Nissan has officially revealed the refreshed Ariya electric crossover at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 in Tokyo. The updated EV brings significant design changes, enhanced technology, and improved ride quality — though U.S. buyers will unfortunately miss out on the upgrade.
A Long-Awaited Facelift for Nissan’s Electric SUV
The Ariya has had an unusual journey to market. First introduced in 2020, the electric crossover didn’t actually enter production until 2022. Now, three years after launch, Nissan has given its mid-size EV a comprehensive mid-cycle refresh to keep it competitive against an ever-growing list of rivals.
What’s New in the 2026 Nissan Ariya Design
The most striking changes are found at the front of the vehicle. Nissan has adopted design language from the all-new 2026 Leaf, giving the Ariya a cleaner, more modern appearance.
Key exterior updates include:
- Grille-free front fascia — the black patterned panel below the badge is replaced with a body-color panel
- Redesigned LED headlights — V-shaped units with distinctive three-stripe daytime running lights
- Simplified front bumper — fog lights and vertical air vents have been removed
- New wheel designs and body colors
- More pronounced wheel arch cladding
The rear-end changes haven’t been fully revealed yet, but the refreshed Ariya retains its signature black contrasting roof.
Enhanced Technology and Features
Beyond the visual refresh, the updated Ariya comes with meaningful tech upgrades:
- Google-powered infotainment system — built-in Google services for improved navigation, apps, and voice control
- Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability — allows owners to power external devices like appliances directly from the car’s battery
- Revised suspension tuning — specifically calibrated for Japanese driving conditions and road surfaces
Nissan has not announced any changes to the electric powertrain or battery options at this time.
Availability: Japan Gets It, U.S. Does Not
The refreshed Nissan Ariya will hit Japanese showrooms in early 2026. However, American buyers won’t be seeing this updated model — Nissan announced it was pausing U.S. production of the Ariya after the 2025 model year.
The company has stated it will focus on more compact and affordable EVs for the American market, including the new Nissan Leaf crossover, which launches in the U.S. in late 2025.
Whether the Ariya will eventually return to the U.S. market remains uncertain.
Other Nissan Highlights from the Japan Mobility Show 2025
The refreshed Ariya wasn’t the only star of Nissan’s Tokyo showcase. The automaker also presented:
- Fourth-generation Nissan Elgrand — the next-gen hybrid minivan featuring pixel-style headlights and a frameless grille
- Nissan Leaf crossover — now on sale in Japan for the first time
- Nissan N7 — an electric sedan from the Chinese market
- Nissan Micra EV — the European-market electric hatchback
- Nissan Skyline 400R Limited — a limited-edition sport sedan with a 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 3.0-liter engine
- Third-generation e-Power hybrid system — Nissan’s latest series-hybrid technology
The Bottom Line
The Ariya’s refresh demonstrates Nissan’s commitment to keeping its EV lineup fresh and competitive — at least in markets where it remains available. With sleeker styling, Google integration, and V2L functionality, the updated Ariya addresses many owner requests while maintaining the smooth, spacious character that defined the original.
For those in Japan and other markets where the refreshed Ariya will be sold, expect availability in early 2026.
Photo: Alexey Byrkov
This is a translation. You can read the original article here: На подходе обновленный кроссовер Nissan Ariya
Published November 26, 2025 • 3m to read
