Electric Vehicle - Kia Niro

Electric Vehicle - Kia Niro 

Model Overview

Introduced in 2019, the Kia Niro EV is this Korean brand's most serious electric vehicle yet. Inside the Niro's compact wagon body, Kia packs a battery that promises impressive driving range along with useful space. Of three distinct versions of the Niro, this is the most advanced, but presents its high-tech drivetrain with easy-to-digest styling and an agreeable driving feel. Like most of Kia's products, the Niro EV is also a good value.

• HIGHSDecent driving range, handsome design inside and out, generous standard features.
• LOWSTepid acceleration, banal handling, not eligible for governmental EV rebates.
• VERDICTThe Niro EV is a well-rounded and smartly-outfitted EV SUV but its rivals offer more excitement and are more desirable as a result.

Introducing the All-New Kia Niro EV

As an all-electric version of the already eco-friendly Niro SUV, the All-New Kia Niro EV offers an unrivalled emissions-free driving range as well as impressive performance. A key part of Kia's push towards a full line-up of environmentally-friendly vehicles, the All-New Niro EV is ready for today and tomorrow, sacrificing nothing in the name of efficiency.

Differentiated from the hybrid models by its unique design features and two-tone closed grille, the Niro EV retains the practicality of the HEV and PHEV variants, and capitalises on the sound proofing and padding to ensure a near-silent driving experience.

With its premium-effect recycled cabin materials, the All-New Niro sets a sustainability benchmark for the future of the competitive SUV segment, especially when paired with the intuitive technology and ultra-efficient powertrain that's present in the Niro EV.

Overview

Thanks to intriguing lighting elements and two-tone body panels, the redesigned 2023 Kia Niro EV is a lot more noticeable on the road than its predecessor. The all-electric subcompact SUV also has a snazzier interior that includes distinctive styling and digitized instruments. Kia touts the extensive use of recycled materials inside, too. The new Niro EV features a 201-hp electric motor feeding the front wheels. Although that's a higher horsepower number than the Niro hybrid models (reviewed separately), the EV's acceleration feels far milder. A 64.8-kWh battery offers up to 253 miles of range and Kia claims it can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in about 45 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The Niro EV has an estimated range of 253 miles per charge, which is 14 miles more than its predecessor's 239-mile range. The 2023 Niro EV uses a 64.8-kWh battery pack that when connected to a DC fast charger is said to be able to charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 45 minutes. During our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, the Niro delivered 210 miles of driving before needing to be recharged.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the 2023 Niro EV looks completely different than its predecessor. Kia's designers have incorporated angled surfaces into the door panels and the top of the dashboard. The digital instrument panel and infotainment display highlight the cabin's technical vibe. The steering wheel has a distinctive two-spoke design, and the center console hosts a rotary shifter along with other miscellaneous controls. Kia says the interior contains recycled materials, and elements from eucalyptus leaves were used to make the seats. Small-item storage appears to be plentiful, with what looks to be large door pockets and useful cubbies in the center console.

Interior

Photos and Images of the Kia Niro Interior

The process of getting into and starting the Niro S requires you to fish the key fob from your pocket and press a button, and starting (in silence due to the e-motor) requires you twist the key in an ignition barrel – feels a bit old hat in 2023!

At least the side mirrors automatically fold in and out when you lock and unlock.

The cloth and synthetic leather seats struck me as flat in the base and therefore lacking thigh support in corners, although they do move electrically, and alongside the telescopic wheel column allow people of most shapes and sizes to find an ergonomically friendly position.

The design is quite interesting, making use of angles and interesting shapes – exemplified in no greater fashion than the unusual two-spoke steering wheel with Kia’s swish new branding, which also happens to be made of rental-spec polyurethane rather than wrapped in leather.

Behind this sits a crisp, basic digital cluster that changes colour when you adjust the driving mode between Eco and Sport. The speed and tacho flank a central display that shows you trip data, tells you what the hybrid system is up to, and shows a live animation of the lane-keeping aid.

Left of this is a slab of drab plastic, with the 8.0-inch touchscreen appearing quite small in this context.

Kia Niro Safety Rating

The new Niro hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP, but Kia says it’s likely to be put through its paces during the third quarter of 2023.

The brand is naturally targeting a five-star rating for both models.

Standard equipment on both the S and GT-Line atop eight airbags includes:

• Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Junction AEB (prevents driver from pulling into traffic if it detects a t-bone accident)
• Lane-keep assist with active lane-centring
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Blind-spot assist
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Driver attention monitoring

Charging

Coming with a CCS charging port as standard, Kia have designed the Niro EV to be as convenient and time-efficient as possible. When using a compatible DC rapid charger, a 10 to 80 percent recharge takes just 43 minutes, allowing you to top the batteries up in the shortest of times.

Drivers will also have the option to select a charging point as their destination, and when doing so, the system will use navigation-based data to pre-heat the batteries to their optimal temperature for charging, reducing wait times when at the charging point.

The Kia Connect app can also be used for various functions, including the option to view and control the Niro EV's charging status, plan a route that incorporates charging points where required, view real-time traffic alerts, and find their nearest charging station.

The Kia Niro EV also has a handy feature named 'Vehicle-to-Device' which essentially turns the car into a portable energy source, allowing you to charge and operate devices such as a vacuum when cleaning the car, or a laptop when on an important business trip.