How much will the Nissan Ariya electric car cost in Australia? International pricing confirmed for brand's all-electric SUV!

Pricing for Nissan's brand-defining electric SUV, the Ariya, has been confirmed in the USA, giving us our best hint yet at just what the new EV would cost in Australia. 

And to cut to the important stuff first, it would appear that Nissan is positioning the Ariya as a more premium player than its mainstream competitors, with a starting price above models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 and the Volkswagen ID.4 in the USA.

But first, some history. Nissan in Australia is yet to officially confirm the model for our market. With production limited, and other countries further along the all-electric journey than Australia, we have slipped down the brand's international priority list. 

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That said, it's an important model – and CarsGuide has been invited to see the vehicle in Japan, and to drive the EV in Europe – so we'd expect the electric SUV to make its way to Australia in time.

When it does, it likely won't be among the cheapest EV offerings in the country, if the price confirmed in the USA is any guide.

The entry-level Ariya in the USA is the front-wheel-drive Engage, and it's fitted with a 63kWh battery which should deliver a 347km driving range between charges. 

Nissan is asking US$43,190 (or $A67,500 in our money) for the cheapest Ariya, positioning it above some other mainstream EVs. The VW ID.4, for example, starts at US$37,495 (or $A58,600 in our money) in the USA, though it will deliver less power and range than the Ariya.

For perspective, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 starts at US$39,950 ($A62,449), while the Kia EV6 is US$41,400 ($A64,716), meaning the entry-level Ariya is being positioned slightly above both.

The 4WD version of the Ariya Engage (which Nissan calls e-4ORCE) lists at US$47,190, which converts to around $73,850 in Australian money.

For the same money, you can step up to a trim level, to the Ariya Venture+, which gets a bigger 87kWh battery delivering a 490km driving range, but also reverts back to front-wheel drive.

Nissan is yet to confirm the Ariya for Australia.

The front-wheel-drive range then steps up to the Evolve+ for (US$50,190 or $A78,525) and the Empower+ (US$53,690 or $A83,975).

Then there are the 4WD models, which begin with the Engage+ e-4ORCE (US$51,190 or $A80,045), then steps up to the Evolve+ e-4ORCE (US$54,190 or $A84,736), and the most expensive model in the family, the Platinum+ e-4ORCE (US$60,190 or $A94,119).

Now, international pricing is but a guide to what might happen in Australia, but the positioning is interesting, with Nissan seemingly making a slightly more premium play with its flagship EV.

The big question remains, though, and that is will we get it? Nissan in Australia wants it, and they're on the record as saying how popular they think the Ariya will be here, but they've also been unable to confirm a launch for our market as they battle Europe and the USA for production.

But watch this space, because we reckon it will get here in time. And if it does, Nissan will have a serious EV player in the market.