2025 Nissan Ariya electric SUV due in Australia five years after reveal

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Nissan's mid-size electric SUV alternative to the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 will arrive in Australia in 2025, pending any further delays.

The 2025 Nissan Ariya is due in local showrooms in the second half of next year with multiple specifications and battery sizes, after it first debuted as a near-production concept in late 2019 and in production form in mid-2020.

It has been a long time coming for Australia with sales first planned to commence in 2023, before the Ariya was delayed indefinitely due to unique Australian Design Rules requirements and prioritising supply for other markets where electric vehicle take-up was higher.

"Start of sale for Ariya is… [the] second half of 2025. We will have a comprehensive line-up, including different specifications and battery sizes available for customers. I think this is an exceptional car," said Nissan Australia managing director Andrew Humberstone at a recent media briefing.

The Ariya will arrive in Australia following the commencement of the New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES) on 1 January 2025, which seeks to reduce tailpipe emissions from new cars sold.

However, car manufacturers won’t be penalised – or credited – based on the CO2 emissions of their vehicles until 1 July 2025.

Humberstone told Drive timing of the Ariya is "very convenient" due to a current slowdown in the growth of electric vehicle sales – and rise in hybrid interest – with an opportunity to direct customers to its E-Power models like the X-Trail in the meantime.

"You’re seeing in most countries but certainly also here, almost a delay in that migration into full electric and the consumer saying, I need a bridge," said Humberstone.

"The E-Power [hybrid] is our opportunity and that’s our space. That’s potentially where my head would go and where I see some elasticity, and therein lies our opportunity."

Humberstone said Nissan Australia could not guarantee pricing for the Ariya would remain stable once it is announced due to the competitiveness and volatility of the electric vehicle market – with a wave of newcomers – which has seen other brands such as Ford, Audi and Jeep make last-minute price changes.

"It’s a very difficult one because at the moment the market is very competitive and there’s so much volatility in it and there’s so many disruptors respectfully not being respectful to the space and it’s well, what do you do? Maybe that’s their agenda to derail, to disrupt" added Humberstone.

"I have to respond to market conditions or else I end not selling any. You know, in any commercial business entity, you need to respond to your competitor basket or else I’ll just sit with stock and everybody will say, you’re very expensive."

Overseas, the Nissan Ariya has a 63kWh or 87kWh lithium-ion battery and optional all-wheel-drive, with a WLTP-rated claimed driving range of up to 530 kilometres.

A Nismo version of the Ariya launched in Japan earlier this year with more power, sportier looks, and stiffer suspension. It has not been confirmed for Australia, however, the brand said a wide range will be offered locally.

Additional rivals to the coupe-styled Nissan Ariya include the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Toyota bZ4X, Subaru Solterra, Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5, Cupra Tavascan, and similar models from new brands, such as the Leapmotor C10, Zeekr 7X, and BYD Sealion 7.

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