In a world where electric vehicles are rapidly entering the norm, Nissan is catching up to the pack with the Ariya crossover. Nissan is setting their sights on impressing the newcomer to the market, and I think they will.
Although the car came out some time ago, we’re spending a proper week with the Ariya. It’s safe to say that Nissan has made a decent electric competitor, and for the city-bound crossover, the Ariya is a compelling offer. Alone, it’s not enough to convince me that Nissan is ahead in the EV race, but they are still in the game.
As par for the course, Nissan sent us the highest trim level, the Platinum+ e-4ORCE to see their grand vision. MSRP for the high end trim starts at $60,190. Be sure to check out the gallery and walk-around photos below the article.
A class above in interior quality
Let’s start with the interior, since that’s what stood out as the best feature; what truly sets the Ariya apart is the attention to detail in its interior design. The velvety dashboard material, adorned with a uniform stitch pattern that seamlessly flows from the front doors to the rear passengers, faux wood accents add a touch of sophistication, and the copper-colored lines and accents inject a pinch of classy color into the mix. Delicate accent lights, inspired by Japanese Edo period lanterns, add depth and warmth to the interior ambiance, creating an atmosphere that’s both inviting and calming. The plush seats are comfortable and functional, having both heated and ventilated features for the front, and heat up for the rear passengers. The Ariya’s interior is a visual delight, creating an environment that could easily be mistaken for a luxury vehicle.
With one omission (covered later) the Ariya does have some practicality to flaunt. The center console offers creative adjustability, accommodating the needs of both the driver and the passenger. The center console itself has a motorized slider that will shift from forward to back at the press of a button. This is the only car that I know of where the shifter, or drive selector, can be moved. A clever storage compartment that extends from the middle of the dashboard keeps clutter out of sight, making for a clean and organized cabin. Furthermore, the absence of a transmission tunnel enhances the spaciousness of the rear seats, making it comfortable even for the dreaded middle seat occupant. USB access, and a panoramic sunroof complete the package, make long journeys an absolute pleasure.
On-road 4WD
When it comes to the driving experience, the Ariya is a unique performer. Its four-wheel-drive system, known as e-4ORCE, doesn’t aim to tackle off-road challenges but instead focuses on delivering a smooth and secure on-road experience. The Ariya’s acceleration and deceleration curves are tuned for a relaxing and controlled ride, with a goal of mitigating the lurching feeling when coming to a stop.
Does it work? Kind of? Nissan initially showed off this tech with seemingly magical marketing, showing a tiny car deliver ramen bowls without spilling a drop. I tried to replicate this experience last year driving a test mule with e-4ORCE, and I can’t say I was impressed. I brought my own bowl of water, and indeed spilled the contents while carefully using e-4ORCE.
Fast forward to today, and the Ariya feels incredibly smooth, but it’s hard to pinpoint the reason why. It very well could be from the e-4ORCE being properly applied to a finished vehicle, but maybe it’s just the total package that is swaying my opinion. In either case, the e-4ORCE is more subtle, until it’s used in wet terrain. It was clear skies here in Utah, but on that test last year, it was great.
The Ariya’s slightly narrow wheelbase, moderately high stance, and wide shoulders give it a noticeably nimble and agile feeling, despite the luxury feel inside. While it may not match the sportiness of a Mustang Mach-E, it offers a tighter driving experience than the Ioniq 5 or the ID.4. The true strength of the Ariya shines in urban settings and on open highways.
Nissan ProPILOT 2.0
Using Nissan’s ADAS system (called ProPILOT) wasn’t life changing. The system is more on the side of cruise control than autonomous driving. It can follow a lead car, stop behind a lead car, maintain a lane, change a lane, and maintain speed. On designated roadways, and using a pre-defined route, Nissan says that ProPILOT 2.0 can change from one freeway to another, though my shallow attempts at testing this feature didn’t produce much. Nissan says the strength of ProPILOT is single lane freeway cruising, with hands off the wheel.
