2026 Nissan Ariya Facelift First Images Shown Ahead of Japan Debut

The first official images of the facelifted Nissan Ariya were shown ahead of its debut at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.

Just a few months after making its global debut, it appears that the new, third-gen Nissan Leaf EV is finally getting a larger twin, as Nissan unveiled the first official images of the new Nissan Ariya facelift.

Set to debut at the upcoming Japan Mobility Show—also known as the Tokyo Motor Show—later this year, this is the first time the Ariya SUV has been given a major update since its debut back in 2022.

From the get-go, you’ll immediately notice that the facelifted Ariya looks very similar to the new Leaf EV, as it gets a much sharper front face with an illuminated Nissan badge at the centre and C-shaped LED headlights. Also gone here are the side intakes on the lower front bumper, giving its front fascia a cleaner, more EV-like appearance.

The second image partially reveals the remaining part of the new Ariya, where it retains the same sleek roofline as the ongoing model with a blacked-out roof while riding on a new set of alloys. Although no images of its derriere were published for now, we can partially see its new taillight design, which appears to be larger and more conventional than the slim LED bar design used on the current model.

The facelifted Ariya is said to get the same Google-powered infotainment suite found in the new Leaf EV.

Predictably, Nissan remains secretive about the rest of the upgrades for the facelifted Ariya, but given this is the first major facelift for the model, we can expect more than just a minor cosmetic makeover for this EV SUV. What’s been confirmed is that the facelifted Ariya will finally get the Vehicle-to-Load functionality, as well as a new Google-powered infotainment suite just like we saw on the new Leaf EV.

As mentioned above, the 2026 Nissan Ariya facelift is set to be unveiled at the upcoming Japan Mobility Show 2025, which will take place later on Oct 30, before making its way to the Japanese market “later in this fiscal year.” Could this updated EV SUV provide the saving grace Nissan needs as part of its major revival plan?