2025 Nissan Ariya vs 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Less Popular, but No Less Interesting

With almost twice as many units sold as the next most popular EV in 2024, the Tesla Model Y dominates the compact electric SUV segment in Canada. This is likely to change in 2025, however, as customers are turning away from the American automaker.

Fortunately, there are many great options in this category, including a few less popular ones that deserve to be better known by the buying public.

Indeed, if the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Hyundai Ioniq 5 enjoy a strong demand thanks to their value and their modern technologies, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and especially the Nissan Ariya, are somewhat left behind.

To get a better understanding of these two electric crossovers, here is a comparison of the 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium ER AWD and the 2025 Nissan Ariya Evolve+ with Premiere package.

Pricing and Specs

Before we begin our comparison, here is a short overview of both our test vehicles:

Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Mustang Mach-E I got to test was a Premium Extended Range AWD model equipped with a few options such as Blue Cruise and a panoramic glass roof, for a price tag of $71,385. The Mach-E Premium ER AWD is powered by a 91-kWh battery (88 kWh useable) and two electric motors that combine to deliver 370 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Range is estimated at 483 kilometres by Natural Resources Canada (NR Can).

Nissan Ariya

While our Mach-E was a mid-range model, our Ariya was a top of the line Evolve+ with the Premiere package, which builds on the Platinum package by adding distinctive 20-inch wheels and a unique blue colour for the Nappa leather and suede upholstery. Nissan doesn’t offer individual options on this trim level of the Ariya, which came with more standard features than our Mach-E despite its slightly lower $69,318 asking price. Power also comes from a 91-kWh battery (87 kWh useable), but its two electric motors generate 389 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. NR Can estimates the range at 414 kilometres due to the Premiere’s 20-inch wheels. The same powertrain paired with 19-inch rims gives the Ariya Platinum a rating of 430 kilometres.

Two Distinct Personalities

Two of the key aspects of both the 2025 Mustang Mach-E and the Ariya are their style-forward approach and their strong but distinct personalities.

For starters, the Ariya immediately establishes its upscale intentions. Indeed, the exterior design feels elegant and modern without resorting to aggressive styling cues. Inside, the Premiere package transforms the cabin into something genuinely luxurious – the blue Nappa leather and suede combination is very refined and sophisticated. The wood-like dashboard appliqué that houses touch-sensitive controls is another clever design decision, though these controls can be frustrating in daily use as they require quite a firm push. The electrically adjustable center console allows drivers of all sizes to find a comfortable driving position, but its packaging leaves to be desired as it offers very little storage relative to its overall size. In fact, the entire compartment under the armrest is taken up by the wireless phone charger, which doesn’t seem like the best solution Nissan could have come up with.

Otherwise, the Ariya is not shy on interior space. The completely flat floor creates an open, airy feeling up front, while rear passengers enjoy generous legroom. However, the rear seatback is too reclined for optimal comfort. Something else that detracts from the experience is the front headrests, which are positioned in such a way that your head bumps into them repeatedly over rough roads. The lack of a frunk also limits cargo flexibility compared to other EVs such as the Mach-E.

Overall, the Ariya equipped with the Premiere package could wear an Infiniti logo without raising too many eyebrows, such is the level of its interior finishes.

Ford took a different approach with the Mach-E, channeling Mustang DNA into electric crossover form. The result feels more dynamic than the Ariya and still fairly elegant, but not quite as luxurious. The interior materials are a bit more utilitarian, but they look good and make the Mach-E feel like a more premium Tesla alternative. The front seats are also very comfortable and the leather feels soft, two aspects typical of many Ford models. The beautiful panoramic glass roof floods the cabin with light, but Ford’s decision to omit a sunshade can be problematic on sunny days.

The Mach-E’s interior packaging is another of its strengths, with generous cargo and passenger space, including a decent-sized frunk. Storage spaces are bigger and more usable than in the Ariya, but here again, there are not many places to conceal valuables from view.

Driving Dynamics

Driving dynamics are another area where the Mustang Mach-E and the Ariya differ.

The Nissan delivers power in an unexpected way for an electric vehicle. Rather than the typical instant torque wall, power seems to build progressively as momentum increases, and it doesn’t taper at highway speeds, creating a more natural acceleration feeling that many drivers will appreciate. The 389 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque feel genuinely quick, even more so than the Mach-E Premium.

The steering is surprisingly quick and the handling is competent, without being overtly sporty. Road manners stay composed through corners, though the suspension occasionally reacts harshly to potholes and bumps. This is where the weight of the battery can be felt the most. Sound levels remain low even at highway speeds, making the Ariya a great highway cruiser.

