Review – Kia Niro Electric (2024), still relevant?
Prices Kia Niro
Well, one thing has remained the same. The latest generation Kia Niro continues to come in multiple flavors. It comes as a Kia Niro Hybrid (from €34,495), as a Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid (€40,595) and also as a Kia Niro Electric (from €39,995). Prices easily run to over 50 grand. For completeness, you pay 44,795 euros for a DynamicLine, 47,295 euros for a DynamicPlusLine and 50,395 euros for the ExecutiveLine.
Are EV6 and EV3 getting in the Niro’s way?
So not very cheap, even considering the EV6 is already available from 44,000 euros. Then Kia also comes out with a Kia EV3 that is a better car on all fronts. More spacious, more complete, more modern. Well, in fact, Kia itself is making things difficult for the Niro Electric with the arrival of the EV3. Hence that pressing question: is the Kia Niro Electric still relevant? After all, choosing between an EV3 or Niro seems like a no brainer, doesn’t it?
KIA NIRO ELECTRIC (2024), what does this EV have to offer? – REVIEW – AutoRAI TV
More subdued design
Anyway, taste can be disputed. The EV3 is a more distinct car, though, while the Niro is more mainstream in design. So in that sense, the model may appeal to a group of people who like a more understated design. In terms of specifications, the Kia Niro Electric is still an EV that can compete just fine with alternatives in the same segment.
Excellent performance
The 1,657 kilogram Kia Niro Electric features a 64.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack weighing 443 kilograms. The electric motor has an output of 150 kW (204 hp) with 255 Nm of torque. For imaging purposes, this powertrain is also in the Kia EV9, a significantly heavy electric family SUV. So this Niro EV is pretty fast! The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes only 7.8 seconds and the top speed comes out to 167 km/h. The braked towing weight of the model is 750 kilograms.
Kia Niro Electric charging
Energy consumption is nicely done, as is charging performance. We are happy to explain. The car can charge with 3-phase (11 kW). He top charging of the battery takes from about 7 hours. Acceptable. With a 100 kW DC charger, charging the battery from 10 to 80 percent takes about 43 minutes. In practice, count on fast-charging power of somewhere between 50 and 100 kW. The Niro EV’s charging port is located in the center of the grille for easy access to charging stations. The frunk can also store the Niro EV’s Vehicle-to-Device (V2D) adapter, which allows electrical devices to be powered directly from the car’s battery.
Driving range Kia Niro Electric
On paper, the electric Kia Niro has a range of 460 kilometers with an average power consumption of 16.2 kWh. In practice, count on a driving range of 380 kilometers. Energy consumption turned out to be particularly favorable in practice. We returned the car with an average energy consumption of 15 kWh per 100 km. Neat! So we can pretty much label the Niro EV as economical!
Plenty of space!
Practical is also the Kia Niro Electric, as well as spacious. The latter is mainly due to the 2.72-meter wheelbase, which means the 4.42-meter-long Niro EV still has plenty of interior space. Luggage space in the rear is 475 liters and even 1,392 liters if you fold down the rear seatback. The luggage compartment (frunk) under the hood has a capacity of 20 liters. The “hat shelf” is particularly flexible and occasionally rattles. Therefore, it is not really a hat shelf. This is a folding luggage screen that can also function as a sunshade. The screen – made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – can be folded and stored in a pouch when not in use.
Clothes hangers
The space in the back seat is fine. You sit in the back as an adult person of 1.85 meters without problems. Nice invention are the “clothes hangers” integrated into the back of the front seats. The rear seat – depending on version – is also sliding so you can choose between more legroom or more luggage space. Moreover, Kia has hidden an electrical outlet under the back seat, clever!
Pleasant seats and seating position
The front seats are comfortable and can also be placed nice and low. However, the seats do have somewhat short seats. The steering is on the light side. The steering may provide more feedback as far as we are concerned. Another side note about the Kia Niro: the high-gloss black finish of the center console in the interior looks classy, but reflects tremendously in sunlight. That actually provides some distraction. In addition, scratches are easily made and you quickly see dust and greasy fingers on them.
Conclusion review Kia Niro Electric
With its driving range, favorable energy consumption, space range, smooth driving performance and fine handling, the Kia Niro Electric is still a relevant electric car. But that would be the even more so if the price is lower. Because with the EV3 violence approaching, the Niro may soon be snowed under. It is ultimately up to the buyer. Wait for an EV3 or instead opt for a more subdued styled Niro with otherwise excellent performance.
