Nissan Ariya Nismo – punch and practicality

PERFORMANCE and practicality aren’t always the most comfortable of bedfellows, but Nissan has made the combination work in a very modern – and electrified – way.

Enter the Nissan Ariya Nismo, a comfortable, spacious and extremely stylish family-size SUV with an eye-catchingly sharp edge.

The Nismo name, which is short for Nissan Motorsports, is the brand’s tuning and performance division and has been traditionally reserved for models like the GT-R and 370Z.

But the big guns at Nissan decided to thrust that motorsport pedigree into the EV era and make what was already a smart looking crossover model really dazzle.

What we have with the Ariya Nismo is a car that hangs onto the minimalist style of the standard model but gives it some standout sporty features – like side skirts, a front splitter, twin diffuser, body-hugging sports seats, red trim details and stitching, Nismo logos and glossy black and white 20-inch alloys.

Move inside and the dash is dominated by twin digital displays that are easy to navigate and have sharp graphics while there are also touch-sensitive controls for functions like climate control.

As for space there’s plenty of it for a mid-size SUV with ample head and legroom up front plus space for three adults across the back – and the benefit of no intrusion for a centre rear passenger’s feet due to the fully flat floor.

Boot space isn’t as accommodating as in some rival SUVs and is best described as adequate at 408 litres, though the rear seats do fold down to help with larger items, and there’s also a small space beneath the floor to store charging cables.

Where the Nismo really comes alive though is out on the road, with its emphasis on usable speed, refined handling and everyday comfort.

It uses Nissan’s dual-motor e-4ORCE all-wheel drive set-up, developing shedloads more power than standard Ariya variants – 429bhp as opposed to 300bhp – for some genuinely impressive and instant acceleration.

It takes bang on five seconds to reach 62mph from standstill with mid-range punch ensuring 50mph to 70mph in just 2.4 seconds.

Nissan’s engineers have worked overtime on the chassis too, with a retuned suspension and sharper steering for more composure through corners. Body control is also really sorted, though the ride can feel quite jarring over broken surfaces.

Four separate drive modes called Nismo, Standard, Eco and Snow can be accessed via a button on the wood-effect centre console and unlike in some vehicles they really do make a difference.

Pottering round the countryside in Eco, and with an eye on the electric range, finds the Ariya in a somewhat restrained disposition. Switch to Nismo and the car transforms into a thoroughbred.

Driving range is increasingly a consideration for buyers of electric cars and the extra performance of the Nismo over the standard 87kWh battery Ariya does have an impact on efficiency, with a figure of 260 miles compared to the regular model’s 329 miles.

That said, fast charging capability of 130kW allowing you to top up from 20-80 per cent in near enough 30 minutes, can help minimise delays during longer journeys.

All in all, if you’re making the switch to an electric SUV and don’t want to give up the excitement of driving then the Nissan Ariya Nismo is a smart, and extremely stylish, choice – even if it does come at a price.