Tesla Model Y vs. Nissan Aria: Which Crossover EV Wins? | Digital trends

Nissan has been a bit slow on electrification (besides the Leaf, of course). But now, it’s finally starting to electrify its lineup with the new Nissan Aria. The Aria crossover is similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6, and of course the Tesla Model Y.

If you’re in the market for a new electric car, you might be wondering whether you should go for the now-ubiquitous Tesla Model Y or the newer Nissan Aria. Both cars are ostensibly more technology-focused, however, while the Aria builds on Nissan’s decades of experience in the automotive industry, the Model Y takes a fresh approach to its vehicle, at least compared to the competition.

So which electric car is right for your needs? Everything you need to know is here.

Plan

The Nissan Aria and the Tesla Model Y have a completely different approach to design. If you’ve ever seen a Tesla before, you’ll immediately recognize the Model Y, which shares the same design language as other Tesla vehicles, with a rather minimalist look and feel to it. It has narrow headlights, a nicely rounded roofline, and flush door handles that give it a sleeker look.

The Nissan Aria takes a more casual approach. It looks very similar to the gas-powered previous generation, even going so far as to have a fake front grille. While the design is somewhat subjective, the car can look a little out of proportion, with a sloping roofline at the top and a much larger body than you’d expect.

It’s not ugly by any means, but if you’re looking for something completely fresh and modern, the Nissan Aria might not be for you. That being said, design is subjective and not everyone likes the way Tesla looks. This is a tie

Winner: Draw

Internal and technical

The different design approach extends to the interior of the cars as well. The interior of the Tesla Model Ys is minimal and downsized, placing most of the controls in the infotainment system rather than providing physical controls for things like climate. Some find this look stylish, but I generally prefer physical controls, except in the rare cases where companies really get digital controls right.

However, the Y model is technically very heavy. This car has a large 15.4-inch screen in the front with a relatively good design and an easy-to-use operating system. From here, you’ll have access to Tesla’s suite of cameras, driver assistance features, and mapping.

Nissan Aria has a more conventional approach. There are more physical controls and buttons, along with a dual 12.3-inch display up front for instruments and infotainment. The car’s software isn’t as well designed as Tesla’s, but unlike Tesla’s, which doesn’t support CarPlay at all, it does support CarPlay via a wireless connection.

Ultimately, interior design is subjective, but there’s no denying that the Model Y offers more and better technology.

Winner: Tesla Model Y

Performance

The Tesla Model Y and Nissan Aria both benefit from this electric vehicle zip, but their performance is not quite the same. For starters, the Nissan Aria is available in a number of different powertrain options and battery sizes, all with slightly different performance and range. Nissan doesn’t actually advertise a zero-to-60 time, but MotorTrend noted that the single-motor variant goes from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, while the dual-motor configuration hit that speed in 5 seconds. Those are fast times.

But not as quickly as some of the Model Y variants. The standard Model Y is capable of 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, but upgrade to the Y Long Range model and hit 60 in just 4.8 seconds. Step up to the Y Performance model once again and you’ll hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

Winner: Tesla Model Y

Board and charge

The range in these cars is also different. The Nissan Aria has a very livable range of between 205 miles and 304 miles, but you’ll have to pay for higher models to get it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t charge very quickly. The maximum rate is 130 kW, which is very low.

Tesla makes things better once again. The Model Y has a range of between 260 miles for the base model and 330 miles for the long-range model. Add in the fact that the car can charge up to 250kW (and has access to the Supercharger network), and there’s a clear winner here.

Winner: Tesla Model Y

Price and availability

Both the Tesla Model Y and the Nissan Aria are available now and you can get one through their respective channels. Prices are similar, with the Nissan Aria starting at just over $43,000, while the Model Y starts at around $44,000 at the time of writing.

The difference in price is minimal, but cheaper is cheaper.

Winner: Nissan Aria

Overall winner: Tesla Model Y

This is a clear win for Tesla. Nissan Aria is not a bad car. But the Tesla Model Y shows Tesla’s experience here. Even without considering the design, the Model Y has better performance and longer range, two things that are very important for a good electric car experience. If you’re looking for an electric crossover and deciding between the Tesla Model Y and the Nissan Aria, the Model Y is the way to go.

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