Test Drive: 2023 Kia Niro EV | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive

2023 Kia Niro EV

Elegance: Compact Crossover

Colour: Snow White Pearl

Miles pushed: 259

CG File Card
Room and Convenience	B
Energy and Efficiency	B+
Have compatibility and End	B
Gas Financial system	A+
Price	A-
File-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver reviews. All grades are as opposed to different cars in the similar magnificence. Price grade is for explicit trim point evaluated, and won’t replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of all the fashion lineup.
Giant & Tall Convenience
Giant Man	B+
Tall Man	A-
Giant & Tall convenience scores are for entrance seats handiest. “Giant” ranking in accordance with male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking in accordance with 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specifications	201-hp
Engine Kind	Electrical motor
Transmission	Automated transmission
Power Wheels	Entrance-wheel power

Battery capability: 64.8 kWh

EPA-estimate MPGe: 133 town/101 hwy/126 mixed

EPA-estimated using vary: 253 miles

Shopper Information vary estimate (ultimate prerequisites): 253 miles

Base worth: $44,450 (no longer together with $1295 vacation spot price)

Choices on verify car: Particular paint ($590)

Worth as examined: $45,355

 

Fast Hits

The good: Prime-value electrical car that’s sensible and amusing to power, a number of battery vary for the associated fee

The nice: At ease cabin with easy, easy-to-use controls, a variety of top class options

The no longer so just right: Shipment space load flooring too low, erratic idle creep, overseas constructed–won’t qualify for federal EV incentives

 

Tom Appel:

Added for the 2019 fashion 12 months, the EV joined a green-oriented Niro lineup that already integrated hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. In all probability a bit forward of its time, the all-electric Niro EV by no means loved compelling gross sales luck, harm partially by way of geographically restricted availability. The primary-generation electrical Niro may handiest be bought in California, Oregon, and a couple of different “inexperienced” states.

That’s all modified for 2023, as all the 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 bunch of recent and progressed protection and infotainment options. Additionally new is the Niro EV’s function 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 function, however beginning at nearly $50,000, is out of succeed in for a just right choice of would-be EV house owners. That’s the place the Niro EV is available in.

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Observe: Manufacturing of the Kia Soul EV, a spunky and sensible small electrical crossover, was once suspended after 2019, with plans for an up to date model to go back for 2021. As a result of Covid and comparable supply-chain problems, the Soul EV by no means returned to U.S. showrooms.

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The 2023 Niro EV is obtainable in entry-level Wind and higher supplied Wave trim ranges. Niro EV pricing begins round $42,000 together with the vacation spot price, that’s about $8000 not up to the most-affordable EV6 fashion. Shopper Information not too long ago frolicked with a well-appointed Wave in Snow White Pearl.

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The one Niro EV drivetrain pairs a 65-kWh battery with a unmarried 201-horsepower electrical motor. Not like the EV6, which is obtainable with rear- or all-wheel power, the Niro comes handiest with front-wheel power. According to the EPA, the Niro EV will trip an estimated 253 miles on a unmarried price. Relying on the way it’s configured, the EV6 will trip between 233 and 310 miles on a complete price.

One of the important variations between the Niro EV and the EV6 is price occasions. Whilst each cars will price at about the similar charge the usage of level-2 house charging, the Niro accepts DC “rapid charging” at an 85-kw charge, effectively beneath the EV6’s 350-kw height price charge. What this implies is that, the usage of a DC public-charging station, the Niro EV will cross from a 10-percent price to 80 % in about 45 mins.

Right here’s the actually just right information: The Niro EV is rewarding to power. The trendy, clean-looking cabin options a number of glass and smooth sightlines out of the car. The controls, like the ones in maximum Kia’s, are logically arrayed and smooth to make use of. There’s additionally a number of front-row other people area.

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Like maximum electrical cars, energy within the Niro EV comes on temporarily and builds easily—most commonly, extra on that during a minute. The ‘EV is a pleasure to power round the town and has a number of passing and merging energy. The ones in search of it’s going to sense the mass of the battery all the way through competitive dealing with maneuvers, however for probably the most celebration the Niro EV steers and handles with a sporty angle.

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Rear-seat passenger area is usually k, even though taller other people will to find knee-space restricted in the back of different tall other people. Talking of area, there’s a number of helpful stowage area within the Niro hatch space, and a bit little bit of room below the hood within the “frunk” (FRont + trUNK). Observe that Shopper Information does no longer absolutely condone use of the phrase frunk. And, in regards to the hatch space, the burden flooring is definitely beneath the rear sill, complicating the burden/unloading procedure.

One drivability factor: Low-speed using is compromised by way of an ordinary idle-creep hitch. Simply after rolling off from a quit, throttle reaction pauses in short, making easy stop-and-go using tough.

One sadness was once vary. Regardless that EPA rated on the aforementioned 253 miles, our full-charge estimates, in keeping with 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 all the way through its consult with temperatures ranged from 32-45 levels. Cold, however by way of native requirements, no longer particularly chilly.

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That stated, our estimated absolutely charged vary got here in constantly between 220 and 223 miles, nearly 15 % off the EPA estimates. Our calculators recommend that the 220-miles estimate was once lovely with regards to correct, in accordance with our use.

Observe that Shopper Information does no longer all the time have get right of entry to to electrical cars all the way through less warm climate, and that the majority EVs victim vary relief when temperatures drop. We’re shocked, then again, by way of the level of the Niro’s vary relief all the way through reasonably delicate climate.

It’s value noting how a lot high-end apparatus comes usual at the 2023 Niro EV, together with: adaptive cruise regulate, wi-fi tool charging, head-up show, heated guidance wheel, energy sunroof, smartphone virtual 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 concerning the Niro EV to bitch about. If the Kia EV6 is simply too pricey, or should you merely can’t get ahold of 1, the Niro EV might make numerous sense. It’s a contemporary, delicate, fresh-feeling EV that’s unusually reasonably priced and really easy to reside with.

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2023 Kia Niro EV Gallery

(Click on beneath for enlarged photographs)

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