Compare the2023 Lexus RZVS 2023 Nissan Ariya

The RZ has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Ariya doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the RZ. But it costs extra on the Ariya.

Both the RZ and Ariya have rear cross-traffic warning, but the RZ has Parking Support Brake (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 RZ 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 driver alert monitors.

The RZ 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.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Ariya. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Ariya ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RZ’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Ariya’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 15th.

The RZ’s electric motors produces 94 more horsepower (308 vs. 214) and 100 lbs.-ft. more torque (321 vs. 221) than the Ariya’s standard electric motor. The RZ’s electric motors produces 70 more horsepower (308 vs. 238) and 100 lbs.-ft. more torque (321 vs. 221) than the Ariya +’s standard electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lexus RZ is faster than the Ariya + electric motor:

On the EPA test cycle the RZ gets better mileage than the Ariya:

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

The RZ stops shorter than the Ariya:

For better traction and acceleration, the RZ has larger rear tires than the Ariya (255/55R18 vs. 235/55R19).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RZ’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Ariya (112.2 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

For greater off-road capability the RZ has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Ariya Engage+/Evolve+/Empower+/Platinum+ (7.8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the RZ to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The RZ’s minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the Ariya Engage (7.8 vs. 6.9 inches).

The design of the Lexus RZ amounts to more than styling. The RZ has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the Ariya (.3 to .33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the RZ get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the RZ uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Ariya doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The RZ has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more rear headroom and .5 inches more rear legroom than the Ariya.

The RZ has a much larger cargo volume than the Ariya with its rear seat up (34.9 vs. 22.8 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 48% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 18th.

The RZ 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.

To lock it, the door handles on the Ariya must be held while closing the door. On the RZ you just lock the door and close it, which makes it easier to lock up, especially when your hands are full.

The RZ’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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RZ offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Ariya doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RZ’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Ariya offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The RZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Ariya Engage/Evolve+/Empower+/Platinum+.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus RZ has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Ariya Evolve+/Empower+/Platinum+ offers wireless charging.

The RZ 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.