Check Drive: 2023 Kia Niro EV | The Day by day Drive | Shopper Information® The Day by day Drive
6 min read
2023 Kia Niro EV in Present White Pearl with Grey “Aeroblade” (a $590 shade choice)
2023 Kia Niro EV
Class: Compact Crossover
Colour: Snow White Pearl
Miles pushed: 259
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | B |
| Gas Financial system | A+ |
| Worth | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | B+ |
| Tall Man | A- |
| Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 201-hp |
| Engine Sort | Electrical motor |
| Transmission | Computerized transmission |
| Drive Wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
Battery capability: 64.8 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: 133 metropolis/101 hwy/126 mixed
EPA-estimated driving vary: 253 miles
Shopper Information vary estimate (ultimate circumstances): 253 miles
Base worth: $44,450 (not together with $1295 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Particular paint ($590)
Worth as examined: $45,355
Fast Hits
The good: Excessive-value electrical automobile that’s sensible and enjoyable to drive, loads of battery vary for the worth
The great: Comfy cabin with easy, easy-to-use controls, numerous premium options
The not so good: Cargo space load flooring too low, erratic idle creep, overseas constructed–could not qualify for federal EV incentives
Tom Appel:
Added for the 2019 mannequin yr, the EV joined a green-oriented Niro lineup that already included hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. Maybe a bit of forward of its time, the all-electric Niro EV by no means loved compelling gross sales success, damage partially by geographically restricted availability. The primary-generation electrical Niro might solely be bought in California, Oregon, and some different “inexperienced” states.
2023 Kia Niro EV
That’s all modified for 2023, as your entire Niro lineup receives a radical replace, and EV availability expands to all 50 states. For ’23, all Niros are handled to up to date styling, and a number of latest and improved security and infotainment options. Additionally new is the Niro EV’s position as Kia’s entry-level electric-car providing. New for 2022, the EV6 electrical compact crossover has earned awards and reward for its design and efficiency, however beginning at virtually $50,000, is out of attain for a great variety of would-be EV house owners. That’s the place the Niro EV is available in.
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2023 Kia Niro EV
Word: Manufacturing of the Kia Soul EV, a spunky and sensible small electrical crossover, was suspended after 2019, with plans for an up to date model to return for 2021. Due to Covid and associated supply-chain points, the Soul EV by no means returned to U.S. showrooms.
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2023 Kia Niro EV
The 2023 Niro EV is obtainable in entry-level Wind and higher outfitted Wave trim ranges. Niro EV pricing begins round $42,000 together with the vacation spot cost, that’s about $8000 lower than the most-affordable EV6 mannequin. Shopper Information lately frolicked with a well-appointed Wave in Snow White Pearl.
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2023 Kia Niro EV
The one Niro EV drivetrain pairs a 65-kWh battery with a single 201-horsepower electrical motor. In contrast to the EV6, which is obtainable with rear- or all-wheel drive, the Niro comes solely with front-wheel drive. Per the EPA, the Niro EV will journey an estimated 253 miles on a single cost. Relying on the way it’s configured, the EV6 will journey between 233 and 310 miles on a full cost.
One of the crucial vital variations between the Niro EV and the EV6 is cost instances. Whereas each autos will cost at about the identical price utilizing level-2 dwelling charging, the Niro accepts DC “quick charging” at an 85-kw price, effectively beneath the EV6’s 350-kw peak cost price. What this implies is that, utilizing a DC public-charging station, the Niro EV will go from a 10-percent cost to 80 p.c in about 45 minutes.
Right here’s the actually excellent news: The Niro EV is rewarding to drive. The fashionable, clean-looking cabin options loads of glass and straightforward sightlines out of the automobile. The controls, like these in most Kia’s, are logically arrayed and straightforward to make use of. There’s additionally loads of front-row folks house.
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2023 Kia Niro EV
Like most electrical autos, energy within the Niro EV comes on shortly and builds easily—principally, extra on that in a minute. The ‘EV is a pleasure to drive round city and has loads of passing and merging energy. These on the lookout for it should sense the mass of the battery throughout aggressive dealing with maneuvers, however for probably the most celebration the Niro EV steers and handles with a sporty perspective.
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2023 Kia Niro EV
Rear-seat passenger house is usually okay, although taller people will discover knee-space restricted behind different tall people. Talking of house, there’s loads of helpful stowage house within the Niro hatch space, and a bit of little bit of room underneath the hood within the “frunk” (FRont + trUNK). Word that Shopper Information doesn’t totally condone use of the phrase frunk. And, relating to the hatch space, the load flooring is effectively beneath the rear sill, complicating the load/unloading course of.
One drivability situation: Low-speed driving is compromised by an odd idle-creep hitch. Simply after rolling off from a cease, throttle response pauses briefly, making clean stop-and-go driving troublesome.
One disappointment was vary. Although EPA rated on the aforementioned 253 miles, our full-charge estimates, per the instrument-panel readout, have been a lot decrease. Issues have been simply getting chilly right here in Chicago when the Niro EV arrived, and through its go to temperatures ranged from 32-45 levels. Chilly, however by native requirements, not particularly chilly.
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2023 Kia Niro EV
That stated, our estimated totally charged vary got here in persistently between 220 and 223 miles, virtually 15 p.c off the EPA estimates. Our calculators recommend that the 220-miles estimate was fairly near correct, based mostly on our use.
Word that Shopper Information doesn’t at all times have entry to electrical autos throughout colder climate, and that the majority EVs sufferer vary discount when temperatures drop. We’re stunned, nonetheless, by the diploma of the Niro’s vary discount throughout comparatively delicate climate.
It’s price noting how a lot high-end gear comes normal on the 2023 Niro EV, together with: adaptive cruise management, wi-fi gadget charging, head-up show, heated steering wheel, energy sunroof, smartphone digital key, energy liftgate, heated and vented entrance seats, and upscale-looking “SynTex” leatherette seating surfaces.
There’s an terrible lot to love right here, and little or no in regards to the Niro EV to complain about. If the Kia EV6 is simply too costly, or if you happen to merely can’t get ahold of 1, the Niro EV could make a whole lot of sense. It’s a contemporary, refined, fresh-feeling EV that’s surprisingly inexpensive and really simple to stay with.
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2023 Kia Niro EV
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2023 Kia Niro EV Gallery
(Click on beneath for enlarged photographs)
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