Take a look at Drive: 2023 Kia Niro EV | The Day by day Drive | Client Information® The Day by day Drive
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2023 Kia Niro EV in Present White Pearl with Grey “Aeroblade” (a $590 shade possibility)
2023 Kia Niro EV
Class: Compact Crossover
Coloration: Snow White Pearl
Miles pushed: 259
CG Report Card | |
---|---|
Room and Consolation | B |
Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
Match and End | B |
Gasoline Economic system | A+ |
Worth | A- |
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not replicate Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
Huge & Tall Consolation | |
Huge Man | B+ |
Tall Man | A- |
Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
Drivetrain | |
Engine Specs | 201-hp |
Engine Sort | Electrical motor |
Transmission | Automated 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
Client Information vary estimate (perfect situations): 253 miles
Base worth: $44,450 (not together with $1295 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Particular paint ($590)
Value as examined: $45,355
Fast Hits
The good: Excessive-value electrical car that’s sensible and enjoyable to drive, loads of battery vary for the value
The nice: Snug cabin with easy, easy-to-use controls, a lot of premium options
The not so good: Cargo space load ground 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 slightly forward of its time, the all-electric Niro EV by no means loved compelling gross sales success, harm 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 the complete Niro lineup receives an intensive 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 improved security 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 efficiency, however beginning at nearly $50,000, is out of attain for an excellent variety of would-be EV homeowners. That’s the place the Niro EV is available in.
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2023 Kia Niro EV
Observe: 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. Client Information just lately hung out 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.
Some of the important variations between the Niro EV and the EV6 is cost instances. Whereas each automobiles will cost at about the identical fee utilizing level-2 house charging, the Niro accepts DC “quick charging” at an 85-kw fee, properly under the EV6’s 350-kw peak cost fee. What this implies is that, utilizing a DC public-charging station, the Niro EV will go from a 10-percent cost to 80 % 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 car. The controls, like these in most Kia’s, are logically arrayed and straightforward to make use of. There’s additionally loads of front-row individuals house.
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2023 Kia Niro EV
Like most electrical automobiles, energy within the Niro EV comes on rapidly and builds easily—largely, extra on that in a minute. The ‘EV is a pleasure to drive round city and has loads of passing and merging energy. These in search of it’ll sense the mass of the battery throughout aggressive dealing with maneuvers, however for probably the most social gathering the Niro EV steers and handles with a sporty perspective.
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2023 Kia Niro EV
Rear-seat passenger house is mostly okay, although taller of us will discover knee-space restricted behind different tall of us. Talking of house, there’s loads of helpful stowage house within the Niro hatch space, and slightly little bit of room underneath the hood within the “frunk” (FRont + trUNK). Observe that Client Information doesn’t absolutely condone use of the phrase frunk. And, relating to the hatch space, the load ground is properly under the rear sill, complicating the load/unloading course of.
One drivability challenge: Low-speed driving is compromised by an odd idle-creep hitch. Simply after rolling off from a cease, throttle response pauses briefly, making easy stop-and-go driving tough.
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 absolutely charged vary got here in constantly between 220 and 223 miles, nearly 15 % off the EPA estimates. Our calculators counsel that the 220-miles estimate was fairly near correct, primarily based on our use.
Observe that Client Information doesn’t all the time have entry to electrical automobiles throughout colder climate, and that the majority EVs sufferer vary discount when temperatures drop. We’re shocked, nonetheless, by the diploma of the Niro’s vary discount throughout comparatively delicate climate.
It’s value noting how a lot high-end gear comes commonplace on the 2023 Niro EV, together with: adaptive cruise management, wi-fi machine 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 concerning the Niro EV to complain about. If the Kia EV6 is simply too costly, or for those who merely can’t get ahold of 1, the Niro EV could make quite a lot of sense. It’s a contemporary, refined, fresh-feeling EV that’s surprisingly reasonably priced and really simple to dwell with.
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2023 Kia Niro EV
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2023 Kia Niro EV Gallery
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