Ariya charging
Nissan offers the Ariya with two battery options – 63 kWh and 87 kWh. Range estimates between 216 and 305 miles are split between the many trim levels, largely effected by the 4WD option or FWD. This is a good amount of range for the segment it’s in, and there are no caveats.
The Ariya is stated for a max charge rate of 150kw, however, an independent test online shows the Ariya charges at a stable rate of 130kw until 50%, then tapering down to 70kw at 90%. While this might seem like a let-down, this is actually good news. Other EV makers out there state only the highest possible charge, failing to mention how the rate plummets through the cycle. The Mustang Mach-E charges at 150kw, but only between 2-5%; after that, it’s down to 100kw, then down to 75kw for awhile, then the usual trickle for the end of the pack.
The takeaway is that Nissan may be overstating their peak charge rate, but not lying about it. With the right source, the Ariya will charge at a usable rate, and there are no surprises.
There are other irksome charging issues out there. The Toyota BZ4X can only fast charge 2x a day, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 supposedly charges at 350kw, but I’ve never got that feature to work.
Not without its flaws
As impressive as the Ariya is, it’s not without its drawbacks. Some may find the exterior design a tad bland, with wide empty spaces on the grille, doors, and trunk. The infotainment system, with its somewhat distracting menu images, might require a learning curve.
While it has introductory off-road capabilities (higher ground clearance than a car, taller tires, 4WD) the Ariya is more tailored for staying on the beaten path. For those who want to embark on distant adventures, and pack in all the gear, the Ariya isn’t the right crossover for you.
The biggest drawback that I saw was the lack of storage space. The sliding center console houses so many other components, that the storage capacity is completely minimal; only enough for two cup holders and two phones. As a result, backpacks or purses will have to go in the back. The Ariya has no frunk, and the trunk storage is on par with many other crossovers, which isn’t stellar.
Electrek’s Take
I really like the Nissan Ariya, and if it came out just a year earlier, I probably would have bought one. The amazing interior is a joy to spend time in, the road tailored e-4ORCE is inspiring and comfortable, and there are no glaring omissions or problems. It’s a solid EV crossover that is in step with the competition.
I actually really like the bland exterior of the Nissan Ariya. Not all EVs have to be weird looking, like the Nissan LEAF, and they certainly don’t need to be eye-grabbing like the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The Nissan Ariya is like Clark Kent having super powers thinly veiled by glasses and a tie. Well… Superman might be a bit much. Maybe it’s more like Hawkeye.
I think the Ariya is a safe choice for those looking to go electric for the first time. Indeed, Nissan has made a safe bet in designing this crossover, and put some great attention where it can make an impact. Audi E-Tron or Jaguar I-Pace owners won’t be trading in anytime soon, but Nissan LEAF owners with 30 miles of range left on their pre-maturely degraded battery packs really should.
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GM vehicles will soon offer eyes-off driving, starting with the Cadillac Escalade IQ. The company introduced two new AI advancements that GM says won’t just move you, but adapt and improve over time.
GM introduces eyes-off driving and conversational AI
Starting in 2028, GM will introduce eyes-off driving on highways. The feature will debut on the Cadillac Escalade IQ before rolling out to other GM vehicles.
GM announced two new AI advancements that will serve as the foundation for its next-gen intelligent vehicles: eyes-off driving and conversational AI.
Both will run on a new centralized computing platform that controls the vehicle’s propulsion, steering, braking, infotainment, and safety features through a “high-speed Ethernet backbone.” According to GM, the platform delivers 35 times more AI performance and 1,000 times more bandwidth than its previous systems.
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Since its launch in 2017, GM said that Super Cruise has proven that advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) can scale safely.
Super Cruise, which is now offered on 23 GM vehicles, has already enabled over 700 million hands-free miles without a single crash.
Cadillac Escalade IQL interior (Source: GM)
The eyes-off system will combine Super Cruise with GM’s Cruise Technology Stack. Unlike vision-only systems, GM will use LiDAR, radars, and cameras that will be integrated directly into the vehicle’s design.
