Comparison test: Nissan Ariya 87 kWh 4×2 vs Toyota bZ4X single motor
Two proposals that reflect the coherence and focus of Japanese philosophy put Nissan and Toyota in the game in the most commercial electric vehicle category.
Long before the automotive world realized that electrification could reduce dependence on fossil fuels, Toyota introduced us to hybrid technology with the Prius, and long before Elon Musk made electrification a powerful trend, Nissan made it affordable and feasible with the Leaf.
At all stages of the history of the automobile, the Japanese have proven to be innovative and visionary, and as in many other countries, they seem to be obsessed with a particular way of thinking, thus depriving them of flexibility and adaptability to the situations that arise.
Obviously, behind this unique temperament lies the reason why Toyota until recently was almost unimaginably absent from electrification, and why Nissan has been slow to take the next step. But now both companies have jumped on the game and claimed to have taken a share of the most commercial segment in the category – the midsize electric SUV segment.
Instantly recognizable as a model of Toyota's Hyundai range, the bZ4X combines the aesthetic features of the company's crossovers, such as the Yaris Cross and C-HR. Ariya, on the other hand, brings new aesthetic nuances to Nissan's palette, with a more elegant and futuristic style, indicating that it is not an electric version of Qashqai, although it usually falls into the same category.
The sheer size is now often a standard feature of models based on pure electric platforms, and is also a common feature in this case.
We are talking about two SUVs of more than 4.5 m with a correspondingly long wheelbase, which guarantees a generous space. The bZ4X has a numerical advantage, but in reality the spatial data is close, and the individual design and ergonomic choices give Ariya a slight advantage.
The fully horizontal configuration of the dashboard and the floating (150mm sliding) center console leave space between the legs of the driver and front passenger, emphasizing Nissan's sense of spaciousness, while the rear seats have a completely flat floor and no protrusions at the end of the center console making it more comfortable to accommodate a third passenger.
The Ariya's small space advantage is also sealed by the marginal advantage of trunk space, but the Nissan model does not exceed the average of its class in this area.
What is certain is that, on a practical level, both Japanese SUVs are famously responsive to the demands of their family's character. However, we must recognize that Nissan has succeeded in highlighting this usability in the most elegant, pleasing and high-quality interiors we have seen in its models so far.
The austere aesthetic blends perfectly with the combination of Alcantara leather, bronze brushed aluminium and synthetic wood hidden underneath. The comfortable armchair-style seat gives the feeling of being in a luxurious aristocratic living room, but there is also the freshness of two 12.3-inch digital screen panels.
The digital environment isn't the most impressive it is today, but it has high-definition visuals, very good processing speeds, rich content, and a full suite of connected apps and services. The path taken by Toyota is very different, not only from Nissan, but also from what we have seen in other models of the company.
The bulky center console seems to be part of a larger effort to create a cockpit feel. This is further emphasized by the deeply extended steering column, which terminates at a small digital display visible above the edge of the small-diameter steering wheel.
The logic is similar to that of the Peugeot i-Cockpit, except that the screen here, in addition to its small size, is modest in content, with a fairly basic level of graphics, while (as in the case of Peugeot) we are not sure that the small steering wheel is suitable for all drivers
。 In addition, the 12.3-inch central touchscreen (8-inch for the base Active version) has high definition, but Toyota's operating system is fairly simple, offering all the useful connectivity services, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto play (as does the Ariya).
The broader approach to quality follows Toyota's familiar standards, dominated by fabrics that cover most of the dashboard, soft materials that touch the hands directly, and a large area of gloss black paint on the center console.
Hence the familiar feel of a well-made with the Toyota logo, but since we are talking about something more expensive and unique than the Corolla, a more refined and perhaps more luxurious aura will certainly be welcomed.
Both models can be equipped with up to two electric motors and four-wheel drive on the platform. In our case, we're dealing with front-wheel drive versions of the bZ4X and Ariya with an electric motor. Toyota offers the only option for all bZ4X, a 71.4 kWh battery (with an effective capacity of 64 kWh) and an electric motor performance of 204 PS and 266 Nm in the front-wheel drive version.
In contrast, the front-wheel drive Ariya has the option of a smaller 66 kWh battery (useful 63 kWh) and a 218 PS electric motor, or our test car also has a larger 91 kWh battery (useful 87 kWh) where the electric motor's performance is boosted to 242 PS and 300 Nm torque.
Both cars were equally fast in the 0-100 km/h sprint, with the timer stopping close to 7.5 inches, and the bZ4X not only went slightly faster in the process, but also felt more courageous every time he stepped on the throttle. We're guessing this has more to do with the more aggressive mapping of Toyota's electric motors and less to do with the fact that the Ariya with its big battery is about 150 kilograms heavier than its competitors.
The bottom line is that in both cases, the performance is good enough for style and requirements. In addition to this, it is foreseeable that the Ariya, which has a larger battery, will go further until the charger needs to be found.
Despite the size and weight, the average consumption during our tests was limited to 18.5 kWh/100 km, which translates to a real-world range of 470 km on city, highway and rural routes.
If that sounds good, the performance of the bZ4X is truly outstanding, as cars similar in size and power to the Ariya are able to drive with significantly less energy in similar conditions.
Moreover, this is also the goal of Toyota's recent upgrades, mainly to improve battery cooling and energy management. If driven carelessly, the bZ4X will have an average fuel consumption of no more than 16 kWh/100 km and a range of more than 400 km.
