Ariya 87kWh owner here (since last week), previously a Leaf 42kWh driver. When I saw the first proper reviews on the Ariya that mentioned the lack of one pedal driving, I couldn't believe it. I always used e-Pedal in the Leaf and really enjoyed how I could basically never use the brake pedal. Now that I've driven the Ariya for a week, I can tell you it takes a little getting used to (as much as getting used to e-Pedal in the first place), but I now just drive in D without e-Pedal, and it's fine. Sure it's not that typical EV feeling, but honestly it doesn't make a difference in terms of comfort or enjoyability. I've been there, done that. The novelty is gone and driving in D like an ICE with automatic gearbox is fine.
What I did have to get used to (and still am not quite used to) is the auto-hold brake. With one pedal driving, you basically let go of all pedals and you're at a standstill. With the Ariya, you have to brake until standstill, then hold it for a second or 2 to engage the auto-hold. I would like for the auto-hold to be a tad more "aggressive", because I often let go of the brake pedal too soon and the car starts rolling again. I'm sure I'll get used to that though.
As for performance, it's very similar to the Leaf. I haven't tried racing other cars from standstill (yet) but unless it's an old or heavy ICE, I probably won't win it. In the Leaf I'd get left behind by a Toyota Yaris (hybrid), simply because of the weight and inability to get that torque on the road (the Leaf slips very quickly). I expect the Ariya is not much different in that regard because it's even heavier and has similar performance (just has more power to compensate for being heavier) to the Leaf. That said, when you're driving on a highway, you will enjoy that extra power and the Ariya is quick to accelerate (e.g. for merging and overtaking). Overall the Ariya is not slow at all, but if you're looking for a "fast" car to win a drag race then the Ariya is not for you. Luckily I've done plenty of that in the Leaf so I've had my fun already.
Overall I am super happy with the Ariya. It drives really well (confident, comfortable, silent), looks amazing (seriously imposing in person) and is very spacious. The suspension is great and I love the seats. I like the rims much better than I thought I would. The "kick to open trunk" works well (contrary to e.g. my brother's Polestar 2). I haven't had a chance to test the matrix headlights, but according to Bjørn Nyland they are really good too. Android Auto works flawlessly (contrary to the Leaf where it'd freeze or crash every 10 minutes on average). The HUD is really good.
I really would've like to get the Audi e-tron Sportback (in Navarra Blue) but that one's out of my price range. Luckily, the Ariya is a lot like the e-tron. It's a similar size, has somewhat similar looks and the Pearl Blue is quite similar to Navarra Blue as well. The e-tron is known to have an excellent charging curve, so does the Ariya. I actually like the minimalistic look of the Ariya dashboard better than the Audi's. Added benefit (for now at least) is that there's not many Ariya's around (only a handful in the Netherlands currently).
Does the Ariya have shortcomings? Sure. I would've liked an upgrade in zero-to-60 time over the Leaf, but alas. The electrified glovebox is a gimmick, I would prefer a regular one. The center console has hardly any storage space (though maybe that's a good thing, I only had junk in there anyway). The trim above the doors is a bit too outspoken for my taste (I'd prefer the dark gray of the Ariya badge on the back). The trunk is only so-so for a car of this size, but a big step up from the Leaf. I would've liked for the charging port to be on the driver's side, but I understand why they did it this way (for streetside charging).
