Nissan has finally announced prices for its new Ariya electric SUV - and they’re higher than expected. 

The cheapest model starts at £41,845 while the range tops out at a hefty £58,440. That makes it more expensive that rivals such as the Kia EV6, but Nissan claims the Ariya's resale values are higher than all the leading rivals, meaning the finance and lease payments for most customers will be similar to cheaper models.

The Japanese carmaker revealed the Ariya back in July 2020 but only now has it priced up and opened order books. UK buyers will have to wait even longer to actually take the keys to their Ariyas, as deliveries are scheduled for summer 2022.

The model line-up comprises 'Advance', 'Evolve', 'e-4ORCE Evolve' and 'e-4ORCE Performance'. It's only the entry-level Advance that gets the smaller 63kWh battery, with the others getting an 87kWh battery.

The two-wheel drive 63kWh Advance has a 214bhp electric motor and can travel up to 223 miles, with Nissan calling this model ideal for drivers in 'urban and suburban areas'. 

The 87kWh models come with two- and all-wheel drive, with the Evolve model packing a 239bhp electric motor, and the e-4ORCE Evolve using two motors for a total of 302bhp. These models can travel up to 310 and 285 miles respectively.

Sitting at the top of the range is the e-4ORCE Performance. It has the same 124mph top speed as the e-4ORCE, but gets to 62mph 0.6 seconds faster at 5.1 seconds thanks to its 389bhp twin electric motors. It can cover 248 miles before needing to be topped up. Prices for this model start at a very hefty £58,440 and sit slap bang in the Tesla Model Y price range.

In surprising move, Nissan has ditched the CHAdeMO rapid charging format used with the Leaf and e-NV200, instead fitting the more widely used CCS format for European models. 

Meanwhile, a 22kW on-board charger is standard on all models bar the entry-level Advance, where it costs an extra £895. 

The Ariya is a new pure-electric SUV – or 'coupe crossover' in Nissan-speak – and goes up against some formidable competition in the shape of the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4 and Volvo XC40 Recharge. At 4,595mm, it's shorter than the Model Y but longer than the Volvo and Nissan’s own conventionally-powered Qashqai.

Nissan has taken its time in revealing prices, but deliveries don't start until summer 2022