GM’s setup is based on sensor fusion, which combines information from the various sensors to create a detailed view of the vehicle’s surroundings and what’s on the road ahead.
The result, according to GM, is “a vehicle designed to handle the drive when you want it to, with the safety and precision you expect from its vehicles.”
That’s not all. Starting next year, GM vehicles will feature conversational AI, powered by Google Gemini. The service delivers a more human-like experience. Drivers will be able to create and send messages, plan trips, and more.
Looking ahead, GM plans to introduce its own custom-built AI, which the company said will be more personalized with new capabilities.
GM is among several automakers planning to launch eyes-off over the next few years, including Rivian, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Stellantis, and others.
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You’ll be getting far more extensive backup support with this HomePower 3000 bundle, which starts things off at a 3,072Wh LiFePO4 capacity that is supported by an upgraded battery management system alongside the ChargeShield 2.0 tech we’ve seen in all the brand’s second-generation variants. This station puts out a steady power stream of up to 3,600W, with the capability to surge as high as 7,200W, making it quite capable of home backup support, as well as short-term off-grid support during trips. There are 12 output port options here, with RV rovers able to benefit from the TT-30R port too.
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There are five main ways to recharge the battery here, with the bundle providing you 400W of its max 1,000W solar input for charging in the sun, while you could also top it off with a standard AC outlet, a gas generator, your car’s auxiliary cigarette lighter port, or by using both AC and DC together for the shortest charge time of 1.7 hours.
***Note: The prices below have not had the bonus savings factored in, so be sure to use the code OFFER5 on orders over $1,300 and OFFER7 on orders over $2,500 for the best deals – but keep in mind these codes do not work on the HomePower 3000 units.
Jackery’s Halloween Sale deals for individual appliance power:
Autel’s MaxiCharger Home AC Elite 40A smart AI level 2 EV charging station gets rare discount to $392
By way of the official Autel Amazon storefront, you can pick up the rarely discounted MaxiCharger Home AC Elite 40A Smart AI Level 2 EV Charger at $392.30 shipped, with two plug options to choose from: either a NEMA 14-50 plug or a NEMA 6-50 plug. Both models are coming down from their full $559 tags here, with the brand’s website offering them still at full price. This model only saw one previous discount over the year, which dropped the price $1 lower way back in January, and otherwise keeping at its full price. Now, we’re getting the second price cut of the year, with the 30% markdown cutting $167 off the going rate for the third-lowest overall price that we have tracked.
Prime Day pricing returns to Anker’s solar-charging eufy SoloCam S220 for a $60 low
Coming to us through the official eufy Amazon storefront, Anker is bringing back Prime Day pricing on the SoloCam S220 Solar Security Camera for $59.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page coupon. While this single-camera unit carries a $100 MSRP, we’ve been seeing it keep down at $70 here at Amazon, with the cost taken down to this low rate for the first time during the recent Prime Day event two weeks ago. Now, it’s coming back around to give folks another chance at upgrading their home security with $40 off the MSRP at the best price we have tracked. While this price beats out the two and three-pack values, you can pick up four of these cameras at $229.99 shipped right now, saving you $10 over buying four separate cameras.
Get up to 615 CFM of clearing power with this EGO 56V cordless electric leaf blower at $150
Amazon is offering the EGO Power+ 56V 615 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower with 2.5Ah battery at $149.91 shipped. While you can find it listed at various retailers as high as $220, we’ve seen it keeping down at $199 since the end of August, with the only discount from 2025 that beats this rate being a fall to the $140 low back from March. Aside from that, you’re otherwise looking at the next-best price of the year, with $49 cut from the tag here.
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
A new campaign is adding to the growing chorus of pushback against Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s absurdly large proposed $1 trillion pay package, this time led by unions and public interest groups. The campaign encourages individuals to get in contact with their pension or retirement funds and ask them to vote against Musk’s payday.
In September, Tesla’s board proposed a stock award worth up to $1 trillion for CEO Elon Musk. It includes several milestones regarding Tesla stock and product performance, each of which unlocks tens of billions of dollars for Musk.
