehicle. DCFC rates don’t apply to the Model Y, as you’ll likely be taking advantage of the Supercharger network from Tesla. You can get up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes, which is astounding. The Model Y has an edge in overall efficiency, thanks in part to the maturity and refinements afforded to the platform.

Electronics

The Nissan Ariya features a pair of 12.3-inch digital displays. One serves as the instrument cluster and comfortably sits behind the steering wheel. The other display is the infotainment console which has built-in navigation support. Users also have the option of using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Nissan has natively packaged Amazon’s Alexa into the vehicle’s operating system and proprietary digital assistant. Compatible smartphones can benefit from wireless charging onboard the vehicle as well.

The Tesla Model Y has the same futuristic center infotainment panel as the rest of the product line. You’ll find the infotainment panel functions as more than just the central hub for the vehicle. Passengers can stream movies, play games, and perform various other functions. You’ll find the requisite Apple CarPlay and Android Autio support here. Wireless charging isn’t included with the 2023 Model Y, but Tesla is due to refresh the product line in the next year or so. As such, it might just be a matter of time before it’s included in the base package.

Safety Features

The Nissan Ariya features a fairly robust safety package. Nissan has packed ProPilot 2.0 into the Ariya’s safety features as an optional selection. This allows for hands-free driving in certain situations, like cruising on the highway. You’ll also find automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Lane departure warning systems and a lane-keep assist are present, as is the norm. ProPilot 2.0 also allows for adaptive cruise control but is not a fully automated platform.

The Tesla Model Y features the semi-autonomous AutoPilot system, its optional means of providing safe highway driving with minimal user intervention. As with the Nissan, you’ll find automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection. There are also lane departure warning systems and a lane-keep assist. If you forego AutoPilot, you can still access the adaptive cruise control feature.

Warranty Information

The Nissan Ariya comes with the same general warranty you could expect from the Leaf. You have a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty. The powertrain gets five years of coverage or 60,000 miles. Nissan also has a warranty for the battery, covering up to eight years or 100,000 miles. As with the Leaf, there is no provision for complementary scheduled maintenance.

The Model Y also has no complimentary scheduled maintenance. The powertrain coverage is eight years or 100,000 miles. Tesla’s limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles. Tesla’s warranty coverage for the powertrain is exemplary and very much in line with other offerings on the market. That said, it isn’t an ideal warranty.

Nissan Ariya vs Tesla Model Y: Must-Know Facts

• Nissan Ariya is Nissan’s first electric SUV.
• Nissan Ariya is new for the 2023 production year.
• Nissan Ariya has an 87 kWh battery pack with up to 322 miles of range.
• Tesla Model is the world’s best-selling electric SUV.
• Tesla Model Y comes in Long Range and Performance configurations.
• Model Y is the best-selling electric SUV on the market.

Nissan Ariya vs Tesla Model Y: Which One is Better? Which Should You Choose?

Competition is always a wonderful thing, but the Nissan Ariya stumbles at the finish line next to the Model Y. Maybe future revisions of the Ariya could address concerns about its efficiency and acceleration. Given the steep price, especially next to a fully-kitted Model Y, it is hard to recommend this EV. The Model Y is still an excellent choice for an EV and demonstrates why Tesla has been on top of the game for years.

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