Review: Kia Niro EV
Electric Kia Niro Review
Kia’s Niro EV was something of a watershed electric car. It arrived as a genuinely affordable alternative to conventionally powered cars, while also delivering top-notch build quality and loads of standard equipment at the same time. It was also practical and of a good size for families.
But the speed at which the electric car segment moves means that Kia can’t just rely on the Niro’s popularity to continue without some tweaks to keep it current. That’s why we’re testing out this latest, even sharper version of the electric Niro.
What’s new?
One of the biggest changes to the Niro is its name - it’s now known as the Niro EV, rather than the e-Niro as it was before. And while the relatively humdrum styling of the original might’ve meant it went around pretty unannounced, this latest model debuts a far more head-turning design than before.
Plus, Kia has kitted the Niro EV out with some of its latest technology that we’ve already seen put to good use in cars like the Sportage and EV6. It’s also bigger than before - so that means more space inside.
What’s under the bonnet?
Though Kia still takes a three-tiered approach to powertrains - you can get it in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric setups - it’s the solely battery-powered version that we’re looking at today. Interestingly, it hasn’t changed all that much from the one which featured in the original.
Kia has done away with the entry-level setup, mind you, so all versions now get a 64.8kWh battery linked to an electric motor. Kia claims up to 285 miles on a single charge, too, while a rapid 10 to 80 per cent charge will take 43 minutes.
What’s the Kia Niro like to drive?
The original e-Niro was the kind of electric car that would soothe the worries of a just-turned-electric driver - and this has largely carried over to the new version. It’s all very familiar, with controls that are easy to use and performance which is nicely accessible. It still pulls away very keenly from a dead stop, however, just like pretty much all-electric cars do.
You can also use the paddles behind the steering wheel to ‘brake’ the car; holding a paddle will make the car brake for longer and harder, so you barely need to use the actual footbrake in daily driving.
How does it look?
As we touched upon, the previous Niro was pretty ‘ordinary’ in its design. That has been completely thrown out for the new one, however, which debuts a brand new look inspired by the ‘Habiniro’ concept from 2019. Even on the road, the Niro still looks like it has just been driven off the motor show stand.
It’s a big step up in terms of design, with the car’s ‘heartbeat’ LED daytime running lights giving it some genuine presence. We also really like the boomerang-shaped lights at the rear of the car.
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What’s it like inside?
Kia has made some big changes to the interior of the Niro. The two-spoke steering wheel is a cool feature, while the whole infotainment and driver display section is housed underneath one piece of glass, so it all looks super-smooth and clear.
There’s also a clever feature under the hazard symbol. Here, you’ll find a dual-purpose control panel, which can switch between climate or media functions. It looks really good and is a breeze to use, too.
What’s the spec like?
As with other Kia models, the Niro EV comes with plenty of equipment as standard. Entry-level models come equipped with features such as automatic LED headlights, an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as adaptive cruise control.
You can step up to higher grades in order to get features such as heated front seats and a heated steering wheel but, in truth, most drivers will be more than happy enough with the level of standard equipment.
Kia Niro EV Verdict
Kia has done really well to make its Niro EV even more desirable than before. It looks great, and has plenty of good equipment as standard while being roomier and easier to live with than before.
The only snag is that the range of the Niro EV isn’t quite as competitive as it once was - since other options now deliver far more miles between trips to the plug - but if the outright range isn’t your primary concern and value and spaciousness are, then the Niro is a really great choice.