It’s the largest award proposed for any CEO of any company by multiple orders of magnitude – with previous proposed Musk awards holding the second and third place positions as well.
In addition to that much-reported proposal, another proposal is up for a vote which would create a special share reserve of 208 million shares (current value $92 billion) which the Tesla board can give to Elon Musk with no strings attached.
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Both proposals will be voted on by TSLA shareholders at Tesla’s shareholder meeting on November 6.
Many groups have chimed in to raise the alarm about these proposals and how they’re bad for Tesla shareholders. Most recently, the two largest advisory groups, ISS and Glass Lewis, recommended that shareholders vote against. Earlier, a group of public pension funds including the comptrollers of several US states, the American Federation of Teachers, and a Swedish insurance group.
Now a new group has joined the chorus, calling itself “Take Back Tesla.” It’s led by unions, encouraging individuals with pension or retirement funds to get in touch with the controllers of those funds and ask them to vote no on Musk’s pay package.
Take Back Tesla consists of the American Federation of Teachers (who signed the previous pension fund letter) and the Communication Workers of America, who represent around 2.5 million workers combined.
Several public interest groups have joined on, including Public Citizen, Stop the Money Pipeline, Americans for Financial Reform, Ekō, and People’s Action Institute. These groups are generally focused on reducing the power of corporations in politics, reducing wealth concentration, and opposing the corrupting and polluting power of the fossil fuel industry.
The groups bring up some of the same points that have been brought up before, but are more focused on public advocacy and Musk’s recent political actions, in addition to protecting value for the common shareholder.
Rather than talking about dilution (which the proposals will increase, removing rights and value from shareholders), Take Back Tesla focuses more on the inequity involved in the plan. It points out that the proposed pay package for Musk tops out at a Tesla market cap of $8.5 trillion, about 2x the current market cap of the most valuable company on Earth, NVIDIA. However, Musk would be paid 2,000x as much as NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang, who made $50 million last year.
It also asserts that a Tesla employee making the median Tesla salary would need to work 1.7 million years to match a single year of Musk’s yearly compensation under the plan (we checked the salary numbers, and it seems Take Back Tesla might be using a low estimate or not counting stock-based compensation – but that doesn’t change the point too much, especially since Tesla just drained its employee stock reserve to give it all to Elon Musk).
The groups are also particularly interested in the effects that Musk himself has had on employees around the country. AFT president Randi Weingarten said:
The Tesla board, instead of upholding basic governance standards, wants to green light an outrageous $1 trillion pay package for a CEO who has spent most of the year engaged in childish political brawls, rather than working to create shareholder value. To reward this destructive behavior with an obscene salary is a slap in the face—not only to the federal workers he’s fired, but to the retirees whose pensions are invested in Tesla stock. We urge shareholders to join with us and demand their state pension officials reject Musk’s money grab and confiscate the Tesla board’s rubber stamp.
The reason Take Back Tesla is interested in pension funds is because, beyond individual Tesla shareholders, many people in the US are invested in TSLA via their 401(k) or IRA. Since TSLA is one of the largest companies on the market, almost every fund will hold some exposure to it. Which means that this issue isn’t just of interest to those who directly hold TSLA shares, but to almost everyone with any exposure to the stock market – all of whom would be better off with more stable leadership at the top of one of the largest companies in America.
It could seem strange that groups looking to stop the fossil fuel industry would target Elon Musk, CEO of the largest American electric car company. But Musk has recently proven himself to be one of the fossil fuel industry’s greatest political allies.
Take Back Tesla urges institutional shareholders to “oppose excessive CEO compensation and demand that any proposed pay package for Musk be reasonable and rationally benchmarked to the compensation of CEOs at other similarly sized companies.” The groups also oppose “the election of any Tesla Board of Directors members who do not demonstrate appropriate independence from the CEO and adherence to corporate governance best practices.”
For more information and to sign a petition which will be delivered to fund managers, visit takebacktesla.com.
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