First Drive: Is Nissan Ariya’s facelift a successful makeover or just another midlife crisis?

What is it?

Now, four years into its life, Nissan has decided the time is right to give the old favourite a few touch-ups and upgrades to keep it appealing in a market which is becoming increasingly competitive thanks to an influx of new models from China. But have the tweaks worked? We’ve been driving the updated car in Barcelona to find out.

What’s new?

Exterior changes are kept to a minimum, although there is a redesigned front that Nissan says is inspired by ‘Timeless Japanese Futurism’, as well as new wheel designs and fresh interior colour options. The new car also features updated suspension tuning and advanced driver support technologies, as well as improved charging capability and vehicle-to-load capabilities for the first time. While all this is great, the tweaks are mostly subtle and the car largely retains the look and feel of what has come before.

What’s under the bonnet?

Elsewhere, the Ariya continues to support DC rapid charging at speeds of up to 130kW, meaning it can be charged in around 30 minutes from 20 to 80 per cent. The only real update when it comes to charging comes in the form of a new 11-kW bi-directional on-board charger supporting vehicle-to-load, allowing you to charge devices directly from the car’s battery. Other than that, it is pretty much a case of ‘as you were’.

What’s it like to drive?

On the smooth, pothole-free A roads and motorways around Barcelona, things were indeed smooth and represented a small but noticeable step up on the previous car. However, around town and on some of the rougher, hilltop tracks, the car still lacked a little comfort. Even the e-4ORCE all-wheel drive car (which is not coming to the UK) struggled on loose ground and through the corners, there remains a fair bit of roll and wallow.

That being said, most drivers of the Ariya will not be throwing it around bends with much regularity and in the right conditions, the car represents a perfectly comfortable and relaxing option.

How does it look?

This is also helped with the addition of new 19-inch alloy wheels and the striking new plasma green paint option. Elsewhere, the Ariya keeps its large L-shaped LED running lights and full-width LED light bar, both of which give the SUV a real presence.

What’s it like inside?

Throughout the cabin, the material quality is generally good, with soft-touch surfaces and tasteful trim details, although there are a few headaches when it comes to practicality. The high driving position, teamed with the sloping roofline, means that taller drivers are likely to struggle for headroom and while the 466-litre boot is adequate, it is certainly far from being class-leading.

What’s the spec like?

When it comes to tech, the Japanese brand has added built-in Google services, including Maps, Assistant and access to apps via the Play Store. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available as standard. Elsewhere, owners can also use the NissanConnect Services smartphone app to monitor battery status, start or schedule charging sessions, pre-condition the cabin before setting off and check tyre pressures remotely.

Verdict

The Nissan Ariya has always been competitive in a crowded market, although recent years have certainly seen increased competition.

While these latest changes don’t shift the dial too much, they will certainly do the car’s chances no harm in seeing off those rivals from China. Yes, there are one or two issues with the ride but if you’re looking for a stylish, sophisticated and well-equipped family SUV, it is certainly worth considering.