Kia Niro EV/e-Niro: price, versions, and range of the electric crossover

Available since 2018 and launched in 2022 in a new generation, the Kia e-Niro or Niro EV reaches up to 460 km of range.

In the 2010s, with the support of the parent group Hyundai, Kia crossed the electrification threshold. Like the Ioniq, the Niro crossover offers several powertrain options: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and 100% electric. The latter version, known as e-Niro or Niro EV, has been available since 2018. It is the second electric vehicle in the Korean manufacturer’s lineup, after the Kia e-Soul. In 2022, the crossover received a completely new generation, also available with these three types of motors, and thus a second Niro EV.

Dimensions and interior of the Kia e-Niro

Prefigured in 2013 by the eponymous concept, the Kia Niro appeared in 2018 in its electric version. It’s a crossover, blending a traditional SUV with a large five-door compact car, measuring 4.35 meters long, 1.80 meters wide, and only 1.54 meters tall. The electric version is barely different from the hybrids, featuring a full grille, a front bumper with a distinctive air intake, and blue accents on the sides below the doors. The interior is nearly identical, with the exception of the driving control, which is a rotary button replacing the traditional gear lever. A five-seater, the Kia e-Niro offers up to 450 liters of trunk volume and 1,405 liters with the rear seats folded down, making it a family-sized vehicle.

The second generation was also previewed by a concept car, the Habaniro in 2019, before hitting the streets in 2022. More angular in design, the Kia Niro EV dares more with headlights positioned lower than the slim grille, featuring two-tone versions and vertical taillights. It grows by 7 cm, bringing it to 4.42 meters overall, with 2 cm increase in width (1.82 m) and 4 cm in height. The trunk benefits from these larger dimensions, offering 475 liters, although with a slight decrease in total volume (1,392 liters). The interior is completely different, almost a copy of the larger Kia EV6, with a dashboard featuring digital gauges and a large touchscreen. The steering wheel is more original, with two spokes, while many physical controls remain, for example, for air conditioning. The 2022 electric Kia Niro weighs approximately 20 kg more, between 1,757 and 1,814 kg.

Motors and performance of the Niro electric

Between 2018 and 2022, the first Kia e-Niro offered two different versions. One was modest with 100 kW (136 hp), the other more powerful at 150 kW or 204 hp on the front wheels (front-wheel drive). The Korean crossover is not a speed demon, but its substantial torque of 395 Nm allows a 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 10 seconds, even 7.8 seconds in the 150 kW version.

The second-generation Kia Niro EV from 2022 uses only the most powerful of the two versions. Powered solely by the 150 kW motor on the front, still front-wheel drive, it claims only 255 Nm on paper. However, it can match similar acceleration and reach a top speed of 167 km/h. Like all electric vehicles, the Niro EV has only one gear ratio. While the first e-Niro could not officially tow, the new 2022 model can tow 300 kg, or up to 750 kg with brakes.

Autonomy and charging of the Kia Niro EV

This electric vehicle initially offered a double option, both in terms of motors and batteries. The less powerful model features the smallest battery with a capacity of 39.2 kWh. Depending on the official WLTP cycle, the Kia e-Niro can travel 289 kilometers on a full charge. The version with the 150 kW motor includes the large 64 kWh battery, allowing for 455 km of range.

The 2022 Kia Niro EV skips the small battery and the 100 kW powertrain. Therefore, it only offers the large 64 kWh battery paired with the 204 hp motor. It claims a slightly better average range of 460 km on the WLTP cycle.

Regarding charging speed, it varies depending on the type of socket used to connect the vehicle, but not according to the version. All Kia Niro EVs come with an AC charger of 7.2 kW, and the 2022 version also offers 11 kW. Fast charging via the CCS port provides a power of 72 kW, which is low for a modern electric car. However, charging from 20% to 80% takes only 42 minutes according to the brand. Using a wall socket of 7.4 kW, it takes about 6 hours and 10 minutes for a full charge on the 39 kWh battery, and over 9 hours and 30 minutes for the 64 kWh battery.

Pricing and versions of the Kia Niro electric

As a compact yet family-oriented vehicle in the mid-range segment, the Kia e-Niro offers equipment levels comparable to rivals such as the Hyundai Kona, Peugeot e-2008, or MG ZS EV. It offers three different trims: Active, Design, and Premium, with varying features, also called Motion, Active, and Premium in the second version. Prices initially started at €38,500 in 2018, dropping to €37,000 the following year, including the eco-bonus. In 2022, with only the large battery available, the Kia Niro EV’s prices are much higher, starting at €44,490, excluding the bonus (which is still valid for the entry versions).

Here are the main features of the Kia Niro electric:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 7 Airbags: front, side, curtain, and knee airbags
• Matrix LED daytime running lights with rain sensor
• Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist
• Active lane keeping assist
• Collision alert and autonomous emergency braking
• 360° camera and rear parking sensors
• 7-inch touchscreen display
• Automatic climate control
• Smartphone compatibility with wireless charging for Android/Apple
• USB and Bluetooth connectivity
• Keyless entry and start
• Electric windows and mirrors
• Plus ambient lighting, digital gauges, and 8-inch screen in 2022

Niro e-Design/Motion

• LED headlights (except in 2022)
• Front radar
• Black leather upholstery
• Tinted windows
• Chrome window trims
• Aluminum door sills
• Plus 10.25-inch GPS screen with European maps (7 years), leather/tissue upholstery, heated seats/steering wheel in 2022

Niro Premium

• 8-inch touchscreen display
• Electric lumbar front seats and heated steering wheel
• JBL 8-speaker, 320 W sound system
• DAB radio
• Sunroof
• Ambient LED lighting
• Plus aluminum pedals, electric tailgate in 2022

Photos of the Niro EV 2022

Photos of the e-Niro 2018-2022

Also read: Peugeot e-2008 electric: info, versions, and prices of the French SUV