Kia eNiro vs Kia Niro EV. Has Kia improved its best-selling family electric car? Or made it worse?

The new electric Kia Niro is pretty big news for those of us who like to plug our cars in. Last year the e-Niro was the second best selling electric car in the UK, after the mighty Tesla Model 3. More than 10,000 of us bought them.

And now there is a new model. And it’s fair to say it's controversial in lots of ways. The looks are divisive and some of the technical details make it look like a step back rather than a leap forward.
So we have decided to pitch the new Kia Niro EV against its biggest rival…. The old Kia e-Niro….

Join Tom and Ginny as the compare the two and find out which is the better package.

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[reallycantdrive]

I think the majority of e-niro owners don't really care about the charge speed as we charge at home or slow chargers. Secondly, the ride in the old one is too firm and in any kind of wetness it just spins it's tyres. Secondly the majority get over 300 miles of range as it's so efficient. So for the majority of owners, this is quite a nice upgrade with softer suspension, less loss of traction and more useful features and a lot more than 5 miles.

And secondly, the base model ev6 is missing quite a few features over the Niro EV 4 such as front parking sensors, auto parking, premium sound system, ventilated seats and heated rear seats, electric seats, electric tailgate, V2L, many safety systems etc. So is it really worth it over an Niro EV4 just for an 800V system?

[vivaladokky]

I actually like the sporty feel of the old E-Niro... I will forever cherish the moment I flew past a petrol Porsche
Also the old Niro has an amazing amount of physical buttons, where-as the new KIA cars does not

[Richard-ioxe]

I think it is a little disingenuous to suggest that people would go for the EV6 in poverty spec over a Niro EV in '4' trim fully loaded, because the price similarity is not the only factor at play when deciding on the car that is right for you.

They are not really in the same market space. The EV6 is a very big car with compromised load space for a start.

In base 'air' spec, where it is similar in price to the fully loaded Niro EV, the EV6 is missing so much kit that the supposed better ride and faster charging wouldn't make up for all the missing kit, for me anyway.

[austenchevalier]

"It's a family SUV that behaves like an 80's hot hatch" - Maybe I'm weird but that's the comment makes me very interested in a eNiro and lieklwise "it's softer and more grown up" turns me away from the Niro EV

[SirGregory]

09:15 "... and I love the way it helps to recapture energy that would otherwise of been wasted." Doesn't matter if you use the padlles for one-foot driving or the footbrake, the kinetic energy of the car is converted back to electricity. Nothing is wasted either way.

[boyanbc]

Great time to buy...2nd hand E-Niro. In fact, that is what I did a few months ago and I'm pretty happy with it.😊

[chillout]

You didn't think I would notice you took down this video yesterday and re-posted it today 😁

[pawekropi]

Actually slow fast-charging is the only small drawback of the eNiro, which I encounter once a year during holidays. The new one looks better, feels better, although it's not like the space-ship experience that you get in the ev6. Anyway, it's a perfect all-rounder with decent boot space suitable fo a family of 4, especially when you remove the excessive styrofoam from underneath the boot floor. Higly recommended.

[jamesmansion]

I'm interested in going off grid in a holiday home in Portugal. Having a way to park charge into a car, and get it back is useful. Having a way to go and buy kWH and then feed it back into the house battery in winter - very very interesting.

[MartinMorrey]

Helpful video, thank-you.

Viewed the Niro EV at a recent dealer showing and really liked it. The EV6 is more spacious, and faster charging, but has a year+ waiting list, whereas they can deliver a Niro EV in September.

Only viable short term alternative for our family of 4 + dog is the facelifted MG 5. Would be great to see a comparison between that and the Niro EV.

[stevieguk]

I think the grey / silver additions on the white car (the one tested has black cladding etc and is not the full grey package level 4) looks distinctive. As a driver of a First Edition e-Niro I can honestly say it has been one of the best cars I have owned. I put all weather tyres on mine which improved the handling. In summer I regularly get over 300 miles range. I charge at home so the charging speed is only an issue when traveling long distances and then by the time I have had a drink and something to eat the car is charged. The running costs are very low. No car tax, very little spent on fuel (I have solar) and residual values that are nearly double the sum expected 3 years ago. So the changeover price to purchase the new version (even with the price rise) is okish.
I wouldn’t buy an EV6 as it is too big and the price / spec for the base version mean even the top spec version of the Niro EV is better value. Plus the waiting time of several months.
We have children in car seats in the back so I actually much prefer the harder plastic used on the back of the front seats - kids tend to kick the back seats (mostly unintentionally)!
There is a reason that the e-Niro has proved so popular as a family run around. I think the new one will prove to be just as popular. For me the improved design, upgraded interior, better tech etc and cost to change made it a relatively easy decision to order the new model. I hope it will be at least as good as my current version.

[philmorbey]

How does the new shape/size effect efficiency? The out going shape got very close to stated range which made it stick out in eV world. Does this one? I ask because I belive the ev6 struggles to be as efficient, I think because of the mass of the thing!

[kevinmarsh]

Good video as always but would take issue with your comment about the price of the 4 being so close to the EV6. The EV6 now starts at £44, 165 for the base model whereas the 4 trio Niro is £41, 675, so that is approx £2.5k more for the EV6 base model. If you are a private buyer stretching to afford the fully specced Niro thats significantly more, not all of us want PCP which I guess is where your point is valid.

[Richard]

Getting ours next month, top spec in Cityscape Green.

[Richey]

Videos like this are so important. Thank you!

[awgphoto]

I test drove the new Niro EV in the basic 2 trim yesterday. I was underwhelmed and did not enjoy the experience. While the drive and handling are very good as described in the review, I found the interior unsatisfying and it just did not feel right. I hate the change from digital to analogue speedo with its 160mph top speed requiring a double take to stay at the 50-70 speed limit. It made me feel unsafe. After a very enjoyable 75 mile drive home via Speyside in my current 2 year old e-Niro 4 and a good night's sleep, I have cancelled my Niro EV 4 order this morning. Why 'upgrade' the perfect car? I will wait for the EV4.

[videodude]

What film did you use to film this digital video?

[patrickh]

At 5mins 20seconds in, the dash clock went backwards a minute….? 🤔

[tomfern]

i have owned my 4+ since january and love it. hate the new colour coded rear and old volvo style rear light clusters. i’ll stay with my 4= and getting 300 miles range and the physical buttons on dash as well as excellent display. why would i change!

[johnbaker]

Having done over 30k miles in an eNiro I have never found that it has too much power / performance. It’s all down to how it’s driven…….