The Nissan Ariya is set to continue for the time being, as Nissan prepares to unveil a refreshed, mid-life update later this month in Japan. The announcement comes only weeks after the long-delayed Ariya finally reached Australian showrooms and shortly after the model was discontinued in the United States. In Australia, the pre-facelift 2025 Nissan Ariya is priced between $55,840 and $71,840 before on-road costs, placing it in direct competition with electric SUV rivals such as the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV5, and Volkswagen ID.4. Despite its long-awaited arrival, sales have been modest—only 47 units were sold locally last month, a small fraction compared with the 3,927 Model Ys, 1,887 Sealion 7s, 307 EV5s, and 144 ID.4s delivered during the same period.
The facelifted 2026 Nissan Ariya will make its public debut at the 2025 Tokyo Motor Show on October 29, showcasing a range of design and technology improvements. Inspired by the new-generation Nissan Leaf, the updated Ariya adopts a sleeker aesthetic with slimmer LED headlights, a grille-less front fascia, and new alloy wheel designs for a cleaner, more futuristic look. Inside, the vehicle will introduce an upgraded infotainment system that integrates Google apps directly, providing smoother navigation and connectivity. Nissan has also confirmed the addition of vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, enabling the SUV to power external devices, and suspension refinements tailored to Japanese road conditions.
Nissan has stated that the 2026 Ariya will officially go on sale in Japan by March 2026, with an Australian release expected within a year after that. The model’s continuation contrasts with Nissan’s decision in the U.S., where the company recently confirmed it would discontinue the Ariya for the 2026 model year. The decision reportedly stems from cost-cutting measures and a strategic shift toward developing the next-generation Leaf, which will evolve into a small SUV to strengthen Nissan’s electric vehicle portfolio.
A Nissan Australia spokesperson clarified that the U.S. cancellation “has no impact” on the Australian market, emphasizing that the model’s introduction here remains unaffected. The Ariya’s local debut, which occurred in September 2025, came three years after its global launch. Nissan Australia has explained that the delay was due to multiple factors, including unique Australian Design Rule (ADR) compliance, production constraints, and pricing negotiations. The company also cited market readiness, noting that Australian buyers were only recently prepared to embrace the Ariya as part of the brand’s expanding EV lineup.
The model’s arrival also aligns with the implementation of the Federal Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which rewards automakers for selling low-emission vehicles. The Ariya’s presence in the lineup helps Nissan balance emissions penalties from high-emission models such as the V8-powered Patrol Y62 SUV.
Beyond the Ariya, Nissan’s presentation at the 2025 Tokyo Motor Show will be extensive. The automaker will reveal the next-generation Elgrand people mover and Roox Kei car, alongside several other vehicles not typically sold in Japan. Among the highlights will be the Patrol Y63, the new Leaf, an electric Micra city hatch, the Chinese-market N7 sedan, an updated X-Trail SUV, and a limited-edition Skyline 400R performance sedan. These unveilings underscore Nissan’s renewed push toward electrification and modernization across its global lineup, even as it continues to adjust its regional strategies to balance cost, demand, and regulatory pressures.