It’s time for the match bettwen Nissan Ariya Vs VOLKSWAGEN ID.4! The latest electric SUV, the Nissan Ariya, is coming up against one of the references of the segment: the Volkswagen ID.4. Between the German and the Japanese, which one is for you?
Volkswagen has taken an electric turn that has not gone unnoticed as there are now so many different models available within the group’s multiple brands. Today, we will confront the Volkswagen ID.4 with a new rival from Japan: the Nissan Ariya.
Between autonomies, driving sensations, fast charge performances, or even space available on board, we will compare the two electric SUVs to allow you to define the one that best meets your needs. Let’s see which of the Nissan Ariya or the Volkswagen ID.4 is the better electric car.
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Nissan Ariya Vs VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 Main Specifications
| Main Specifications | Nissan Ariya Specifications | VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Years of Production | 2022 – … | 2021 – … |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan (Nissan) | Germany (VW) |
| Accel. 0-100 km/h | 7.5 s | 8.3 s |
| Range | 360 km | 249 miles |
| Battery | 66 kWh | 82 kWh |
| Price | Start at $47,300 | start at $54,400 |
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DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND EXTERIOR DESIGN
The colors offered on the Nissan Ariya are out of the ordinary to our great pleasure. Indeed, while the different vehicles in the automotive landscape are becoming more and more similar, finding a car that stands out is a welcome breath of fresh air. In addition to the new colors, Nissan designers wanted to incorporate elements related to traditional Japanese art on their SUV, like the entire front grille, decorated with various original patterns.
Resolutely SUV, the Nissan Ariya is not original in its dimensions: 4.60 meters long, 1.85 meters wide and 1.62 meters high, it’s classic for the segment. Opposite, the Volkswagen ID.4 is hair shorter, at 4.58 meters long, and is equal in width and height. On the scales, it’s the same battle since it’s challenging to identify the Ariya from the ID.4 by weighing them, with both vehicles weighing between 1.9 and 2.2 tons depending on their configuration.
The Volkswagen ID.4 exterior design is less original than the Ariya. We find the shapes typical of the German brand’s SUVs, with a relatively clean front end and a dynamic light signature. For its originality, we give the advantage to the Ariya in terms of looks.
| Body and Chassis | Nissan Ariya Body and Chassis | Nissan Ariya Body and Chassis |
|---|---|---|
| Number of seats | 5 | 5 |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 4595 x 1849 x 1661 mm | 180.5 x 72.9 x 64.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 2776 mm | 109.1 in |
| Curb weight | N/A | 4683 lb |
| Cargo volume | 467 l | 19.2 ft3 |
| Towing capacity | N/A | N/A |
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INSIDE
If you liked the exterior of the Ariya for its originality, you’d love the interior. Indeed, Nissan offers a rather original package, with a front row separated only by the armrest resting on a sliding center console. Aesthetically, it’s very successful, but unfortunately, it prevents us from having a lot of storage space to put in some personal belongings.
The front and rear seats are excellent, and the atmosphere on board is very relaxing. We feel that the ergonomics have been worked on, and the wooden insert that gathers the different controls needed for driving in the central armrest is quite successful. Overall, the interior of the Nissan Ariya leaves an excellent impression.
On the Volkswagen ID.4 side, minimalism is the order of the day with a rather disturbing layout, mainly due to the gear selector located to the right of the steering wheel. The materials used in the front are not excellent, and we feel that the emphasis was put on the onboard technologies rather than on the robustness and the feeling of perceived quality.
Regarding trunk space, the ID.4 beats the Ariya, with 543 liters available for the German, against only 468 liters for the Nissan SUV. Nevertheless, the point goes to the Nissan Ariya for this round with a much more qualitative and innovative interior.
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ONBOARD TECHNOLOGIES
It would be easier to describe what’s missing regarding onboard technology on the Nissan Ariya since the manufacturer wanted to do the work. For example, a screen in place of a rearview mirror allows you to easily see the rear camera instead of using a mirror. This may seem like a gimmick, but it’s pretty successful.
In addition, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are part of the package. The instrument cluster featuring two 12.3-inch screens is complemented by a head-up display that allows the driver to have all the information they need without taking their eyes off the road. Driving aids combining adaptive cruise control and active lane keeping are present, as well as a 360-degree view of the vehicle to facilitate parking maneuvers.
On the Volkswagen ID.4, we find the whole catalog of technologies of the group, notably with the recent arrival of a head-up display in augmented reality, with a projection on the windshield to create the illusion that the indications are ten meters away, at road level.
In addition to adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, a highway passing assist option is available, making fast lane driving more relaxing. Finally, it is also possible to memorize parking maneuvers in forwarding gear so that the vehicle can reproduce them identically in reverse if necessary. This is a great way to get out of complicated situations.
Considering Volkswagen’s more complete offer, the ID.4 beats the Nissan Ariya regarding onboard technologies.
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ON THE ROAD
Quiet and comfortable, the Nissan Ariya knows how to appreciate itself on the secondary roads, thanks to its low energy appetite. As we reported in our test of the Nissan Ariya 63 kWh, the consumption was under 17 kWh per 100 kilometers, which is quite good for an electric SUV of almost two tons. However, the results will probably be quite different at high speeds, so it’s essential to keep that in mind.
Nissan has prioritized comfort over dynamism with the Ariya, so reasonable driving is preferred over sportier sessions. The regenerative braking system has a mode that slows down to about 15 km/h, but it’s impossible to come to a complete stop without touching the brake pedal.
On the Volkswagen ID.4 side, no one-pedal driving either, but simply a “B mode” that maximizes regenerative braking to make driving easier. Comfort was very satisfactory in the ID.4 we tested, and the soundproofing, in particular, was very good.
