Enlarge / Ars drove an early front-wheel drive Ariya last year, but now the all-wheel drive version is finally ready for these shores. (credit: Stephen Edelstein)

The 2023 Nissan Ariya was meant to be Nissan’s EV comeback, regaining ground the automaker lost after delaying a follow-up to the pioneering Leaf by expanding into the popular crossover SUV segment. But Nissan has left what may be the Ariya’s key feature on the table until now.

When US Ariya deliveries began in late 2022, Nissan only shipped front-wheel drive models, leaving the launch of its new e-4ORCE dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain until a later date. Now the Ariya e-4ORCE is finally here, with cars scheduled to reach dealerships in the coming weeks. It’s billed as not only providing the all-wheel drive option important to any crossover, but also a greater focus on handling quality than most rivals.

Adding a second motor powering the rear axle in addition to the standard front motor—both motors are of identical design—the Ariya e-4ORCE is rated at 389 hp (290 kW) and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque, compared to 238 hp (177 kW) and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) in the front-wheel drive Ariya.