Compare the2025 Acura ZDXVS 2025 Nissan Ariya

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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Both the ZDX and Ariya have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The ZDX has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Ariya’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The ZDX’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The Ariya doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Acura ZDX achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Ariya has not been tested.

Both the ZDX and Ariya have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the ZDX has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Ariya’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the ZDX and the Ariya have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura ZDX is safer than the Nissan Ariya:

	ZDX	Ariya
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	23.3%	45.3%
Neck Stress	164 lbs.	387 lbs.
Neck Compression	18 lbs.	57 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	140/142 lbs.	272/267 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	242	314
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	27%	43.4%
Neck Stress	141 lbs.	226 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	272/261 lbs.	293/289 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura ZDX is safer than the Nissan Ariya:

	ZDX	Ariya
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	55	85
Hip Force	163 lbs.	203 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	295 lbs.	529 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	7 inches	8 inches
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	56 G’s
Hip Force	649 lbs.	1022 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The ZDX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Ariya’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 7 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The ZDX has more powerful engines than the Ariya:

	Horsepower	Torque
ZDX A-Spec electric motor	358 HP	324 lbs.-ft.
ZDX A-Spec AWD electric motors	490 HP	437 lbs.-ft.
ZDX Type S electric motors	499 HP	544 lbs.-ft.
Ariya Engage electric motor	214 HP	221 lbs.-ft.
Ariya Evolve+ electric motor	238 HP	221 lbs.-ft.
Ariya Engage electric motors	335 HP	413 lbs.-ft.
Ariya Engage+/Evolve+/Platinum+ electric motors	389 HP	442 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the ZDX Type S electric motors is faster than the Ariya Engage+/Evolve+/Platinum+ electric motors:

	ZDX	Ariya
Zero to 60 MPH	4.2 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	12.7 sec	13.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	113.3 MPH	108.1 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the ZDX Type S electric motors is faster than the Ariya Evolve+ electric motor:

	ZDX	Ariya
Zero to 60 MPH	4.3 sec	7.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	10 sec	19 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.4 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	12.7 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	112 MPH	92 MPH
Top Speed	131 MPH	131 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the ZDX A-Spec AWD gets better mileage than the Ariya Platinum+ 20" Wheels (94 city/80 hwy vs. 89 city/84 hwy MPGe).

The ZDX can travel longer on a full charge than the Ariya on a full charge:

			Miles
ZDX
	RWD	A-Spec Electric Motor	313 miles
	AWD	A-Spec Electric Motors	304 miles
		Type S Electric Motors	278 miles
Ariya
	FWD	Evolve+ Electric Motor	289 miles
		Engage Electric Motor	216 miles
	AWD	Engage+/Evolve+ Electric Motors	272 miles
		Platinum+ Electric Motors	267 miles
		Platinum+ 20" Wheels Electric Motors	257 miles
		Engage Electric Motors	205 miles

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the ZDX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Ariya:

	ZDX A-Spec	ZDX Type S	Ariya	Ariya + e-4ORCE
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	15.3 inches	11.7 inches	14.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.5 inches	13.5 inches	11.33 inches	13 inches

The ZDX stops shorter than the Ariya:

	ZDX	Ariya
70 to 0 MPH	168 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ZDX has larger standard tires than the Ariya (265/50R20 vs. 235/55R19). The ZDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ariya (275/40R22 vs. 245/45R20).

The ZDX A-Spec’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ariya’s standard 55 series tires. The ZDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Ariya Platinum+’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ZDX A-Spec has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Ariya. The ZDX Type S’ 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Ariya Platinum+.

The Acura ZDX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Nissan Ariya only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires standard on the ZDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Ariya doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The ZDX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Ariya’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ZDX’s wheelbase is 12.5 inches longer than on the Ariya (121.8 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the ZDX is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Ariya.

The ZDX Type S handles at .86 G’s, while the Ariya Platinum+ pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The ZDX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Ariya Platinum+ (25.1 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the ZDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Ariya (7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the ZDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The ZDX has 10.1 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 2.4 inches more rear legroom, 13.8 inches more rear hip room and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Ariya.

Cargo Capacity

The ZDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Ariya with its rear seat up (29.7 vs. 27.9 cubic feet). The ZDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Ariya with its rear seat folded (63 vs. 59.7 cubic feet).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the ZDX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Ariya doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The ZDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Ariya’s (3500 vs. 0 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the ZDX uses the Vehicle Stability Assist sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Ariya doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 9% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 10th.

Ergonomics

The ZDX has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Ariya doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The ZDX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Ariya’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The ZDX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Ariya’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the ZDX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Ariya doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Acura ZDX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the infotainment. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Nissan charges extra for Homelink® on the Ariya.

The ZDX Type S has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Ariya doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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