Nissan's first shipment of Ariya electric vehicles embarks for Australian shores
Nissan Ariya Electric SUV Arrives in Australia in September 2025
The much-anticipated Nissan Ariya electric SUV is set to hit Australian roads in September 2025, with orders already open online and at dealerships. This marks a significant milestone for Nissan Australia, as the Ariya becomes the second fully electric Nissan vehicle available locally after the Leaf hatchback.
The Ariya comes in four variants: Engage, Advance, Advance+, and Evolve e-4orce. The entry-level Engage starts at $55,840 before on-road costs, while the top-tier Evolve AWD is priced at $71,840.
Two lithium-ion battery packs are available for the Ariya - a 63 kWh battery offering up to 385 km range, and an 87 kWh battery providing up to 504 km range, both measured by WLTP standards. The Ariya also offers wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, ensuring seamless connectivity.
For those seeking power, the entry-level Ariya offers a single front-mounted motor producing 160 kW and 300 Nm torque. Higher variants have different configurations to support AWD and larger battery packs. The Ariya supports AC charging at up to 22 kW and DC fast charging at 130 kW, enabling a 10-80% charge in around 35 minutes.
The Ariya measures 4595 mm long and 1850 mm wide, with a 2775 mm wheelbase, balancing spaciousness and practicality. It also features a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 12.5-inch driver screen.
The Ariya undercuts rivals like the Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID4, and Toyota BZ4X in starting price, making it a competitive option in the Australian EV SUV segment.
Riz Akhtar, the founder of carloop - a Melbourne-based company specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports, and trends - expressed his excitement about the Ariya's arrival. Akhtar, a mechanical engineer with a passion for EVs, spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop.
Warwick Daly, deputy head of marketing and bobility at Nissan Australia, stated that the Ariya represents the next chapter of their electric vision. The Ariya is produced at Nissan's Tochigi Plant in Japan. Two interior color options are available: black and blue nappa leather (for the Evolve variant).
No current plans for an Ariya Nismo version in Australia have been announced.
[1] Nissan Australia (2023). Nissan Ariya electric SUV now open for orders in Australia. [online] Available at: https://www.nissan.com.au/news/nissan-ariya-electric-suv-now-open-for-orders-in-australia
[2] CarExpert (2023). 2025 Nissan Ariya electric SUV: Price, variants, and specs. [online] Available at: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/nissan/2025-nissan-ariya-electric-suv-price-variants-specs
[3] Green Car Reports (2023). 2025 Nissan Ariya: First look at the electric SUV for the U.S. [online] Available at: https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1145400_2025-nissan-ariya-first-look-at-the-electric-suv-for-the-u-s
The much-anticipated arrival of the Nissan Ariya electric SUV in Australia is poised to disrupt the local automotive industry, as it poses a competitive threat to rivals like Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID4, and Toyota BZ4X due to its lower starting price. Given Riz Akhtar's background in mechanical engineering, transport infrastructure, and EVs, his excitement about the Ariya's arrival is apparent, showcasing the growing interest in finance and technology within the transportation sector.
