Despite temperatures that could feel downright frigid outside, Nissan’s electric SUV has likely endured far chillier conditions. At its cutting-edge test chamber at its tech hub near Detroit, Nissan is demonstrating the Ariya SUV’s resilience in extreme climates. The Kia Niro’s EV variant, Ariya, is being subjected to extreme temperatures ranging from -40 to 176°F, testing its durability and manufacturing quality.
Nissan introduced the Ariya, its inaugural electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), to the US market towards the end of 2022. Within its inaugural year of sales in the US market, Ariya fashion boasted an impressive total of over 13,400 units sold, while a further nearly 20,000 pieces were delivered to customers in 2024 alone?
In recent weeks, Nissan debuted the 2025 Ariya, with a starting price tag of $39,770. It offers two battery options: 66 or 91 kilowatt-hours, providing an estimated range of either 216 or 289 miles depending on the selection. That’s for the FWD fashions.
Experience the rush of exhilarating acceleration with Nissan’s e-4ORCE AWD dual-motor system, delivering a potent combination of up to 389 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. Despite the injection of new enthusiasm, one often compromises on quality. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) Ariya will deliver an estimated range of up to 272 miles.
As a string of chilly fronts sweeps across the nation, Nissan is highlighting the capabilities of its Ariya model to withstand and thrive in freezing conditions.
The pioneering electric SUV became the first vehicle, regardless of fuel type, to navigate the treacherous route from the North to the South Pole in 2023. At Nissan’s technological hub outside Detroit, the latest innovation is undergoing rigorous testing.
Currently, temperatures in Detroit plummet to 23°F, with a record-low of 11°F, but Nissan claims the chill factor is even more biting in its innovative new testing facility. Located on the Nissan Technical Center North America campus just outside of Detroit.
Nissan tests the mettle of its Ariya electric crossover in a state-of-the-art climate testing facility.
“At Nissan’s technology center, Jeff Tessmer, senior manager of Zero Emission Vehicles, explained that their climate-controlled chambers can maintain temperatures ranging from a chilly -40 degrees Fahrenheit to a warm 176 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Nissan puts the Ariya to the test in an extreme environment simulation facility where temperatures are significantly higher than those experienced by average drivers. Tessmer emphasized the importance of considering the worst-case scenario, stating that this approach would ensure that customers still achieve the same level of performance regardless of the climate conditions.
One of the many primary objectives is to demonstrate that the electric SUV’s battery can maintain cost-effective energy ranges even in extreme weather conditions?
Nissan utilises rigorous “chilly soak” testing procedures to thoroughly validate the efficiency of its vehicles. In extreme cold temperatures of -4°F for 24 hours, the Ariya’s battery level dropped to an astonishing 17%. It was not plugged in or using its battery heater either. After the workforce returned the next day, the electric SUV still boasted a 17% discount and started up promptly.
The Ariya features a battery heater that drivers can pre-activate to ensure optimal efficiency and performance. When temperatures soar on sweltering summer days, the device is equipped with a cutting-edge liquid-cooled system designed to meticulously regulate battery temperatures and maintain optimal performance.
Using the MYNISSAN app, drivers can proactively warm up the interior of their vehicle, monitor the ambient temperature, and plan charge sessions in advance. Ansar Jammeh, a member of Nissan’s Zero Emissions Engineering team, notes that utilizing the vehicle’s heating feature effectively occurs when it’s plugged in, allowing the car to draw power from the grid rather than its own battery.
| (kWh) | (miles) | ||
| Have interaction FWD | 66 | $39,770 | 216 |
| Have interaction e-4ORCE | 66 | $43,770 | 205 |
| Evolve + FWD | 91 | $44,370 | 289 |
| Have interaction + e-4ORCE | 91 | $45,370 | 272 |
| Evolve + e-4ORCE | 91 | $48,370 | 272 |
| Platinum + e-4ORCE | 91 | $54,370 | 267 |
Nissan has introduced a brand-new wireless charging pad across all 2025 Ariya models. Within the options, Nissan’s Superior Drive-Help setup features two 12.3-inch infotainment and driver display screens designed in a wave-like shape.
The 2025 model offers a range of standard features, including wireless integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a high-definition head-up display, and a state-of-the-art digital personal assistant. The advanced safety features on this vehicle also include Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, which offers supported driving capabilities.
