Nissan Ariya vs. Kia EV6

Nissan was one of the first automakers to come out with a mass-market electric vehicle, the Leaf. While the Leaf is still around, Nissan’s looking to the future with the all-new 2023 Ariya. The electric compact SUV gives Nissan a serious competitor in one of the fastest-growing segments.

Another major player in the EV scene is Kia. The South Korean brand has become a force in the EV segment with options like the EV6. Kia may not have the same history with EVs as Nissan, but it’s making quite a splash.

We’ll compare the Ariya against the EV6 in categories like pricing, size, range, and cargo space. Once we’ve looked at the figures, we’ll name a winner for most shoppers.

Nissan Ariya vs. Kia EV6 Price

The Nissan Ariya is the more affordable option of the two. Pricing for the Ariya starts at $44,525 with destination. That makes the Ariya $5,500 cheaper than the EV6 which starts at $50,025. We do expect Kia to come out with a cheaper EV6 in the future.

Comparing the two range-topping trims to one another reveals a smaller gap between the two. The high-end Ariya Platinum+ e-4ORCE starts at $61,525, while the EV6 GT e-AWD costs $62,925. That’s a $1,400 difference in Ariya’s favor.

While the Ariya is a lot cheaper than the EV6, the two electric SUVs are available with similar lease deals. For shoppers that want to purchase one of the EVs, the Ariya tends to be available with lower financing rates than the EV6.

Nissan Ariya vs. Kia EV6 Size

When it comes to size, the EV6 is slightly larger than the Ariya. The EV6 has a longer wheelbase and is nearly two inches longer than the Ariya. The Ariya’s wheelbase is roughly five inches shorter, but Nissan’s SUV is nearly five inches taller and an inch wider than the EV6.

While the EV6 is slightly bigger than the Ariya, the latter has more interior space. The Ariya has more front and rear headroom, front hip room, and rear shoulder room. The EV6 has more front shoulder room, rear legroom, and rear hip room.

Nissan Ariya vs. Kia EV6 Range

The Ariya and EV6 are evenly matched when it comes to range. Nissan offers the Ariya with two battery packs: a 63-kWh unit and a larger 87-kWh pack. The range starts off at 216 miles and goes up to 304 miles for the Ariya.

The EV6 is also available with two battery packs, though they’re far different than the ones that are offered in the Ariya. The EV6 starts off with a 58-kWh pack and is available with a 77.4-kWh pack. The standard pack has a range of 232 miles, while the larger pack offers up to 310 miles of range.

Nissan Ariya vs. Kia EV6 Cargo Space

Cargo capacity for the Ariya and EV6 are similar to one another. While the EV6 has more cargo space behind its rear seats, the Ariya has more total cargo space.

The EV6 has 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats and a total of 50.2 cubic feet of cargo space. The Ariya has 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.7 cubic feet of total cargo space.

Which Is Better: Nissan Ariya or Kia EV6?

We’re happy to see Nissan branch out with the 2023 Ariya. The Leaf is well past its prime and the Ariya is a strong competitor in the class. It delivers what most EV shoppers are looking for with a roomy cabin, a decent amount of range, and a quiet ride. Unfortunately, in this comparison, it loses against the EV6.

The EV6 wins this comparison because of its longer range, higher level of performance, and more stunning design. While the Ariya tops out at 389 horsepower, the EV6 delivers up to 576 hp. Thanks to its 800-volt architecture, the EV6 also has quicker charge times than the Ariya, too.

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, photos and more!

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