As the automotive industry accelerates its shift toward full electrification, a pair of innovative battery electric vehicles are pushing the envelope and redefining what‘s possible without internal combustion. The Nissan Ariya, a sleekly styled crossover SUV, and the Tesla Model 3, the brand‘s entry-level luxury sport sedan, showcase two different but equally compelling visions for emissions-free driving.
But which one has the superior technology under the skin? As a digital technology expert with a deep understanding of the sophisticated systems powering the latest EVs, I‘ll break down the key technical differences between the Ariya and Model 3. From electric motors to battery chemistry to over-the-air updates, we‘ll take an in-depth look at how these vehicles work and compare their cutting-edge electric vehicle technology.
Electric Motor Configuration and Output
The foundation of any electric vehicle is its electric motor, and the Ariya and Model 3 take somewhat different approaches to propulsion. The Nissan Ariya comes standard with a single 160 kW AC synchronous electric motor mounted on the front axle, producing 214 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. Higher trim levels of the Ariya are equipped with a dual-motor e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system that employs a pair of 250 kW motors, one on each axle, for a total output of 389 hp and 442 lb-ft.
Nissan‘s e-4ORCE technology is more advanced than a typical AWD setup, utilizing the instantaneous response of the electric motors to precisely control torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. This allows for optimized traction and stability in various driving conditions. The e-4ORCE system can send up to 100% of available torque to the front or rear axle depending on the situation.
Tesla equips the base Model 3 with a single permanent magnet synchronous rear-mounted electric motor rated at 211 kW (283 hp) and 450 Nm (307 lb-ft) of torque. Dual-motor Long Range and Performance models add a 147 kW front motor for all-wheel drive and a combined output of 335 kW (450 hp) and 639 Nm (471 lb-ft) in the Performance variant. Tesla‘s motors utilize an internal permanent magnet design surrounded by copper coils, compared to the more common AC induction motors found in many other EVs.
This allows Tesla‘s motors to operate at higher efficiency and achieve an impressive power-to-weight ratio. The Performance model‘s 335 kW of power is particularly staggering given the compact size of the powertrain. It also enables Tesla to precisely adjust the power split between the front and rear motors hundreds of times per second for optimal traction and handling balance.
Battery Capacity, Range, and Charging
Of course, an EV motor is only as good as the battery supplying it with power. Here too the Ariya and Model 3 utilize advanced but differing battery technologies. The entry-level Ariya packs a 65 kWh battery comprised of 96 lithium-ion pouch cells manufactured by Chinese supplier CATL. The top-spec Ariya features a 90 kWh pack that boosts range to an estimated 300 miles on a charge.
Nissan employs an automotive-grade liquid cooled and heated battery management system to maintain optimal cell temperatures and enable reliable performance in a variety of climates. The Ariya‘s battery and BMS were developed in-house by Nissan, leveraging the company‘s experience with the Leaf hatchback, which has used passive air cooling for its battery pack since launch. Moving to liquid cooling for the Ariya‘s larger, higher-density battery helps improve charging speed, power output, and longevity.
The Tesla Model 3 battery also utilizes lithium-ion chemistry, but in a dramatically different cylindrical cell format. Tesla and its battery partner Panasonic have refined the 2170 cylindrical nickel-cobalt-aluminum cells over many years specifically for use in Tesla‘s vehicles. The Standard Range Plus Model 3 uses a 54 kWh pack composed of 2,976 cells, while the Long Range and Performance models feature an 82 kWh pack with 4,416 cells wired together via Tesla‘s patented high-speed battery connector system.
Tesla‘s 2170 cells are notable for their energy density of 260 Wh/kg, a significant bump from the Nissan Leaf‘s pouch cells at 140 Wh/kg. Combined with efficient packaging of its cylindrical cells, Tesla is able to squeeze more range out of a smaller, lighter pack. The Model 3 Long Range is rated for 353 miles on a single charge, compared to the Ariya‘s expected 300 mile maximum range. Tesla also utilizes a sophisticated liquid thermal management system to optimize battery temperatures for peak charging and output performance.
Speaking of charging, the Ariya is capable of DC fast charging at up to 130 kW at a CCS port, allowing it to replenish from 20-80% in around 40 minutes. The Model 3 has access to Tesla‘s massive Supercharger network, with most V3 stations capable of up to 250 kW charging speeds. This enables the Long Range model to add up to 172 miles of range in just 15 minutes on a Supercharger.
