Clash Of The Electric Crossovers: 2023 Nissan Ariya vs. Tesla Model Y

While electric vehicles surge in popularity, manufacturers are amping up their EV lineups to provide more flexible and versatile options to meet the unique needs of their customers. Nissan was the first automotive brand to produce a mass market electric vehicle over a decade ago with the launch of the 2011 Nissan Leaf. More recently, Elon Musk’s fully-electric Tesla brand has become a household name synonymous with battery-powered vehicles. With the first-ever 2023 Nissan Ariya set to arrive this fall, it’s time for the EV OG to face off against their charged challenger in a clash of the electric crossovers.

Starring in the spotlight alongside its famous creator, Tesla has become THE mainstream EV brand. From autonomous driving to their unmistakable Cybertruck, the brand is now the media’s poster child for everything EV, for better or for worse. Tesla’s Model Y is a relatively new addition to their catalogue, with the first models reaching the road in March 2020. So how does the Model Y stack up against Nissan’s first-ever all-electric SUV? Let’s find out.

Pricing - Advantage Ariya

While Nissan hasn’t released the Ariya’s Canadian pricing yet, we’re holding out hope that the base model’s price tag will be compliant with federal and provincial EV rebates, making it eligible for up to $10,750 in savings. For now, we’ll have to make do with the pricing available for our neighbours to the South. Going green in the Tesla Model Y will cost you just over 17% more than it will for a Nissan Ariya (and that’s without factoring in any potential rebates). And here we have the Ariya’s first advantage over the Model Y. 17% more money should get you 17% more EV, right? Wrong. 

Cargo Space - Advantage Ariya

One advantage the Model Y has over the Ariya is it’s potential passenger capacity. With an optional third row, the Model Y can seat up to seven occupants, but, “the third row is cramped,” according to InsideEVs.com.  Our friends at MotorBiscuit seemed to agree, saying:

Despite having enough space for an additional row, the Model Y’s cargo space is actually just under 50% smaller than the Ariya’s, coming in at 30.2 cubic feet. Nissan took the Ariya’s tagline “relax into luxury” to heart when designing its lounge-like cabin, featuring an impressive 59.7 cubic feet of storage space. 

Range - Advantage Model Y

The one category that the Model Y does manage to top the Ariya in is range. And even then, it’s negligible. Tesla’s Model Y boasts a range of 512 kilometers, while the Ariya cruises for 483 kilometers on a single charge. That’s only 30 kilometers of additional range for a 17% price hike. And while we’re talking about range, let’s not forget about charging, either. If the Ariya is eligible for government rebates, that will also include a free Level 2 home charger. (As of March 2023, the PEI government announced that the free home charger program was suspended, but the available rebate jumped by $750.) Down the road, the Tesla Supercharger station will take just under an hour for an 80% charge and cost around $15-$20. 

Both electric crossovers offer in-demand features like a heated steering wheel, heated seats, a phone app, and the Ariya’s ProPilot Assist 2.0 is similar to Tesla’s Autopilot system. But the Ariya isn’t restricted to Tesla’s …unique infotainment system, instead offering industry standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are unavailable in Tesla vehicles. It’s clear the EV OG still has what it takes to exceed the needs of its customers. Affordable yet luxurious, the 2023 Nissan Ariya is sure to be a top contender in the thriving EV market when it arrives in Canada this fall.