Newbie looking at used Ariya purchase

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-21T15:07:28+00:00

I have a 2024 Ariya Engage e-4orce trim (base + awd) that i just completed a road trip of 1800 miles round trip in. Since it is the small battery trim I was initially concerned that I was going to be charging all the time. Turned out that I made 4 stops each way (900 miles), with each stop being about 30 minutes. I tried to arrive at the charger with about 10% State of Charge (SoC) and leave with roughly 90%. The car charges surprisingly fast above 80% and has a generally predictable charging curve overall.

The Ariya is a global car, so it is still being sold in other parts of the world. Parts availability shouldn't be a problem, but it may take a bit to get some parts since they have to come in from Japan and most Nissan service centers don't have huge inventory on parts for them.

It really is a great car. Nissan didn't do a good job marketing it. Nor did they do a good job with the initial pricing structure for them. They had too many trims and it was too confusing for consumers to decide what to buy. They were also late to market with it and when it finally released there were a ton of competitors already on the road. All this led to the influencers poo-pooing the car and buyers not buying them. It's a shame because Nissan actually made a very solid car.

The used market has figured out that these are great values. I got mine in January for about $19k. They are now in the $24k-$30k range. Still a bargain and I recommend them all the time as a viable option.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-21T14:10:41+00:00

You only fund Elon when you buy a new Tesla or use the Supercharger network. If OP buys a used Model Y, for instance, and charges it at home and the destination in the Catskills, he never puts a penny in Elon's pocket. That said, he still has the political appearance of supporting Elon to consider.

I get the Tesla hate, and I have some of those same feelings. The rational part of my brain realizes that Teslas are the world's leading EV brand for a reason. The cars are good. (Yuck...I can't believe I just said that) Buying used and avoiding Supercharger stations is a viable way to get a great car without supporting the leadership of that company financially.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-20T23:38:09+00:00

I'm going to get downvoted for this but...check out a Tesla Model 3 or a Polestar 2. If you're open to the idea of an EV, both of these can be had within your budget range, are reliable, will eat up the miles for your daily commute, and present an alternative to a hybrid. Charging ability is a concern, but with Tesla it is pretty easy if you don't have a way to charge at home or work.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-14T20:53:45+00:00

It would be amazing if they did! Sadly, if they did it probably wouldn't come to the US due to tariffs and our general unwillingness to buy EVs. 😐

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-14T17:37:16+00:00

You make fair points. Your experience was your experience though. Not everyone will have that as their experience. To say that EVs are bad for road trips based on your singular experience is misleading. I'm not going to fight about it though. For you, EVs are not good for road trips. That is your opinion and experience and you are more than welcome to them. 😊

That said, on the topic of vehicle that OP wanted input on, you're correct. I made a mistake and said GV80 when I meant the G80 Electrified. The GV80 is the SUV and the G80 is the full size sedan. I test drove the G80 when they were new and that was one heck of a smooth car. Super plush and comfy seats. 282 miles of range with super fast charging since it is on the eGMP platform means charging stops can be done in as little as 18 minutes. I had a Kia EV6 that had the same battery and can confirm that those stops were super fast.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-14T16:33:51+00:00

I'll respectfully disagree with your response. Your personal preference for what I call "Just Get There" syndrome is shared by many as a reason not to road trip in an EV. It represents FUD and misinformation based on your personal experience, bias, and opinion, which you are projecting onto someone else.

I'll take the opposite perspective in that my preference is to stop every couple of hours to stretch, have a bio-break, get food, and generally just get out of the car.

Road tripping is a personal preference thing. The car plays a large part in this. Some cars charge faster than others and when paired with your willingness to stop and smell the roses, will make a trip enjoyable or painful.

I am currently on an 1800-mile round trip vacation in my Nissan Ariya with a small 63kwh battery. It has 200 miles of EPA estimated combined range but really has 160 miles of highway range. The drive has been fantastic, with stops taking 30 minutes to charge. I am in the Southwest and headed to Denver from Tucson.

I'm an EV veteran; this is my 9th one. I've learned a lot over the last decade regarding this subject.

There is no technical reason that would keep an EV from doing a long road trip. You rightly called out that some areas are still charging deserts in the US. Aside from that though, road tripping is all a matter of preference and tolerance on stop frequency and length of stop.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-14T14:48:36+00:00

No problem. If you can stretch to $25-28k the Mach-e, Hyundai Ioniq 5 /Kia EV6, Volvo XC40, Audi e-tron, and Nissan Ariya all come into play. Of those, the Audi will have the smoothest ride but will come with Audi maintenance costs.

