Nissan Ariya electric SUV is Auto Express Car of the Year 2022

The Nissan Ariya has been named Car of the Year and Mid-Size Company of the Year in DrivingElectric sister brand Auto Express’ New Car Awards 2022.

Auto Express’ panel of expert judges were impressed by the electric family SUV’s comfortable ride, superb refinement and agility, which they noted was particularly impressive for a large car like the Ariya. They also applauded the wealth of features on board, and how practical the follow-up to the Nissan Leaf is.

Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief of Auto Express, said: "The new Nissan Ariya is quite simply a fantastic car – it just so happens to be an EV, too. It’s so cleverly thought through, buyers will find it really easy and enjoyable to live with, while it drives superbly, looks great and is the most premium-feeling Nissan we’ve ever seen.”

The MG ZS EV, which won DrivingElectric’s 2022 Car of the Year and Best Value Electric Car awards, took home Auto Express’ Affordable Electric Car of the Year gong, in a ceremony that covered 27 categories in total. The BMW i4 was named Premium Electric Car of the Year and the Ford E-Transit clinched Electric Van of the Year.

The electric-only Fiat 500 was City Car of the Year for a second time, the Renault Megane E-TECH Electric was crowned Small Company Car of the Year and Auto Express’ Technology Award went to the Mercedes Vision EQXX concept car, thanks to its aerodynamic design and over 700-mile range.

Auto Express also gave out awards to the Kia Niro, Hyundai Tucson, Lexus NX and latest Range Rover – all of which are or will be available with plug-in hybrid power.