10 Best Features of the 2023 Nissan Ariya e-4orce AWD

The Nissan Ariya e-4orce AWD is new to the lineup, joining the existing front-wheel-drive version of this all-electric crossover. While all-wheel drive might not be a priority for those who live where winter weather isn’t a threat, anyone who lives where it snows often puts this at the top of the list of must-haves. It’s not simply a matter of winter weather, either, but of improved handling all the time.

If the roads are wet from rain or morning dew, if there’s sand, or if there’s oil from other cars on the road surface, then all-wheel drive will help you maintain control of your vehicle. It also improves handling when taking corners at speed, which makes for a more confident driving experience. Here are the 10 best features of the 2023 Nissan Ariya e-4orce AWD.

The biggest reason to get this version of the Ariya is its all-wheel drive system. This is a dual-motor setup that manages power and braking to provide a smooth, refined drive experience for passenger and driver alike. The system checks for grip and then balances torque front to back by applying torque to the wheels with the best grip. Whether it’s an icy road during the winter or simply while trying to maneuver through heavy traffic at highway speeds, all-wheel drive helps you stay in control.

It also controls brake force from left to right, which further enhances grip. The net result is an electric vehicle that’s well-mannered and stable, inspiring confidence in the corners rather than rattling your nerves. And since the dual-motor system uses regenerative braking at both axles, it’s smoother than front-wheel drive models, which have regenerative braking only at the front axle.

The number of charging stations across the country is growing, and charging speeds are getting faster. This makes it easier to plan longer drives and reduces overall wait time for a vehicle to charge. Still, no one wants to spend more time charging than they have to when they’re on a road trip. The all-wheel-drive Ariya is offered with both a standard and extended range battery so you can get the range you need for however you drive.

The base Engage trim is available with a standard range battery good for 205 miles per charge. The rest of the lineup has an extended range battery. It delivers 272 miles per charge in the Engage+ and Evolve+ trims, with a slight drop to 267 miles in the top Platinum+ trim. No matter which you choose, it’s easily enough to get you through a typical day without needing to charge until you’re back home.

The front-wheel drive Nissan Ariya has 238 horsepower with 221 lb-ft of torque that gives it a 0-60 mph time of 7.2 seconds. That’s a good amount of power, but all-wheel drive versions of the Ariya take a big jump in performance. Equipped with the standard range battery and all-wheel drive, there’s 335 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. The rest of the all-wheel-drive lineup has 389 horsepower with 442 lb-ft of torque.

All that extra horsepower and torque make a huge difference in how the Ariya drives. It has much stronger acceleration and has no trouble delivering an extra burst of speed to pass slower vehicles on the highway. This also makes it more engaging driving along winding country roads. While the front-wheel-drive Ariya is pleasant, the all-wheel-drive Ariya is downright fun.

The center console of the Ariya has a bit of extra storage for keeping things out of sight, but it does one better. All you do is press a little button on the side and it power slides forward or backward. This is great for getting it in the right position for resting your arm. This can be quite a challenge for drivers who are either very short or very tall and often end up with nowhere to rest their arms comfortably.

In addition to making the driver more comfortable, it also makes it easier to access the storage on the floor. This is a small detail, but it’s one that gives the Ariya a more premium look and feel while adding to the overall driving experience.

Nissan didn’t stop at having a power sliding center console; it went ahead and applied that idea to dashboard storage. There’s a button right on top of the center console that deploys a hidden storage compartment in the center of the dashboard. This small drawer is ideal for little things you want out of sight but still within reach. It even has a little lid that you can leave closed to use the drawer as a table.

With the increasing number of people working not just from home, but from wherever, it’s a great place to prop a laptop or phone for a quick meeting during a driving break. It’s also the perfect spot for holding food so you don’t have to balance it on the passenger seat and hope you don’t spill fries and ketchup everywhere.

Weather conditions can change in an instant, especially in areas where winter weather includes snow and ice. The Nissan Ariya offers a choice of four drive modes so you can tailor the drive to current conditions on the fly. There’s Normal mode for everyday driving with a good balance between performance and efficiency. If you’re on a longer drive and want to make that battery last as long as possible, then choose Eco mode instead.

If you’re looking for the most engaging drive possible, then go ahead and choose Sport mode for having more fun on twisting side roads. Lastly, when the snow falls, set it to Snow mode to help improve traction when the roads are slippery. No matter the conditions you encounter, the Nissan Ariya is ready.

Often, the base trim of a vehicle lacks the amenities that make a car fun to drive with premium features reserved for the top of the lineup. The Nissan Ariya has many premium features standard so even the base trim provides a more pleasant drive experience. Every Ariya has leatherette seating surfaces along with heated front seats to stay warm on cold winter mornings.

There’s also a leather-wrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel that’s heated and an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar and memory. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a standard head-up display are also standard. While top trims get additional amenities including Nappa leather seating surfaces and heated rear seats, there’s no shortage of features if you stick with the base.

The standard infotainment system in the Ariya includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen. It’s large enough to easily follow even complicated navigation routes with intuitive menus that are easy to use so they reduce distraction. There’s also standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with a 6-speaker audio system, two front USB ports, and two rear USB ports. Amazon Alexa and navigation are also standard.

The top trims add a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system as well as wireless smartphone charging. This makes even the base trim a strong offering with only a few features reserved for the top of the lineup. It’s also capable of accepting over-the-air (OTA) updates to improve the user experience in the future.

The ability to comfortably carry people while still having good room for cargo is a large part of why crossovers are so popular. The Nissan Ariya does exactly that with plenty of room for holding all your stuff. There’s 22.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, so you can easily manage cargo while still carrying a full load of five passengers.

Fold the rear seats down and cargo capacity expands to 59.7 cubic feet. That’s a solid amount of space for carrying cargo, whether it’s supplies for a project or a large item that you need to get home. There’s also a wide tailgate opening and a low load floor so lifting heavy items isn’t as much of a chore.

Driver assistance features continue to evolve to make driving safer and less taxing for the driver, especially during long road trips. Available ProPilot Assist 2.0 lets the driver remove their hands from the wheel in select conditions while still keeping their eyes on the road. The status of the system varies and is clearly indicated by the color of the instrument cluster.

It shows white when it allows only intelligent cruise control. Green adds steering assist to help keep you in your lane. The highest level is blue, which allows for handsfree driving. It’s a useful feature in everyday driving but is especially handy when you head out for a lengthy road trip.