2019 Kia Niro EV Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCalvin KimVehicle Test Engineer

　　Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　

What's new

New electric-only version of the Kia NiroEstimated 239 miles of rangePart of the first Niro generation introduced for 2017

　　Consumers have spoken up: They want an electric vehicle that is full of features, offers a long driving range and doesn't look like a prop from a science fiction movie. Kia, for its part, is satiating that demand with the new 2019 Niro EV.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

2019 Kia Niro EV Insights

Trim:Niro EV EX

　　EX 4dr SUV (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $38,500 MSRPEX Premium 4dr SUV (electric DD) - $44,000 MSRP

　　

Estimated Range Based on Age

　　217 milesThe range for a used 2019 Kia Niro EV is estimated to be 217 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 217 miles.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　10 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　Estimated battery warranty remaining is 5 years or 30,000 miles for this car.Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.

　　

Charging at Home

　　9.5 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$4,000

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Federal Credit

　　$4,000

　　Restrictions: Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer.

　　For the vehicle to qualify: Price cannot exceed $25,000. Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased. Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted. Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.

　　For individuals to qualify: Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status. Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle. Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle. Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$63/mo

　　Niro EV

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　SUV Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　For starters, you can drive the Niro EV for an estimated 239 miles before you'll need to recharge. That's more than enough for most daily driving tasks and the occasional weekend trip. And when it's time to charge, you can hook up to the Niro's standard fast-charger port to add about 100 miles' worth of driving range in about 30 minutes (or go from 0% to 80% in 75 minutes). Otherwise, if you're at home and plugged into a 220-volt wall socket, the Niro's onboard charger can fill up the battery in about 9.5 hours.

　　Kia has also given the Niro EV a robust electric motor that produces 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. When it's time to slow down, you can adjust the amount of regenerative braking, from minimal to aggressive, to let the car send some of the braking energy back to the battery.

　　Another benefit to the Niro EV is its high degree of infotainment and safety technology. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration are standard, as are adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot detection, front collision mitigation and lane departure warning.

　　Just like the regular Niro, which is a gasoline-electric hybrid, the Niro EV has SUV-like styling. All-wheel drive isn't part of the package, but you do get 18.5 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats. And if you need more, fold down the seatbacks for a healthy 53 cubic feet. The interior is roomy and suitable for tall passengers, and the seats are plush enough for all the miles the Niro can travel on a charge.

　　Are there other EVs with similar range? The Chevrolet Bolt and the Hyundai Kona EV come to mind, as does the Nissan Leaf Plus. But the Niro has a roomier rear seat than the Kona, more power than the Leaf Plus, and better active driver assists than the Bolt. It's definitely worth checking out if you're shopping for an electric vehicle.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

8.3 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Kia Niro EV EX Premium.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	8.3 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	8.5
Interior	8.5
Utility	7.5
Technology	8.5

　　

Driving

8.0

　　The Niro EV may be marketed as a crossover, but it moves and handles like a hot hatch. Power is plentiful, immediate and delivered smoothly. Braking distances are good with straight, consistent stops. The Niro offers partial one-pedal driving, but it won't bring you to a complete stop unless you hold the steering paddle. The steering is direct but doesn't translate very much feedback from the road. When pushed, the Niro's suspension keeps the car planted and composed. It's fun to drive this car quickly.

　　The eco tires are the biggest limiting factor here. Better tires might improve things like the numb steering, but we think the benefit to the Niro's range and the long tread life are worth the performance sacrifice.

　　

Comfort

8.5

　　We like the way the Niro rides. The battery pack keeps the weight low, and the EV's sophisticated multilink suspension keeps road imperfections in check without being overly soft or bouncy. The seats are well-shaped but firm, and they don't offer a ton of adjustment. The dual-zone climate control works quickly and evenly, and the rear air vents are a welcome feature for passengers. Heated and ventilated seats are optional, which is a bit rare in this class but not at this price.

