Nissan Note Reviews

Although it’s only just arrived in Australia, Nissan will axe the Ariya electric SUV in the US.As reported by Automotive News, the Japanese carmaker will pause US-bound production of its Tesla Model Y rival for the 2026 model year.“This decision enables the company to reallocate resources and optimize its EV portfolio as the automotive landscape continues to evolve,” said Nissan in a statement to Automotive News.An unnamed person with knowledge of the decision told Automotive News the Trump administration’s 15 per cent import tariff has hurt the profitability of this Japanese-made electric vehicle (EV) in the US.Federal $7500 EV tax credits are also set to expire in the US at the end of September, with EV demand anticipated to fall after this.It hasn’t helped that US sales of the Ariya have been slow ever since its introduction in 2022. There have been plenty of price discounts and incentives to get buyers over the line.Nissan Senior Director for EV strategy and transformation Trisha Jung told Automotive News the US market is currently undergoing a shift.“When you look at what’s going on between incentives and the value that the vehicle is bringing brandwise, and economically long term, the fact is has a different valuation today than it did before,” said Jung to Automotive News.“We have a major shift in the demand curve, so we’ve got to understand what that means in terms of customer demand, volume, price point.“We just need to make sure we have a setup that’s sustainable for the company, the dealers and the consumer.”At this stage it’s unclear whether the Ariya will ever return to the US market.However, Nissan could reportedly be pausing Ariya sales to redirect resources for the launch of the forthcoming, new-generation Leaf electric crossover. It’s due to launch in the US later this year.Battery shortages could limit supply of the new, Japanese-made Leaf for the US. An unnamed person told Automotive News that initial allocation for the US will be limited to 500 units per month.As noted above, the Nissan Ariya is only launching in Australia now despite being offered in other markets for three years. It was originally revealed in 2020.There are four variants on offer with pricing starting from $55,840 before on-roads and extending to $71,840 before on-roads.At this stage the new-generation Leaf is set to launch locally in the Japanese 2026 financial year (April 2026 to March 2027).

Nissan Leaf production reportedly impacted by battery shortages ahead of its international roll-out.

The Evolve is the flagship trim in the Australian Nissan Ariya line-up and the only one offered with all-wheel drive.

The Engage is the entry-level trim in the Australian Nissan Ariya line-up.

Here’s a question for four-wheel driving enthusiasts: why? As in why do you do it? Serious question.

Nissan is going to shake things up in Australia over the next few years if everything from the Oceania Managing Director’s new plan comes to fruition.

The Advance+ is the most affordable trim with the larger 87kWh battery pack option in the Australian Nissan Ariya line-up.

Nissan has finally launched the Ariya mid-size electric SUV in Australia roughly three years after it was introduced in other markets.

The Advance is the highest trim with the smaller 63kWh battery pack option in the Australian Nissan Ariya line-up.

It's been five years since the Nissan Ariya was first revealed and it's only just arriving in Australia now. With heavy-hitting competition to go up against, is it too little too late for this Japanese electric mid-size SUV?