News

Nissan Ariya NISMO: A Family EV With A Racing Heartbeat

Andrew Goodman

05 Jun 2026 • 4 min read

Nissan’s first Ariya to wear the NISMO badge blends a sharper chassis, punchier all-wheel-drive and motorsport styling cues. It’s quick, grippy and surprisingly usable—if you can live with the weight and a few fussy touch controls.

What is it?

The Ariya NISMO is the range-topper for Nissan’s mid-size electric SUV: a two-motor, all-wheel-drive Ariya with a motorsport-flavoured makeover and chassis tweaks aimed at making the big EV feel keener from behind the wheel. In the UK it’s offered in a single, high-spec trim—most recognisably in Stealth Grey with the signature NISMO red detailing.

Design & cabin

NISMO’s styling additions suit the Ariya’s smooth, Japanese-inspired lines better than you might expect. The 20-inch wheels and more aggressive aero pieces give it real presence without turning it into a caricature, while the red highlights (outside and in) add just enough theatre. Inside, the supportive seats and red stitching feel properly special for a performance flagship, and the two-spoke steering wheel is a genuine highlight: comfortable, intuitive and a nice break from the usual thick-rimmed sameness. The only caveat is durability—some of the suede/Alcantara-style trim looks premium, but could be a worry if you’ve got kids, dogs or a busy family life.

On the road

With 429 hp and 600 Nm split across two motors, the Ariya NISMO has the instant shove you’d expect—0–62 mph in 5.0 seconds is brisk for something this tall and family-friendly. More importantly, the e-4ORCE all-wheel-drive system gives it real traction when you lean on it; on greasy roundabouts it bites hard and fires you out cleanly. There’s no hiding the mass, though. Push on and you still feel the car’s weight in transitions, but Nissan has done an impressive job with the fundamentals: it brakes confidently and corners far better than a big EV SUV has any right to, staying tidy and predictable when the pace rises. The end result is an EV that’s genuinely enjoyable on a back road—even if it’s never going to feel ‘light’.

Tech & usability

Spec levels are strong, with twin 12.3-inch displays, a head-up display, Bose audio, wireless Apple CarPlay, a 360-degree camera system and plenty of driver-assistance tech. Day-to-day comfort is also covered with heated seats and wheel, dual-zone climate and a heat pump. The frustration is the touch-sensitive climate panel: it looks sleek, but it’s clumsy to use on the move and slower than proper physical buttons—exactly the kind of thing a performance model should avoid.

Range & charging

Nissan quotes a 261-mile WLTP range, which is respectable for a 429 hp, all-wheel-drive SUV but not class-leading. Treat it as a realistic 200-ish miles in colder weather or if you’re using the performance consistently. Rapid charging is rated up to 130 kW, meaning a motorway top-up is doable without drama, and the heat pump helps efficiency in winter.

Pros & cons

Strong performance and serious all-weather traction from e-4ORCE AWD
Impressive body control: brakes and corners remarkably well for its weight
NISMO design details work inside and out, especially the red accents and Stealth Grey paint
Supportive seats and a genuinely excellent two-spoke steering wheel
You feel the mass when pressing on—this is still a heavy EV SUV
Touch-sensitive climate controls are fiddly and slow compared with physical buttons
Suede/Alcantara-style trim could prove high-maintenance for family use

Verdict

The Ariya NISMO isn’t a hot hatch in disguise—its weight makes sure of that—but it is one of the more convincing ‘sporty’ takes on a family EV SUV. The grip is huge, the chassis feels sorted, and the NISMO cabin touches deliver the sense of occasion you want at this price point. Fix the climate controls and it’d be easier to recommend outright; as it stands, it’s a fast, handsome and genuinely engaging EV that still works for everyday life.