Kia e-Niro - Should you buy one in 2020?

To begin with, Kia is offering this car in 'First Edition' form, a variant that will cost you around £33,000 after subtraction of the government grant.

It certainly comes fully kitted out. Convenience features include rear parking sensors and a reversing camera system, electric windows all round, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and an engine stop/stop button with a Smart Entry System. Other equipment includes rain sensing windscreen wipers, automatic headlight control, electrically adjustable, automatic air conditioning, heated and folding door mirrors and welcome and follow-me-home light functionality, making arriving home late at night safer, lighting the pathway ahead. An 8-speaker, 320-watt JBL premium sound system with subwoofer, external amplifier and front centre speaker is provided for music aficionados, and a wireless mobile phone charger is provided for Qi-equipped smartphones.

A Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system is standard equipment, designed to prevent accidents due to inattention from the driver. If the system senses that the driver hasn't reacted to an event ahead, the car can automatically bring the car to a stop or lessen the impact of a crash. Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) uses a windscreen-mounted camera to monitor the vehicle's position in the lane, with the system able to guide the e-Niro back into the centre of the lane. Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) maintains brake pressure on a hill as you switch from the brakes to the accelerator pedal, helping to avoid the car rolling back unintentionally.

Cost of Ownership
As previously mentioned, the e-Niro is equipped with a high-capacity 64kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. On the WLTP combined cycle, it provides a driving range of more than 282 miles on a single charge, producing zero on-road CO2 emissions. Regenerative braking technology allows this Niro to harvest kinetic energy and recharge the battery pack while coasting or braking, while the Eco Driving Assistant System provides drivers with intelligent guidance on how to drive more efficiently. This set-up includes Coasting Guide Control (CGC) and Predictive Energy Control (PEC), enabling drivers to maximise vehicle range by suggesting when to coast or brake.

CGC alerts drivers as to the best time to lift off the accelerator and coast towards a junction, allowing the battery to regenerate under engine deceleration. Operating at certain speeds when a navigation destination is set, the system alerts drivers when to coast via a small icon in the instrument cluster as well as an unobtrusive audible warning. As with all Kias, this Niro is covered by a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty that's longer than any other car in the same class. This includes the battery and all of the parts that make up the electric power system.

Summary
The e-Niro shows just how far along the Kia/Hyundai Korean conglomerate is with its electric technology. Here, all the battery engineering has been incorporated in a way that doesn't extract too many compromises in cabin space. And most commentators are agreed that the driving dynamics are better than you'd normally expect from an electric car too.

Would you have it over the mechanically identical Hyundai Kona Electric? The bigger boot could well sway undecided buyers in the Niro's direction. And if you were thinking of a plusher-specced Nissan LEAF, you'd also do well to factor in this contender to your battery motoring deliberations. In short, it ticks a lot of boxes.

[nisadave]

The best all rounder so far. If only you could order one without a 12 month wait.

[JonMoralesLA]

I have the 2019 for 2 weeks now and love it. No more range anxiety coming from a BMW i3. No more guilt and disgust coming from a 18.5 mpg BMW X3 that uses premium fuel.

[neilbrandon]

Nice review. Thanks. The front and rear comfort and design is excellent. The turning circle is great too. Having owned the kona electric, 2 e-Niro’s, and driven many Tesla’s inc model 3 in the USA, I concur the Niro really does the best overall job for me and my family car needs...the missing features should be coming in the second edition model next year. We have a group poll in the Kia e Niro UK interest FB group that details real owner experiences, q and a too.

[johndoyle]

Good review thanks, yes a game changer for sure.
I am on the waiting list UK.

[be]

Kia Niro EV 2019 available in some area of "the states." Near me, there's about 40 of them for sale at Kia dealerships.

[madswellejus]

We have ordered one. We live in Denmark. It is a lot of money, but hopefully worth it. When it arrives, aprox. 18 months...

[foolcellsorryfuelcellmirag]

Great review I am a EV driver for over 5 years. Nobody that drives EVs never deplete their battery to zero. Mostly top up their battery from 30 to 40 per cent. So in theory from a wall charger you need to charge on average 3 to 4 hrs not 9 hours. With this car less due to size of battery maybe longer if you expect to travel 250 miles in one day ie going on holidays

[pompeyexileuk]

Some people's idea of affordable differ greatly from mine. Yes overall the money you save on fuel is great but it's the initial outlay that is the problem for me. I've never been able to afford a car in the price these sell at and never will. Maybe in five years when there is a reasonable second hand market.

[crocmeister]

Another superb report, cheers! The electric car market is really heating up. I look forward to it in 5 years time when I'll be ready to dive in!

[huss]

Advance Plus trim level costs what is equal to around $53K in Sweden, a lot for a Kia but build quality and material are very good..

[timw]

Between 2018 and 2019, the price of this car has rocketed, yet delivery times have remained at about a year. It would be a great car at the original price, and with six weeks availability.

[paulsm]

You keep saying affordable, but it’s still eyewateringly expensive for a little crossover

[bryanbblack]

ordered in July. Spoke to dealer last week, still no date from Kia. Expect maybe end May or June!

[kendavies]

I've just ordered one and whilst the dealer is cautiously stating 8 to 9 months Kia are saying 6 month delivery time due to massive ramp up in production

[fernandovargas]

Perfect car for Boston and Colombia... cool nice

[danjones]

Love your detailed review. Great details. How you do more EV reviews.

[alexc.]

Awesome review, keep up the great work

[Stephen-Benton]

Excellent video! Thank you. May I ask what price per KWh you applied to determine a 9 pounds sterling cost when using a home charger (from zero charge to full)? Rates from my home's electric company, here in Michigan, are $.12/KWh. Petoskey, a small city 7-miles from me, offers free charging (simply pay the parking meter when doing so, at $.50/half hour). Quite a great deal.

I am considering an electric car. Just want to make sure there are enough charging stations around Michigan, so that if I want to go to Detroit (260 miles), I can make it. I am looking into whether this type of electric car makes sense given the infancy of the charging infrastructure.

[brucekennedy]

Another great review of what is a great EV. Can you get one? No. Not for a year at least in the UK so it seems.

[AFlyingCookieLOL]

Canada - $42, 595 248kms range
$51, 595 383kms range