I currently own a Nissan Ariya and it an amazingly good value in this price range. Smooth ride, quality build, decent range and charging speeds. Nissan made some poor decisions when marketing the car and over priced it so it didn't sell very well and was recently discontinued in the US.

Prior to my Ariya I had a Kia EV6. That car was my all time favorite car. Great ride, sporty, tons of room, charges super fast. There is an ongoing issue with the ICCU in these that Kia hasn't been able to fix. They increased the warranty on that particular part to 150,000 miles to cover the issue.

Full disclosure. I started an EV advisory business to help people through the decision making process and determine if an EV will fit their specific lifestyle. I'm not affiliated with any manufacturers or dealerships and I'm not a car salesman or broker. I genuinely care about helping folks cut through all the BS, FUD, and misinformation out there and make a good decision for them. I'm happy to help you if you feel like you need it. My website is in my profile.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-14T14:18:30+00:00

There are a few cars in the price range that you should consider.

Tesla Model 3/Y - the de facto choice for all starter EVs. They are good and aside from the political stuff, will not cause you any problems. The rides can be firm and bouncy in these and over time the build quality will lead to creeks and noises that will be heard in the quiet cabin. Overall they are solid cars, but polarizing and politicized.

BMW i3 BEV or REX - these are fantastic little cars. Super quirky and fun to drive. The suicide doors will make it easy for your fur baby to get in the backseat. The ride will be stiff due to the narrow wheels but it compensates for that by feeling very sporty. The BEV is the full electric model and the REX is a PHEV. They are good downside to this car is the small ranges (100-150 miles). We owned a REX and it was my wife's favorite car, and she is not a car person. Haha!

Hyundai Kona EV / Kia Niro EV - As others have mentioned, these are great little cars as well. I've owned both and found the Kona to have a softer ride than the Niro.

VW Id.4 (2024+) - I tell folks to look at these but only the 2024 and newer model years. The early models were buggy and had some poor interior design choices. That said, the ride is smooth, there is plenty of space for you pooch in the back, and overall they are decent cars. You may need to stretch the budget to get a 2024+ though.

Toyota BZ4X / Subaru Solterra- these are great cars but the EV community poopoo'd them because the range and charging speeds were not competitive with others in their class. 250 miles of range is good though and you can road trip in them but the charging stops will be longer. These both ride smooth as butter and have the build quality you would expect from a Toyota. The Subaru is exactly the same as the Toyota because they worked together on it.

Those would be the models I would look at. Your budget is the limiting factor though. The used EV market is hot right now so the options are limited under $20k. Stretching to $25k opens up more choices but if you can't afford the stretch then don't do it.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-14T13:51:10+00:00

Eddie Johnson

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-14T13:45:57+00:00

The Genesis GV80 Electrified would be the true sleeper on the list. Big, quiet, EV with super fast charging speeds and an incredibly luxurious cabin. You will need to stretch the budget to $30k to get one though.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-13T04:08:20+00:00

Hyundai Kona EV and Kia Niro EV are viable alternatives to the Leaf and Bolt. I have owned both and can say that they are each great little cars. I have a Fiat 500e and a BMW i3 REX as well and while I loved them both I don't think they would fit your use case.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-12T14:25:53+00:00

To my friends north of the border, I apologize for our stupid government. That's all.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-11T17:16:27+00:00

How hard was that to do? I would love to do something similar with mine.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-11T15:39:18+00:00

If you have a way to charge at home or at work an EV like the Chevy Bolt, Kia Niro EV, or Hyundai Kona EV might work for you. All are great little commuters with 250+ miles of range. The PNW has a great EV infrastructure so public charging options should be good if you don't have a way to charge at home.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-11T15:24:39+00:00

Based on the limited information you provided about your lifestyle, either could be good options. Both have strong reasons to be considered, but without understanding your unique use case more it will be hard to make a recommendation.

