Nissan Ariya Dead in USA for 2026; Lives On In Canada
Trump tariffs claim another victim; Nissan is "reallocating resources to support the launch of the all-new 2026 Leaf."
If you're in America and want a Nissan Ariya, you better act quick: the Japanese brand is discontinuing its larger electric offering for 2026, per Automotive News. The model is the latest casualty in a volatile market that has seen unpredictable tariffs (the latest for Japan-imported vehicles being 15-percent) and the impending end of the EV incentive program.
Nissan has confirmed the news to multiple outlets, adding that it is prioritizing production of the incoming (and more affordable) 2026 Leaf. “Nissan is pausing production of the MY26 ARIYA for the U.S. market and reallocating resources to support the launch of the all-new 2026 LEAF, which will have the lowest starting MSRP out of all new EVs currently on sale in the U.S.” said Nissan USA director of product communications Dominic Vizor to InsideEVs. Vizor also added that Nissan would continue to support Ariya customers in terms of service, warranty, and parts.
With tight budgets at the beleaguered automaker, this isn't the most surprising move. We like the Ariya well enough for its smooth ride and premium cabin—it wouldn't look out of place in the Infiniti lineup—but a high price even before tariffs kept it from the sales success competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E have enjoyed. Prioritizing the new Leaf, which we just drove last week and found an impressive entry-level EV in its own right, makes business sense.
While the Ariya will bow out of America at the turn of the calendar, it will continue north of the border. Nissan Canada confirmed to AutoHebdo that both the Ariya and Leaf will be available for Canadian buyers in 2026.
US dealers will still have 2025 Ariya stock on lots for a while, but the EV incentive program will wrap up September 30.
Kyle began his automotive obsession before he even started school, courtesy of a remote control Porsche and various LEGO sets. He later studied advertising and graphic design at Humber College, which led him to writing about cars (both real and digital). He is now a proud member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where he was the Journalist of the Year runner-up for 2021.
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Nobody is buying these overpriced EV’s for a reason. They don’t deliver.
Battery replacement costs are deal killer for me