2019 Kia Niro EV: Test Drive Review

Kia Niro EV is now on sale in the US and has been on sale in Europe for a while: now it's my turn to test drive it and review it with my first impression video from Santa Cruz, California! Special guest appearance by Electrek's Fred Lambert.

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[jeffreyh]

I am living in the Netherlands and I have an eNiro. I am very happy with it. Good range, good quality and a good acceleration.

[jeffhawkins]

I am waiting to buy an e-Niro. I currently drive a Kia Soul EV. It just came off lease. My wife drives a Bolt. Although BEV cars are more expensive we would not consider going back to an ICE car. EVs are just so much better cars. So when I look at the e-Niro I don't consider what the ICE version costs, I only compare it to other EVs. None of the Tesla's meet our needs. The 3 and S are sedans, don't want that, and the X is too big and funky for our wishes. I could be happy with a second Bolt but prefer that our second car be a little bit bigger, which the e-Niro is. At this point in time the e-Niro is the best fit for our needs.

As far as I can tell, nobody can sell a $35K EV with 200+ range for a profit. Until they can, sales will be limited. I don't blame the manufacturers for not promoting cars that sell for a loss. Tesla is lucky that that their fans are willing to spend $50K plus for what was supposed to be a $35K car. The other automakers can't pull that off.

[KilowattMotors]

The car is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Wanted a crossover, ev and over 200 mi range. Definitely out of my ideal price range at 45K. I’d go for the base model but I really like the sunroof and heated seats feature. 😕

[gregorpirie]

The thing for me is the charging. I live in a flat with only street parking. Solve this and I will for sure get one.

[MarkLLawrence]

Anyone else keep hearing about Audi delaying or slowing down E-Tron because they would have to sell 600, 000 units to break even?

[theexmann]

The issue is still price when compared to an ICE model though the rebates and tax credits help a lot. But even more important than price is the charging speed and the charger infrastructure. The Niro EV supposedly can change at 100kw but many reviewers have shown that the real life charge speed is around 72kw. That's still a little too slow. If it was in the Tesla range of 100-120kw, then people would feel better about paying the price of this car. And then you need to consider where you live and do you have access to a garage to install a 2nd level charger which is another additional cost compared to ICE cars. There needs to be more level 3 chargers too. They are still too few of them. A level 2 charger will take too long if it's not in your garage.

Again, more than range, I wish this car would charge faster. I would rather have a smaller 200 mile range car that can charge at 150wk because 9/10 times, a 200 mile range is way more than enough. But when I do need the hyper range for a long trip, stopping for 15-20 minutes to another 160 miles would be great and easily do-able.

[UKScenery]

No Battery's Alex, so limited production, like all these Tesla alternatives, it's not an alternative until they can produce enough of them. Went into KIA showroom yesterday (UK), "does it have to be Electric?" said the sales men, explaining it could be Mid 2020, if I ordered now.

[DersimLondon]

Here in the UK there is only one spec which is the top spec. Wish more car companies would do this. If I was due upgrade I would get this now. Here we have 7 year warranty with 100k miles. This is a great family car

[simonfleming]

Hi from the UK, This is probably gonna be my next car in a couple of years time.

[yungprototype]

Looks like Alex made the news again just watched this video then read an article in InsideEV's and it was about this very video good job Alex !

[alanshaw]

I have the Hybrid after having VW diesels. After a year I still really love it. An Ev's would be nice but here in Western Canada, the infrastructure for EV's is sadly lacking.

[iu]

Memory seats were removed for the US and UK markets. That's what is missing for me.

[dslynx]

Only problem I can see is availability. If I can't walk into a dealer, test drive one, and buy it.. it's not really an option to me. I'd be looking at the base model if it's in the $35k range. Minus 7.5k over 3 years for taxes and another $10k savings over 5 years in gas (in my case), it's definitely not a bad deal.

[RDrakeSans]

Far too expensive as opposed to a conventional Niro. Kia/Hyundai is not making these cars with cold weather packages which precludes 60% of the U.S. I'm really sad about this. I've looked for a quality electric vehicle with substantial range without the payment for a house. Unfortunately Kia/Hyundai fall short in those departments. I'll sadly

[thegreatpaulsmith]

It's 2x the price of the ICE version
If it was $34k optioned out and after incentives, it would be a no brainer.

[fabiolopes]

Did you say ( drive your kids to work) lol, Anyway love your videos, good work, nice car

[StefQck]

I will have to wait a bit... there seems to have a few problems... like the charging pannel can freeze and snow can enter in your charging sockets, and you cannot get good charging speed when it's freezing cold. In Canada... things tend to freeze... so it is pretty important. So I willl probably buy one one in two or three years... Sorry for my English

[jarrodhollie]

I think at that price I rather wait for Byton

[marcbruneel]

Indeed it's twice a cheap gas Car, also in europe. But with the European gas prices after 4 years it's cheaper in the running. I've ordered one! It's Just making the right priority

[johngowers]

Uk
I here they only made a batch of 900
They allready sold out
Next batch be in next quarter

Yes I want one put they not make enough

Second choice Nissan leaf +
Read they only 5000 for the whole off euope

So again will be hard to get one
Have to wait to 2020 hopefully they rank up production