Overview
Korean car maker Kia has been on quite a journey since it first arrived in Ireland, moving quickly from a little known niche manufacturer into the mainstream at some speed. At the start the cars were all about good value for money, however, through attractive design and innovation, the Kia name transformed over the years and now the marque offer an impressive line-up of practical, affordable and desirable cars that has found a lot of favour with Irish car buyers.
Introduced in 2016 the Kia e-Niro arrived at a time when electric vehicle choice was rather limited and with attractive pricing and a 400km range soon made an impact. It provided many drivers with their first taste of electric motoring, but eventually gave way to the Niro EV. So what does the latest refreshed model offer in this now very competitive smaller family SUV market and is it an EV that can help Kia continue on it successful Irish journey?
Introduced in 2016 the Kia e-Niro arrived at a time when electric vehicle choice was rather limited and with attractive pricing and a 400km range soon made an impact. It provided many drivers with their first taste of electric motoring, but eventually gave way to the Niro EV. So what does the latest refreshed model offer in this now very competitive smaller family SUV market and is it an EV that can help Kia continue on it successful Irish journey?
Pros
- Looks good, practical, spacious and well equipped.
Cons
- Light steering and low speed ride.
Exterior
The Niro EV has a bold modern design that makes it much more distinctive than its predecessor. It has purposeful edges and angles that give the exterior a futuristic look and there is plenty in the way of trim and design touches to add the character of a rugged 4x4 look, with, for example, the side blades at the rear of the car available to specify in contrasting colours.
The EV version of the Niro comes with 17 inch alloys which are slightly smaller than the hybrid versions, which look almost identical, although the EV does have a different grille design and front charging flap. A rear roof spoiler gives the back end a neat clean finish and works well with the chevron style lighting strips.
Overall it is an attractive modern look that is pleasing ion the eye and a little more distinctive than some of its competition.
The EV version of the Niro comes with 17 inch alloys which are slightly smaller than the hybrid versions, which look almost identical, although the EV does have a different grille design and front charging flap. A rear roof spoiler gives the back end a neat clean finish and works well with the chevron style lighting strips.
Overall it is an attractive modern look that is pleasing ion the eye and a little more distinctive than some of its competition.
Interior
Large screens are now the order of the day on any modern EV interior and the Niro is no exception with one at the centre of the dash and one behind the steering wheel. The touch screen systems are logical and clear and the design is such that there is a nice flow, combining modern functionality with a more traditional dash design. The system also includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. A smaller touch-sensitive display is located below the centre screen, providing access to key climate and infotainment functions.
The dash and trim have a satisfying build quality, but perhaps the most impressive aspect of sitting up front in the Niro is the feeling of space, with plenty of head and leg room. The seats adjust well to provide a commanding driving position, while to the rear the feeling of space continues, with plenty of room for three adults and lots of clever storage.
The EV Niro is also the most practical when it comes to boot space, with the under floor battery meaning it has an impressive 475-litre boot, plus a 20-litre under bonnet ‘frunk’.
The dash and trim have a satisfying build quality, but perhaps the most impressive aspect of sitting up front in the Niro is the feeling of space, with plenty of head and leg room. The seats adjust well to provide a commanding driving position, while to the rear the feeling of space continues, with plenty of room for three adults and lots of clever storage.
The EV Niro is also the most practical when it comes to boot space, with the under floor battery meaning it has an impressive 475-litre boot, plus a 20-litre under bonnet ‘frunk’.
Performance
The Niro EV provides 204hp from its 150kW electric motor. Top speed is 167km/h and it accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7.8 seconds. Put your foot down and the car responds smoothly and quickly meaning it is capable both on city streets and open roads.
The 64.8kWh battery provides and official WLTP range of 460km, which sounds impressive and does outshine much of it competition. However, it is only marginally more than the e-Niro and of course in real world driving 350km to 380km may be more realistic. The practicality of the range really depends on the type of trips being made and the range plus an adjustable regenerative braking system should mean that many drivers can manage on little more than a weekly home charge.
An 11kW home AC charge will provide a full top up in around seven hours, while a fast DC public charger will take the battery from 10% to 80% in under 45 minutes. It might not be the very best when it comes to charging performance, but it is certainly a very competitive package.
The 64.8kWh battery provides and official WLTP range of 460km, which sounds impressive and does outshine much of it competition. However, it is only marginally more than the e-Niro and of course in real world driving 350km to 380km may be more realistic. The practicality of the range really depends on the type of trips being made and the range plus an adjustable regenerative braking system should mean that many drivers can manage on little more than a weekly home charge.
An 11kW home AC charge will provide a full top up in around seven hours, while a fast DC public charger will take the battery from 10% to 80% in under 45 minutes. It might not be the very best when it comes to charging performance, but it is certainly a very competitive package.
Reliability
Kia as a manufacturer trends to fair well in ownership and reliability surveys. The company also offers a 7 year transferable warranty, which many potential owners see a great advantage when making a purchasing decision. The Niro EV has not really been on the road long enough to build up any meaningful reliability data. However, owner experiences of the previous e-Niro and other Kia models appear to be very favourable.
Running Costs
The Niro is of course a low tax vehicle and insurance should also be reasonable. Kia Ireland do provide some interesting figures on annual ownership costs of a Niro EV compared to the plug in hybrid version of the car. Based on 18,000km annual mileage and electricity costs of 26c a unit, Kia estimate a fuel cost of €1,080 a year for the EV. With fuel consumption of 5.5l/100km the plug-in hybrid version of the Niro is estimated to have an annual fuel cost of €1,368, although this is based on a high litre price of €2.20 a litre.
Keeping in mind the higher purchases price of the pure EV model and the relatively modest savings its makes, for many drivers the added flexibility of the plug-in hybrid version may make more sense, especially if longer journeys are a requirement.
Keeping in mind the higher purchases price of the pure EV model and the relatively modest savings its makes, for many drivers the added flexibility of the plug-in hybrid version may make more sense, especially if longer journeys are a requirement.
Handling
On the open road the Niro is very quiet and comfortable. The suspension is set a little softer than many EVs, allowing a little roll, but overall providing an easy relaxing ride. Like most electric vehicles at lower speeds you might feel a few more bumps but generally the Niro handles these better than most. The car also grips and corners well, with the under floor battery offering low centre of gravity.
The steering is light and fees unengaging which is not a problem in the city, but does not inspire when out in the country. However, as a package the Niro is an enjoyable car to drive.
The steering is light and fees unengaging which is not a problem in the city, but does not inspire when out in the country. However, as a package the Niro is an enjoyable car to drive.
Safety
The Niro has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating across all models, scoring 91% for adult occupant protection, 84% for child protection, 76% for vulnerable road user protection and 79% for safety assistance systems.
The car comes with DriveWise Advanced Driver Assistance Systems as standard. This includes; Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go Functionality. The systems all work intuitively with the driver and can make long journeys especially safer and more comfortable.
The car comes with DriveWise Advanced Driver Assistance Systems as standard. This includes; Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go Functionality. The systems all work intuitively with the driver and can make long journeys especially safer and more comfortable.
Summary
- Exterior
- 80%
- Interior
- 100%
- Performance
- 80%
- Reliability
- 100%
- Running Costs
- 80%
- Handling
- 80%
- Safety
- 100%
Starting at €41,775, the Niro EV is a little more expensive than the hybrid (€37,700) and the plug-in hybrid (€39,700), but remains a well priced model for the level of technology it offers. The car looks good and is finished well. It is also practical, specious and provides a range that will be more than adequate for most uses. All in all, the Niro EV offers a lot of car for the money and represents very good value, especially alongside some of the more expensive European competition.