Below is a detailed table comparing the battery and charging specs of the Ariya and Model 3:
| Battery and Charging | Nissan Ariya | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion pouch | Lithium-ion cylindrical |
| Battery Capacity – Base | 65 kWh | 54 kWh |
| Battery Capacity – Extended | 90 kWh | 82 kWh |
| EPA Estimated Range – Base | 216 miles | 263 miles |
| EPA Estimated Range – Extended | 300 miles (est) | 353 miles |
| Max DC Fast Charge Rate | 130 kW | 250 kW |
| 10-80% DC Fast Charge Time | ~35 min | ~25 min |
Infotainment, Connectivity, and Driver Assistance Tech
Inside the cabin is where some of the most interesting and differentiated technology resides in the Ariya and Model 3. The Ariya features an expansive 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster and dual 12.3-inch center touchscreens integrated into a seamless horizontal panel. The primary touchscreen handles typical infotainment functions like audio, navigation, and smartphone mirroring, while the secondary display manages the climate controls and additional vehicle settings.
The Ariya runs Nissan‘s latest infotainment software, which offers crisp graphics, an intuitive tile-based menu structure, and responsive touch inputs. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, as well as Amazon Alexa integration for voice commands. An onboard Wi-Fi hotspot is available to keep your devices connected on the go. Over-the-air software updates allow Nissan to refine the user interface and add new features after the vehicle has left the factory.
On the driver assistance front, the Ariya showcases Nissan‘s next-generation ProPilot 2.0 technology. ProPilot combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering assist for semi-autonomous driving on highways, and can even handle lane changes and passing maneuvers with driver confirmation. A driver attention monitoring system ensures you‘re keeping your eyes on the road and ready to take back control if needed. The Ariya also offers Nissan‘s Safety Shield 360 suite of active safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.
The Tesla Model 3, in contrast, strips away nearly all physical controls for an ultra-minimalist interior centered around a single 15-inch touchscreen. The massive center display controls all vehicle functions except for the gear selector, turn signals, and windshield wipers. Almost every setting and feature is adjusted through the touchscreen, using an intuitive UI with large icons and clear labels. The screen can also be split to simultaneously show navigation, audio, vehicle data, and other content.
Rather than adopt Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, Tesla has developed its own proprietary infotainment ecosystem. The Model 3 comes with built-in Google Maps navigation, a web browser, video streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube, and even games that can be played while parked or charging. Tesla‘s infotainment software is also updated regularly over-the-air to introduce new features, fix bugs, and optimize performance. Major updates have previously added the ability to watch streaming video, karaoke mode, and a dashcam feature that utilizes the vehicle‘s Autopilot cameras.
Tesla‘s well-known Autopilot suite of driver assistance features comes standard on the Model 3. Autopilot allows the vehicle to automatically steer, accelerate, and brake within its lane on highways and can even change lanes with driver confirmation. Tesla also offers a more advanced Full Self-Driving (FSD) package for $10,000, which can be purchased after delivery and enables Autopilot functionality on city streets, automatic parking, and a smart summon feature that drives the car to you in a parking lot. FSD continues to improve via over-the-air updates but still requires constant driver supervision in its current form.
Platform Development and Future Roadmap
The Nissan Ariya and Tesla Model 3 are both significant vehicles for their respective manufacturers, but they‘ve arrived at this moment via very different development paths. The Ariya represents an evolution of the platform and technology Nissan pioneered with the Leaf EV, which first launched in 2010. In the intervening decade, Nissan has continually refined its EV powertrains, batteries, and software, learning valuable lessons it has applied to the clean-sheet Ariya.
As Nissan‘s first electric crossover and its new flagship EV, the Ariya previews the direction of the brand‘s future electric portfolio. "The Ariya, a key model in Nissan‘s plan to roll out 10 new models over 20 months, demonstrates our commitment to meeting customer demands for crossovers with the most advanced electrified, automated and connected technologies," said Ashwani Gupta, COO of Nissan.
Tesla, meanwhile, designed the Model 3 from the ground up to be a more affordable, mass-market EV to slot below the larger Model S and Model X. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has frequently discussed the difficult development process to bring the Model 3 to production at scale while maintaining its compelling value proposition. In an earnings call, Musk described it as "a bet-the-company situation" and admitted Tesla came within single-digit weeks of bankruptcy during the Model 3 ramp-up.
With the Model 3 now consistently outselling its gas-powered sport sedan rivals, the bet has paid off and the Model 3 is enabling Tesla‘s push into the mainstream. The platform‘s success has spawned the related Model Y crossover, and an updated version of the Model 3 is expected to enter production in 2023. Tesla‘s "Plaid" tri-motor powertrain from the Model S could also potentially make its way into the Model 3 to create an even higher performance variant.
The Nissan Ariya and Tesla Model 3 represent two of the most technologically advanced electric vehicles on sale today. With their potent electric powertrains, long-range batteries, and cutting-edge infotainment and active safety features, both vehicles showcase how far the EV segment has come in a short time. As the auto industry races toward an electrified future, expect to see the Ariya and Model 3 at the forefront of innovation, competing to attract technology-focused buyers with their distinctive blend of sustainable performance and next-generation digital experiences.