In our opinion, this is one of the strongest cards in bZ4X compared to all competitors. But it's not the only one. In addition to the spaciousness and the familiar Toyota quality hallmark we've already mentioned, the bZ4X offers a balanced combination of comfort and driving consistency.
It doesn't show a character with a dynamic logo or exciting elements, but everything seems to be set up correctly to do what it needs to do. It's easy to drive around the city, easy on the road, and easy on long journeys. The protagonist is the suspension, which is able to pass comfortably in strong irregularities, while providing a solid roll and a clear sense of control over the body.
Although the information from the transparent steering wheel is fairly filtered, the thrust is even and conveys confidence. The Ariya's driving configuration is very close to these figures, with a focus on the coexistence of comfort and friendliness. The Nissan SUV has similar efficiency, balance, and homogeneity to the bZ4X, but looks more refined in the details.
The steering was more active and more courageous when entering corners, and our test Ariya was equipped with 20-inch wheels and was able to handle rough terrain just like the bZ4X with 18-inch wheels, so the depth of suspension action and high-profile tires were further appreciated.
In addition, the Ariya is able to choose between three driving modes (Economy, Normal, Sport), which gives the Ariya a wider range of driving nuances than the bZ4X, which has a basic driving mode and is the only option to achieve a faster recovery. But where Ariya excels is in the living room.
Nissan has paid special attention to every parameter of the NVH (Noise, Vibration, Wiring Harness) package, minimizing rolling noise and aerodynamic noise, combined with the comfort of the suspension and the luxurious aura of the interior, creating a feeling of being at home. A capsule that isolates passengers from outside interference.
Having said that, we should emphasize that these two proposals largely reflect the practices of these two Japanese companies. While the bZ4X may look slightly awkward than Toyota's popular hybrid model in terms of building its own image, it clearly communicates the company's commitment to engineering excellence and broader balance.
Powerful elements such as spaciousness, functionality and the Toyota Quality Mark are made up of efficient electric drive technology with top-of-the-line energy management performance.
Ariya, on the other hand, has clearly opened a whole new chapter for Nissan. It will win you over with its elegant aesthetics, convince you with its adaptability to space and practicality, while at the same time impressing with the unexpectedly high quality and luxurious tones that its overall character incorporates. So, Nissan's electric SUV is our choice, but not this specific version with a big battery.
There is no doubt that the advantage of autonomy is important, but it is not enough to justify the very high price of the 87 kWh version (60,900 euros), which starts with a very rich Evolve gear package.
If this is the only version of the Ariya, then the bZ4X is certainly a completely reasonable option, starting at 44,990 euros. However, the Ariya 63 kWh starts at the same price (from 44,900 euros) and while losing the advantage of autonomous driving, it retains all the other assets that make Nissan's electric SUV stand out.
Key technologies
The bZ4X is the first Toyota model to use the all-electric eTNGA platform. As the name suggests, the platform shares some construction elements with the TGNA that supports Toyota's cooling system, but it is modified for the needs of electric models. A key feature is the placement of the battery under the floor (which explains the rather high threshold of the bZ4X) and its integration as a structural element of the chassis. The platform was developed to make it possible to place batteries of various sizes and capacities, as well as install one electric motor on the front axle, or two electric motors for the four-wheel drive version. One of the major features of the eTNGA is the long wheelbase of 2,850 mm, which is 160 mm longer than the wheelbase of the RAV4.
The Ariya is based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's CMF-EV platform, which is also used by Megane E-Tech. Like Toyota's eTNGA, it has the flexibility to adopt one or two electric motors for the front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive version. Compared to the Leaf, Ariya's battery is 33% thinner and placed in the floor as a structural element to improve frame rigidity. They are water-cooled and have an active temperature regulation system that reduces charging time. Also working with Renault is the new technology Hyundai Externally Excitation Motor (Externally Excitation Synchronous Motor).
NISSAN ARIYA: ENGINE: SINGLE MOTOR, TRANSMISSION: AYTOMATO SINGLE, TRANSMISSION: FRONT WHEELS, SUSPENSION: MACPHERSON KNEE (RIGHT), MULTI-LINK (WIDTH), DIMENSIONS (LENGTH/WIDTH/HEIGHT): 4,595/1,850/1,660 MM, WHEELBASE: 2,775 MM, BOOT SPACE: 468 LITERS
Toyota bZ4X: Engine: Single Motor, Transmission: Single Relationship AYTOMATO, Transmission: Front Wheels, Suspension: MacPherson Knee (R), Double Shear (R), Dimensions (L/W/Y): 4,690/1,860/1,650 mm, Wheelbase: 2,850 mm, Boot Space: 452 L
Power + torque
尼桑 242 PS，300 Nm
丰田 204 PS，266 Nm
weight
2,121 kg per day
Toyota 1,970 kg
0-100 km/h
Nissan 7.6"
Toyota 7.5"
Consumption (kWh/100 km)
Nissan tested 18.5 kWh/100 km factory 18.2 kWh/100 km
Toyota tested 15.8 kWh/100 km factory 14.4 kWh/100 km
Top speed
Nissan: 160 km/h
Toyota: 160 km/h
battery
Nissan: 91 kWh (useful: 87)
Toyota: 71.4 kWh (useful: 64)
Cruising range
Nissan: 470 km (factory: 536)
Toyota: 405 km (Plant: 516)
charge
Nissan: AC: 22 kW, DC: 130 kW
Toyota: AC: 11 kW, DC: 150 kW
TIMH
NISSAN: from €60,900 (without subsidy calculation)
TOYOTA: FROM €44,990 (EXCLUDING SUBSIDY CALCULATION)