This Nissan concept is next year’s electric alternative to the Rogue SUV

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  Nissan brought the Ariya electric concept to CES this year. [credit: Nissan ]

When it comes to concept cars, there are two main kinds. There’s the “half of this technology doesn’t exist yet” kind, like the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR we covered earlier this week. And then there’s the “new model we’re putting into production soon, but with a couple of cool touches that won’t.” The Nissan Ariya is the second kind, and after first appearing at 2019’s Tokyo auto show, it has crossed the Pacific to meet the crowds at CES. And it’s going to be an important car for the beleaguered Japanese OEM as it’s almost certainly destined to go on sale next year as an all-electric alternative to the best-selling Nissan Rogue SUV.

Truth be told, the Ariya did exist as the first kind of concept—sort of. In 2017 Nissan unveiled the IMX at that year’s Tokyo show, which we learned would be powered by the company’s next-generation battery-electric powertrain. Comparing the two in the gallery above, you can see how the Ariya is much closer to road legality. It has conventional doors, with conventional door handles. There are side view mirrors. The bodywork doesn’t have large vertical slashes or vents that could swallow an errant pedestrian’s arm. And the interior is a little fashion-forward but basically sensible.

It’s still officially a concept, and Nissan is keeping most of the technical specs to itself for now, but we do know that it sports the company’s new twin-motor powertrain. The company also brought a modified Nissan Leaf to CES to show off the technology, which it’s calling e-4ORCE. It even let some journalists drive it, which might make this the first time I’ve felt a pang of FOMO regarding my decision not to fly to Las Vegas this year.