With controlled suspensions in some models, we have to admit that Volkswagen knew how to dose the damping to offer very comfortable trips for front and rear passengers. The consumption in suburban areas was also between 16 and 17 kWh per 100 kilometers, which means that the ID.4 is not necessarily a more significant consumer of electrons than the Nissan Ariya.
So, this is a point in favor of the ID.4 as far as driving pleasure and comfort are concerned.
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THE DIFFERENT ENGINES OFFERED
The Nissan Ariya is offered in three different engines, with two battery sizes:
- Traction with 63 kWh battery: 218 horsepower front engine, 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, top speed 160 km/h
- Traction with 87 kWh battery: 242 horsepower front engine, 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, top speed 160 km/h
- All-wheel drive with 87 kWh battery: 306 horsepower front and rear engine, 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, top speed 200 km/h
As for the Volkswagen ID.4, it is available in five different engine options, with two battery sizes:
- ID.4 Pure, rear-wheel drive with 52 kWh battery: rear engine only (149 hp), 0 to 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds, top speed 160 km/h ;
- ID.4 Pure Performance, rear-wheel drive with 52 kWh battery: rear engine only (170 hp), 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds, top speed 160 km/h ;
- ID.4 Pro, rear-wheel drive with 77 kWh battery: rear engine only (174 hp), 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, top speed 160 km/h ;
- ID.4 Pro Performance, rear-wheel drive with 77 kWh battery: rear engine only (204 hp), 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, top speed 160 km/h ;
- ID.4 GTX, all-wheel drive with 77 kWh battery: front and rear engine (299 hp), 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, top speed 180 km/h.
| Powertrain | Nissan Ariya Powertrain | Nissan Ariya Powertrain |
|---|---|---|
| Accel. 0-100 km/h | 7.5 s | 8.3 s |
| Top speed | 159 km/h (99 mph) | 99.4 mph (160 km/h) |
| Engine power | 215 hp (160 kW) | 201 hp (150 kW) |
| Engine torque | 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) | 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) |
| Efficiency | 18 kWh/100 km | 33 kWh/100 miles |
| Drive type | FWD | RWD |
| Motor type | AC-induction | Permanent-magnet |
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RANGE, BATTERY, AND CHARGING
Offering between 398 and 533 kilometers of WLTP range depending on the configuration, the Nissan Ariya seems ready to replace a primary household vehicle. Both the small 63 kWh battery and the larger 87 kWh battery take around 30 minutes to go from 20 to 80 percent battery on a fast charger, where power peaks at 130 kW.
As an option, a 22 kW AC onboard charger is available, which allows the battery to be filled up in less than four hours, without which it is necessary to limit oneself to 11 kW on a suitable wall box. The Volkswagen ID.4, on the other hand, only offers an onboard charger of 11 kW at best, requiring almost eight hours to fill the 77 kWh battery.
The small 52 kWh battery has an onboard charger of only 7 kW, so it also takes eight hours to fill it up at a home charging station (or up to 25 hours at a household outlet). In terms of fast charging peaks at 135 kW on the ID.4, and going from 5 to 80 percent battery takes 30 minutes in ideal conditions.
The WLTP range is between 334 and 359 kilometers for the version with the 52 kWh battery and between 479 and 531 kilometers for the arrangements with the 77 kWh battery.
It’s a tie between the Nissan Ariya and the Volkswagen ID.4 since they offer comparable autonomies and fast charge powers. However, the Ariya has a slight advantage in that it can take advantage of the 22 kW AC charging stations if this option was chosen when ordering.
| Battery and Charging | Nissan Ariya Battery and Charging | VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 Battery and Charging |
|---|---|---|
| Range EPA | N/A | 249 miles (401 km) |
| Range WLTP | 360 km (224 miles) | 311 miles (501 km) |
| Battery pack capacity | 66 kWh | 82 kWh |
| Max charging power (AC) | 7.4 kW | 11 kW |
| Max charging power (DC) | 130 kW | 125 kW |
| Avg. charging speed (DC) | ~496 km/h | ~266 mph |
- READ MORE: “Nissan Ariya vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: which is the better electric car?”
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PRICE
The entry-level Nissan Ariya is priced at $47,300, excluding the environmental bonus, which is equipped with a 63 kWh battery. Longer-range versions with 87 kWh battery start at $54,400, and the four-wheel drive version is available from $61,900.
In contrast, the Volkswagen ID.4 starts at $43,000, excluding the environmental bonus, which means that the price today is $37,000. Of course, this is for the entry-level version with the smaller battery, but it is still much lower than Ariya’s base price. You must pay at least 50,850 dollars to get the giant storm, and the most powerful version will cost at least 57,900.
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WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN, THE NISSAN ARIYA AND THE VOLKSWAGEN ID.4?
Suppose the Nissan Ariya offers an innovative interior and exterior design and rather excellent standard equipment at the time of the assessment. In that case, the answer to the best electric car between the latter and the Volkswagen ID.4 is not trivial. The ID.4 has more space in the back and trunk and some additional technological gadgets.
In addition, the entry-level version is still much cheaper, making a difference for many potential customers. For about 3,500$ more, the Nissan Ariya with the 87 kWh battery is to be compared with the Volkswagen ID.4 Pro, and in this case, the advantage could go to the Japanese. Indeed, with 10 kWh more battery, a better-finished interior, and some options that will please the technophiles, the Ariya can win over the ID.4.
It remains to define what you value most: if it’s comfort, the ID.4 and its controlled suspension will be your favorite. If it’s ergonomics and interior quality, the Ariya is for you. In any case, there is no clear winner in this comparison: it’s a tie!