Nissan has reduced the pricing of its Ariya electric SUV by up to £3,750 and introduced a new entry-level model, bringing the starting price down to £39,645.

The new pricing, combined with new trim grades, were introduced to offer a “more competitive and accessible price point” for the model. Prices for the Ariya used to start at £46,145 on-the-road.

All existing 63kWh Ariya derivatives have been reduced by £3,000 and all 87kWh variants were reduced by £3,750. This price difference between the 63kWh and 87kWh batteries has fallen to £5,000.

The line up now starts at £39,645, for the new Ariya Engage 2WD, which is available in both 63kWh and 87kWh battery sizes.

There is also a new range-topping Evolve+ e-4ORCE version, priced from £59,025. This model offers the highest power output of the Ariya line-up with 394PS.

The two new trim levels join the existing Advance and Evolve grades.

Read our review of the Nissan Ariya here.

Nic Thomas, Nissan GB marketing director, said: “Ariya is a key pillar of the Nissan line up and these two new variants will make Ariya more appealing to a much wider audience. Nissan’s electrification strategy involves making EVs more accessible and a new entry grade and new top spec variant, both timed with our enhanced pricing, are working to deliver a more enticing customer proposition, based on both price and performance.”

The Nissan Ariya Engage delivers 251 (63kWh) or 330 (87kWh) miles of range and comes equipped with dual 12-inch TFT screens, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, fabric seats, rear view camera, heat pump, Intelligent Cruise Control, LED headlamps with high-beam assist, automatic folding door mirrors and 19-inch alloy wheels with aero covers.

The range-topping Ariya Evolve+ offers an improved power output over the existing Evolve grade. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds and offers a range of 310 miles.

In addition to all the features of the Evolve – such as a panoramic retracting sunroof, Intelligent Rear View Mirror, head-up display, power-adjustable centre console and steering column, Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio, Bose 10-speaker stereo and temperature-controlled front seats – Evolve+ also features 20-inch alloy wheels with aero covers and Nappa Blue leather seat trim.

Tesla faced criticism when it cut prices of its Model 3 and Model Y cars earlier this year, but sales of both models have since soared and they are now the top-selling electric cars in the UK.