Another week, another electric crossover aimed at enthusiasts. We head to Japan to try it
Nismo sells 80 per cent of its cars in its Japanese homeland. A stark number on paper, but a thoroughly believable one when you consider its current presence – or lack thereof – in Europe. Rewind a decade and its three-car line-up spanned volume, intrigue and superstar quality. No need to state that the Juke Nismo, 370 Nismo and GT-R Nismo fell respectively under each of those pillars.
Good job it looks the part, then. The standard Ariya is an uncommonly pretty EV from the right angles and the Nissan Motorsport makeover manages to be both subtle and worthwhile. The designers say the aesthetic portrays dual personalities – classy up top, but racier downstairs amongst the splitters and skirts, the red striping representing the boundary in between. The aero bits work, too – downforce is up 40 per cent on a stock Ariya with no impact on its 0.
Reality backs it up. Acceleration from a standstill won’t drop your jaw, but the ‘in-gear’ performance is properly sprightly. The linearity of its performance also betrays a car that’s best driven shy of full commitment, when its relatively supple ride and light but largely feel-free steering result in a car less frantic than the Hyundai.
While this Ariya is a pricier product than that old Juke , a revisit of our 2015 Nismo RS review reveal some parity between the two. “How many Juke Nismo RS customers will know of 400R Skylines and Z-Tune 350Zs? Few, you would imagine,” a younger – but no less tall – Matt Bird said. “Nismo fans probably aren't Juke fans and vice versa.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2025 Nissan Armada teased with 1967 Nissan Patrol ancestorNissan teases the 2025 Armada with its 1967 Nissan Patrol ancestor. The new version could add a Pro-4X trim and much more serious off-road ability.
Read more »
Nissan Ariya Nismo marks performance arm's return to EuropeFlagship SUV is Nismo's first model since 370Z and gets bespoke styling and chassis tweaks
Read more »
Nissan confirms 435hp, 442lb ft for NISMO Ariya'Greater turning and lateral forces than the GT-R NISMO', too
Read more »
2025 Lincoln Nautilus and 2025 Corsair pricedLincoln keeps pricing close on the 2025 Nautilus and 2025 Corsair except for the Reserve trims, which see healthy hikes on both models.
Read more »
The Local Version of Project 2025 Is Already Causing DevastationThe response to Project 2025 must be as dexterous and multifaceted as Project 2025 itself.
Read more »
2025 Nissan Kicks first drive | Car ReviewsAuto123 gets in a first drive of the 2025 Nissan Kicks, bigger and spiffier than before as it grows to fill the role of the departed Qashqai in the Japanes
Read more »