Unfortunately, the braking system undermines the otherwise pleasant driving experience. The pedal offers virtually no feel or bite for the first three-quarters of travel, then grabs too aggressively. Making smooth stops requires constant concentration. The e-Step “one-pedal” feature helps in traffic, but fails to bring the car to a complete stop – drivers must hit the brake pedal for the last 10 km/h or so. When using e-Step, the brake pedal moves on its own during deceleration, which is very weird at first, but makes sense once you get used to it.

On the road, the Ford Mustang Mach-E adopts a more playful character that justifies its Mustang badges. The steering and suspension tuning are noticeably more dynamic than in the Nissan, and while the Mach-E Premium doesn’t drive like a gas-powered Mustang, it is still more engaging than many rivals. Case in point, reducing the stability control lets the Mach-E get quite a bit sideways on snow and ice, but always in a controlled manner.

Power delivery feels different despite similar output numbers. The Mach-E doesn’t seem as quick as the Ariya, especially when passing at high speeds, though it provides more than enough acceleration for any driving scenario. The one-pedal driving mode is well calibrated and responsive, allowing true single-pedal operation in most situations. Perhaps to make us forget this Mustang doesn’t have a roaring V8 under the hood, Ford included a few “Propulsion Sounds” to choose from, and the effect is quite convincing.

Here again, weight becomes apparent over broken pavement, where the suspension crashes over bumps with enough harshness to compromise comfort. Combined with the firm damping, the Mach-E feels less refined than the Ariya in daily driving situations.

Technology and User Experience

Both the 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Nissan Ariya are full of tech features in terms of driver assistance and infotainment alike.

At Ford, the Mustang Mach-E benefits from a large vertical infotainment screen and a smaller driver information display behind the steering wheel. While this looks very modern, placing most of the controls (including drive modes, climate controls, and even the power liftgate release) in the center screen creates some ergonomic challenges, especially since the software is not the snappiest. A fun touch is the selection of games that can be played on the screen while the vehicle is stopped, such as when charging.

A big benefit of the Mustang Mach-E for those who frequently road trip their EV is the availability of Ford’s very advanced Blue Cruise handsfree driver assistance system, which is among the best in the industry. My tester was equipped with this option, which can be had as a subscription or a one-time purchase of $3,295. If you often drive on the highway for more than a few minutes at a time, this option is worth adding to your Mach-E.

For its part, the Ariya makes use of two 12,3-inch screens set in a single panel at the top of the dashboard, one for the infotainment system and the other for the instrument cluster. Nissan’s software is more responsive than Ford’s, but the layout of the controls is more confusing and some settings take a while to find. An example of this is the battery temperature management system, which is partly controlled via the instrument cluster and partly via the infotainment screen. These are not settings drivers will interact with often, but it would have been more logical to place all related items together. In addition, wireless Android Auto is not available on the Ariya at the moment, although Nissan promises to add it later on via over the air updates. Apple users can already connect their phone wirelessly.

In terms of driver assistance, Nissan’s suite of technologies is competent and works smoothly, making it more pleasant to use for long highway trips. Unfortunately, the more advanced ProPILOT Assist 2.0 is not available in Canada at the moment.

Charging capabilities favor the Mach-E slightly, though neither vehicle leads its segment. The Ariya peaks at 130 kW DC fast charging while the Mach-E accepts up to 150 kW. Since it was still quite cold when I drove both models, their charging performance was reduced. For what it’s worth, my Mach-E tester reached about 95 kW at around 0°C and the charging curve fluctuated a lot. Moreover, the Mach-E’s charging interface provides less data than ideal – with only the time at which the battery is expected to reach 100%.

By comparison, my Ariya tester did reach its full 130 kW charging potential, briefly, at about 17°C, but another charging session at about 8°C never saw a faster rate than 75 kW, which adds a significant amount of time to roadside charging stops. Nissan does provide a comprehensive display that indicates the current charging rate as well as the time needed to reach 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% state of charge, however.

Conclusion

At nearly $70,000, both vehicles compete against well-established luxury alternatives. The Nissan Ariya justifies its pricing better through superior materials and build quality, while the Mach-E seems a bit expensive for what it offers.

The 2025 Nissan Ariya Premiere suits buyers prioritizing refinement, efficiency, and interior luxury. Its sophisticated execution and genuinely premium cabin create an experience that feels a bit special. However, unpleasant brakes, a complex infotainment system, and sometimes harsh suspension reactions over imperfect pavement are things to consider before buying.

The 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E appeals to drivers wanting more engaging dynamics and a more assertive design. Its playful character and distinctive styling stand out in parking lots full of anonymous crossovers. However, the firm ride quality limits daily comfort and the lack of physical controls creates ongoing usability frustrations.

Neither vehicle deserves its overlooked status in the electric crossover market. Both offer compelling alternatives to the obvious choices, with distinct personalities that should attract different buyer types who want to stand out.