It’s finally here! The Nissan Ariya was first revealed in concept form in Tokyo way back in 2019, before the production version – which admittedly looks a lot like the concept – debuted in 2020.

However, the long-awaited mid-size electric SUV didn’t commence production until 2022 due to component shortages amid the COVID crisis.

While it’s been on sale overseas for nearly four years, Nissan Australia had been pretty coy about when its answer to the Tesla Model Y would finally hit local showrooms. That changed earlier this year, when the Japanese brand’s local division finally confirmed the Ariya for local introduction, then dropped local pricing and specifications in August.

The managing director of Nissan Oceania – which includes Australia – Andrew Humberstone says the Ariya’s delayed introduction Down Under was intentional, allowing the company to respond to a rapidly changing market as well as the federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).

The Ariya will help the Japanese brand offset the CO2 outputs of high-emitting models like the large Patrol off-road SUV and Navara dual-cab ute, and also puts Nissan into the thick of the family EV market alongside top players like the Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV5.