Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE

FIRSTDRIVE Award-winning EV gains four-wheel-drive option

Steve Fowler

Steve _ Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler

WE like the Nissan Ariya. So much so that it’s our current Car of the Year. We love how it drives, its high-quality feel, its style, its space; in fact there’s not much we don’t like. And now the range is growing with the four-wheel-drive e-4ORCE model which, in top Evolve trim, costs almost £60,000.

EV buyers seem to be less invested in brands and more turned on by style and tech, so Nissan hopes the Ariya’s many positives can attract buyers who would only previously have thought about spending that much on a Nissan if it had a GT-R badge.

You won’t be buying the e-4ORCE for its sportiness, though. Although a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds is swift – and the Ariya has the instant shove in the back of many an EV – this range-topper doesn’t feel any sharper to drive than the standard car. Sport mode doesn’t make much difference, either.

It’s got the same relaxed and slightly artificial steering as lesser models – not a is achievable. Things are quiet, the seats are comfortable and the view forward – through a Tesla-style deep windscreen – is great.

The Ariya’s tall, coupé-like shape means rear visibility isn’t so generous, but you do get a digital rear-view mirror that displays a widescreen view from a camera at the back rather than the letterbox look you get if you revert to simply using the mirror.

Other star features inside this Evolve-trim Ariya include a powered central storage unit that slides back and forth, and power for a secret compartment in the centre of the dash, alongside a traditional glovebox.

A digital dash display sits ahead of the driver, although this model benefits from a head-up display, too, while a responsive infotainment screen is present and correct.

Nissan has opted for separate heating and ventilation controls on the dash, but in

problem for us – while the weight gains of the extra motor on the rear axle and bigger 87kWh battery do little to reduce body roll if you up the pace through a corner.

So this Ariya is no sports car, nor is it an off-roader. The four-wheel drive is there for a bit of added security on slippery roads –handy on the wet, leaf-strewn roads of our test route, especially if you want to take advantage of the full performance that’s on offer. The same excellent e-Pedal system as on other Ariyas means you can enjoy onepedal driving, too, if you want.

That extra weight does affect the ride, though. The Ariya has always been a little on the firm side, but the e-4ORCE seems slightly more comfortable than the two-wheel-drive models, in spite of its big 20-inch wheels.

It all adds up to a comfortable cruiser – especially if the range of 300-plus miles “This Ariya is not a sports car or an off-roader. The four-wheel drive adds extra security”