　　It's supremely quiet too, with little wind, tire or road noise coming into the cabin. At low speeds, the car emits a futuristic whirring sound that's required to help alert pedestrians. It fades away above 20 mph.

　　

Interior

8.5

　　Kia nailed the Niro's interior. There's plenty of legroom and headroom in the rear — something we've knocked some competitors for not having — and quite a bit of open space up front because of the fully electronic shifter.

　　Complaints are few: Visibility could be better with larger windows, and more height adjustment for the driver's seat would improve the driving position. Otherwise, the wide-opening doors and a slightly higher hip point make getting in and out easy for both front and rear passengers.

　　

Utility

7.5

　　Rear cargo space is likely the Niro's weakest aspect, placing near the bottom of the class with the Chevy Bolt when it comes to total storage capacity. But even so, the space itself is wide and the seats fold flat, which makes it usable. By the numbers, though, it falls short of models such as the Hyundai Kona and the Nissan Leaf.

　　It's not all bad news. There are a good number of places for small items and a sizable pass-through in the console that makes accessing cubbies and bins a cinch. All four doors feature pockets and water bottle holders. The main cupholders are adjustable and can be folded away to provide another bin or room for larger water bottles. Finally, a large rear seat with easily accessible latches makes it relatively easy to install or remove a car seat.

　　

Technology

8.5

　　The Niro's infotainment system is functional and easy to use, but the interface itself looks dated and bland. There are EV-specific screens that show range, driving data and more, which is a welcome feature for eco-conscious drivers. We wish the touchscreen was either larger or placed higher on the dash. Syncing a smartphone is easy, and the Niro quickly reconnects once you get back inside. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. There are one data and two charging USB ports as well as a wireless charging pad.

　　Like the Kona Electric, the Niro offers a full suite of advanced driver aids standard, though the execution could be improved. We like the smooth and easy operation of the adaptive cruise control, especially in traffic, but we found the lane-centering to be too aggressive, constantly fighting your hands to keep things straight.

　　

Which Niro EV does zzdcar recommend?

　　Although the additional luxury features of the EX Premium are nice to have, we think you'll be satisfied with the base Niro EX. It comes standard with Kia's suite of active driver assists and all of the company's latest advanced infotainment features. The fast charger, big battery and roomy interior are all part of the deal, too.

　　

2019 Kia Niro EV models

　　The 2019 Kia Niro EV is a five-passenger battery electric vehicle available in two trim levels. It starts with the EX, which comes with an excellent set of features, including a 7-inch touchscreen display and many advanced driver safety aids. The EX Premium adds luxury items such as leather upholstery and premium audio.

　　Powering both trims is a 64-kWh lithium battery and an electric motor that produces 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. The combination allows the Niro EV to travel an estimated 239 miles on a charge. A Combined Charging System (CCS) DC fast charger and a 7.2-kW Level 2 charger are both included to take care of charging duties.

　　The EX comes with 17-inch wheels, xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, roof rails, heated power-folding side mirrors, an acoustic-damping front windshield, heat-reflecting front side windows, and tinted rear windows. On the inside, you get a height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats, automatic climate control (with vents for the rear passengers), a 7-inch central touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and a six-speaker sound system.

　　Safety equipment is also well-represented. The Niro EV EX comes with blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and a rearview camera.

　　The EX Premium model features LED taillights and interior lighting, a sunroof, rear parking sensors, heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a larger 8-inch infotainment screen with navigation, an eight-speaker audio system and a wireless phone charger.

　　Because both Niros come well-equipped, there aren't many option packages for them. You can get a wireless phone charger added on to your EX model, and EX Premium models can get a Launch package that includes an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink buttons, LED headlights, a heated steering wheel, a cargo cover, and both front and rear parking sensors. Niros sold in cold-climate areas also come with a battery heater and a heat pump.

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2019 Niro EV Highlights

Trim: EXEX PremiumEX

　　

Base MSRP	$38,500
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,000
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	239 miles
Cost to Drive	$63/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	9.5 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	10 years / 100,000 miles