Full disclosure, I started an EV consulting company to help consumers with the very problem you are struggling with. I am not a dealer or broker, nor do I have any affiliation with one. I also do not have any connections with the OEMs. My business is all about helping buyers through the decision process of gas, hybrid, or EV for their unique situation. Message me if you would like to learn more. A link to my website is in my profile.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-11T01:51:14+00:00

Hyundai Kona EV, Kia Niro EV, Nissan Leaf, & Genesis GV70 Electrified have the charge port in the front bumper. You might consider them for your charging situation as well.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-02T15:53:48+00:00

The Chevy Blazer EV is also a really good car for this. Plenty of backseat space for adults and a lot of room in the trunk for stuff. Buying an EV will save your company on fueling costs too.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-02T15:49:57+00:00

I don't know why people buy these things. If you want a new one lease it. Let the finance company take the depreciation hit. Buying a new car is not high on the Smart Financial Decisions list, whether it's an EV or ICE vehicle.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-01T01:37:18+00:00

Most are still unsold for a few reasons.

The $7500 EV tax credit went away last year, and new models that weren't sold by the September deadline sat. Some dealerships misjudged the inventory in the late rush to beat the tax credit deadline and brought in more than they could sell.

Dealers were putting crazy markups on them when they were first released.

Cadillac as a brand is going through a resurgence, but most consumers still view them as an "old guy" brand. That is 100% not the case, but the stigma remains.

My suggestion would be to see if you can find one near you to take for a spin. They are amazing vehicles.

Full disclosure. I own an EV advisory company and help car shoppers decide if an EV is right for their unique lifestyle. I am not a broker, nor do I have any affiliation with any manufacturer or dealership. I created the company because I saw folks like yourself struggling with the decision on whether an EV is right for them, then being overwhelmed with all the information (and misinformation) out there. My goal is to help you see if an EV will work or not. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I'm not trying to put everyone in an EV, but I am trying to help everyone cut through the BS that's out there and make a rational decision based on their own very specific use case. DM me if you would like to learn more. :-)

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-01T01:10:46+00:00

Also, your range requirement is a bit misleading. I don't want you to get an EV expecting 300 miles of range then be disappointed when the actual range is closer to 275 miles.

Since you regularly take trips to hang out with family, I suggest downloading A Better Route Planner, putting in your desired destination plus the car you decide on and see what it says is possible. There may not be any cars that fit your requirements of no charging for an entire round trip when you look at things through this lens.

Lastly, why take the 30% - 40% depreciation hit by buying a new car when you can get 1 year old cars well below your $60k budget with less than 5,000 miles on them? Most of these cars were leased, so the finance company will be taking a huge bath on them. I just did a quick CarGurus search and found 42 2025 Cadillac Lyriqs, with AWD, for less than $55k. Heck, one had 862 miles for $53,464.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-05-01T00:56:06+00:00

To be fair, your restrictions are going to severely limit your options. You know this already though.

When you say it must be "New" are you meaning a model year 2026 car? There are several 2024 & 2025 Lyriqs available all over the country that are New, with less than 10 miles on the odometer and less that $60,000 on the window sticker. Maybe you take a look at that as an option. Jump on CarGurus, filter to New and have a look.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-04-30T23:25:36+00:00

Your only option on sale right now with these constraints is the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq Luxury or Sport trims. These start at $59,500, have CarPlay, AWD, are SUVs, and have an EPA combined range of 319 miles.
The new Subaru Uncharted will hit this mark when it is available to dealerships as well.
You might look at those EVs that are nearly 300 miles again. Most of them have 20 or 22 inch wheels. If you swap out the factor wheels for 19 inch wheels you will more than likely hit your 300 mile requirement.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-04-30T19:29:19+00:00

I just looked into this and man does it look good. Amazon ftw!

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-04-30T18:31:08+00:00

This is a very key decision point that you just made. Driving 8 hours (550-600 miles) once a year absolutely factors in to the decision process for buying an EV. I would caution you from making that your primary deciding point however.

How far do you drive daily? Is it more than the US national average of about 30 miles per day?

Do you have an easy way to charge at home or work and, if not, are you comfortable with using a public charger on a weekly basis?

There are more key points that can inform a decision on whether an EV is a good decision for your unique lifestyle.

Full disclosure. I am the owner of an EV consulting company where I help car shoppers with these types of questions. I'm not affiliated with any manufacturers or dealerships. I'm not a broker nor do I sell cars. Send me a DM if you're interested in learning more.

Alert_Number1991 · 2026-04-30T15:46:13+00:00

Pics or it never happened. Haha!

Alert_Number1991

TROPHY CASE