Verdict
Design | Consolation | Tech | Efficiency | Security | Gasoline Financial system | Pricing | FAQs
Though the trendy Kia EV6 tends to seize headlines (particularly its hotted-up GT variant), the automaker affords one other all-electric crossover. The 2023 Kia Niro EV, now in its second era, advantages from daring new styling in and out, and whereas the electrical powertrain is all however carried over from the earlier era, it’s nonetheless fairly aggressive with immediately’s crop of entry-level EVs.
The redesigned Niro EV suffers from an above-average value of entry and is restricted to front-wheel drive, however it boasts a protracted checklist of ordinary options, first rate charging time relative to its class, and a variety that even rivals the EV6 with which it shares a showroom. Including to its enchantment is a torquey front-axle motor that provides spunk to the otherwise-familiar Niro driving expertise – a surefire method to convert potential EV consumers from hydrocarbons to electrons.
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Exterior Colour: Snow White Pearl Inside Colour: Gentle Grey Wheel Measurement: 17 Inches
Whether or not or not you dig the Niro EV’s new design will rely closely on what you consider the “aero blades” on the C-pillars. The Kia’s most polarizing design function is paying homage to a first-generation Audi R8, wanting each bit as eye-catching right here as there. The aero blades additionally serve a operate, with air coming into beneath the vanguard and flowing out the again to enhance straight-line stability and total wind resistance. However additionally they simply look plain cool to my eyes, particularly when mixed with the headlights’ kinky new DRL signature and vertical taillights. Should you don’t take care of the distinction, the blades might be ordered in physique coloration.
The Niro EV is as beveled and edgy inside as it’s outdoors. The entrance door panel armrests plunge down from the angular dashboard, and supplies are higher than anticipated given the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf aggressive set. Kia even gave the Niro EV some flash by way of some luminous ambient gentle that shines by the sprint fascia. The one critical flaw inside is an overabundance of shiny black plastic that’s unattainable to maintain clear and fingerprint-free.
Seating Capability: 5 Seating Configuration: 2 / 3 Cargo Capability: 22.8 / 63.7 Cubic Ft
Just like the Hyundai Kona Electrical, the Kia Niro’s hushed cabin and spectacular experience consolation make it an excellent place to whereas away a commute. All Niro EVs come customary with heated entrance seats, and my tester’s Protect bundle included a warmth pump and heated rear seats to assist enhance effectivity in chilly climate. As on most automobiles within the class, the entrance seats are a bit brief on thigh help, however there’s an excellent quantity of room entrance and rear. The broader cabin additionally feels much less claustrophobic than the tall-and-skinny Chevy Bolt household.
The Niro’s cargo area with the seats down can also be spectacular, with an almost flat-folding seat that opens up room for lengthy, boxy cargo – the Bolt and Bolt EUV ramp up a bit within the center. The cargo ground may also be repositioned decrease for max area.
Middle Show: 10.3-Inch Touchscreen Instrument Cluster Show: 10.3 Inches Wi-fi Apple CarPlay / Android Auto: No/No
Each the bottom Wind trim and my top-spec Wave tester come customary with a ten.3-inch digital instrument cluster and matching infotainment touchscreen, however going for greater of the Niro’s two trims provides a helpful V2L energy generator with a 120-volt outlet within the rear seat and an adapter for the cost port, plus distant Good Park help and a head-up show. The entire suite works fairly properly, with two exceptions. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t accessible, for one – a perplexing omission given the quantity of fancy tech on provide in any other case.
And secondly, the radio and local weather controls each use the identical set of arduous buttons, with one other button switching the performance. The issue is, it’s not straightforward to discern which operate is energetic with out taking your eyes off the highway, so you possibly can’t simply reflexively flip down the quantity when Nickelback comes on, lest the auto local weather begin blasting you with freezing air.
Motor: Single Everlasting-Magnet Synchronous Output: 201 Horsepower / 188 Pound-Ft Battery: 64.0-Kilowatt-Hour Lithium-Ion
The Kia Niro EV shares its 64.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery with the Hyundai Kona Electrical, and its single entrance electrical motor makes an similar 201 horsepower. However curiously, the Kia is restricted to 188 pound-feet of torque, down a wholesome 102 over the Hyundai. There’s no denying the Niro feels a bit much less fleet on its toes than the Kona, however it nonetheless affords nice off-the-line response and cheap freeway passing energy.
Nobody goes to write down love poetry about the best way the Niro EV handles, however neither does it embarrass itself on a curvy highway. What EV apologists and newcomers alike will recognize is the adjustable regenerative braking system, which has 4 settings starting from freewheel coasting to complete one-pedal driving.
Driver Help Degree: SAE Degree 2 (Palms-On) NHTSA Ranking: Not Rated IIHS Ranking: Not Rated
The Niro EV will get a protracted checklist of ordinary security options, together with automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, lane centering know-how, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Go for the Wave mannequin and also you’ll additionally get rear automated emergency braking, energetic blind spot and left-turn collision prevention, and enhanced Freeway Driving Help 2. That final function improves on the bottom mannequin’s common HDA by compensating for the habits of surrounding site visitors to put the Niro in its lane, quite than merely taking a look at highway markings. The whole lot works collectively so nicely that you simply actually shouldn’t wish to disable the options.
Effectivity: 126 Metropolis / 101 Freeway / 113 Mixed MPGe EV Vary: 253 Miles Peak DC Cost Charge: 85 Kilowatts
With an EV vary of 253 miles, the Kia Niro comes up brief – albeit barely – on the Chevrolet Bolt and Hyundai Kona Electrical. Nonetheless, its 85-kilowatt DC cost price improves on its platform-mate barely, whereas completely creaming the remainder of the aggressive set.
Plugged right into a typical at-home Degree 2 charger, the Niro EV will go from 0 to 100% in six hours and 5 minutes. Utilizing a DC quick charger, the Kia hits 80 p.c in 45 minutes.
Base Worth: $39,550 + $1,295 Vacation spot Trim Base Worth: $45,745 As-Examined Worth: $47,790
With a beginning value of greater than $40,000 with vacation spot included, it is perhaps arduous to justify the Niro EV, particularly when the mechanically comparable – although much less trendy – Kona Electrical might be had for about 5 grand much less. And all of the know-how and performance of the Wave trim doesn’t come low-cost, beginning at $45,745. The comfort- and efficiency-improving Protect pack is $1,300, with $395 going to the Snow White Pearl paint and one other $195 to the metallic grey aero blades. Add in a set of ground mats and also you’ve acquired a heady complete of $47,790.
Whereas that’s nonetheless lower than the single-motor EV6, it’s an entire lot greater than even a loaded Kona Electrical or a Tremendous Cruise–geared up Bolt EUV. People involved primarily with value may discover it arduous to abdomen the Kia, however a protracted checklist of facilities, first rate public charging speeds, and a decent total vary assist soften the blow.
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