It also lacks active thermal management. That's more or less a requirement for long battery life.

THIS. The ARIYA is the first EV they've widely released (last year) with any active thermal management. I live in AZ, and all my friends with Leaf's all have had to have their batteries replaced at least once.

All my Chevy based EV/PHEVs have had great battery life (so far) - knock on wood.