The Most Practical Electric Car! – 2024 Kia Niro EV Review

Cars nowadays are getting way too big! That’s why I’m excited to try out a more sensibly sized electric vehicle, the Kia Niro EV. When it comes to electric cars from Kia, everyone seems to be talking about the sleek and voluptuous Kia EV6, but we can’t forget about the new redesigned second generation Niro EV. With 253 miles of range and lots of cargo space, does it hold its own against the new wave of budget-friendly EVs out there? And are small EVs the best EVs? Today let’s find out.

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Table of Contents:
0:00 - What Is It?
1:18 - Exterior Design!
2:35 - Interior Design!
3:37 - Interior Features!
5:07 - Weird Climate Control!
6:01 - Rear Seats / Cargo!
7:07 - Acceleration!
8:09 - Braking / Ride!
8:43 - Range / Efficiency!
10:16 - Price / Competition!

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Music used in this episode:
- Selected tracks from the YouTube music library

[PixelShade]

As a UX designer, I absolutely hate the shift to touch screens in cars. I bet it looks "clean" when you remove the buttons, but not being able to have your muscle memory navigate around the controls of a car is detrimental to traffic safety... There are so many stupid things going on in the car industry currently, like the yokes, the touch controls, and massive amounts of unnecessary mechanical tech. (like motorized hatchbacks. Heck, even the door handles on Teslas have tiny motors these days, terrible for winter climate) I wish more cars would just adapt a more utilitarian and simple design approach. But all-in-all, I am happy to see Asian cars. At least they are not stupidly large like American counterparts.

[shanenestruck]

I have a Niro EV 2023 and EVERYTHING you say is totally the way i think about what a car should do..
Love it BUT I really like YOUR APPROACH TO EVALUATING an EV.. Especially the final statement about 'Carbon footprint'

THANK YOU!

[shanenestruck]

P.S. the 'touch screen' for radio and air/heat can be set to always be on the A/C screen except when you want the radio settings..and returns automatically to A/C etc after a few seconds.

[shanenestruck]

About 0-60 Bah! The Niro has limited the torque for the first few kph so that you don't easily roast or spin the tires. After that the acceleration is so good you wont need more.
Also love that the sun roof also lifts up on the back side giving great air flow,
RE: Buttons instead of finding things on a Play Station screen... YES!!!
Heads up display is a wondorous benefit!

[Randint]

It looks decent, definitely the size I’d look for. We just got a newer used Leaf that’s really fitting our needs well. Once the wheels fall off the old gas SUV we also have, we could give the Niro models a look. I do hope there are more smaller EVs with AWD at some point - I know it’s not necessary 80% of the time, but it is nice to have a backup for the worst of the winter.

[rightlanehog]

Ethan, The interior space efficiency of many vehicles today compared to their exterior dimensions is pitiful. I don't follow the EV market too closely but I can tell you the last genuine Toyota Yaris hatch sold here had more headroom than today's RAV4. Today's Crown sedan is heavier yet smaller inside than the last Ford Crown Victoria. 🤨 For the record, that disdainfully raised eyebrow is coming from a Toyota fan. 😉

[nplowman]

I just bought a used 2019 Niro EV a few months ago and love it. The smaller size was a big selling point for me - I don't want to drive a big SUV and smaller cars are becoming an endangered species. I was more than happy with the price I paid for a used one, but the new price is hard to justify next to cars with much faster charging in that same price range.

[shanenestruck]

Absolutely agree with you! But one of the greatest features is the way the driver's seat goes fully back when you open the door... making getting and out so much easier for us seniors! then when you get in it remembers your position and moves the seat to that position!
Also I have a FULL SIZE spare in the trunk... after removing the sub woofer speaker...sorely missed HAHA!

[oafkad]

These reviews are so good. Focusing on the only things I even remotely cate about.

[thebluexb]

Love the Niro! Its sensible, yet still interesting to look at.

[MichaelHeyting]

I appreciate that you’re one of the few reviewers who thinks the market is too obsessed with cars have to be big and fast. If a car can reach 60 in 9 seconds that’s plenty fast. Unless you have a large family or have a legitimate need for all that space you’re wasting your life trying to pay for it all. I’ve had a Kia Niro HEV for the past 5 1/2 years and it is absolutely the best car I have ever owned in the last 20 years!

[anthonymalovrh]

Thank You for pointing out how 0-60 mph is over emphasized by auto journalists and others. I have driven a 2016 Nissan Leaf since August 2019. Getting 5.0-5.2 miles per Kw. Test drove a 2020 Hyundai Kona EV recently - got 5.6 mpk. Nice EV, just concerned about the battery recall situation. Do Kia Niro EVs use a different manufacturer's battery?

[joseapar]

Sorry but have to push back on your calling the 110v charging useless. Lots of people have thier car sitting in their driveway for hours on end and could easily top off their car just fine using that charging speed. People think they need super fast charging to go EV when they absolutely do not. If your commute is less than 40 miles round trip to work, and you plug you car into a 110v charger for many cars you'll be 100% all the time with nothing special to install in your home.

[mdsf]

A realist's review for the common folk. Well done!

[EnmandsBand]

I want one!! Kia just did everything right with the new Niro EV, I can live with a bit of glossy plastic and I can wait 5-10 minutes more when charging a couple of times every year.
I love the classic round instruments and the small and nicely built-in info screen, I really hate those big stick-on iPads that most EV's have now, it just looks terrible.

[Steve_in_NJ]

Despite the "negatives" about the touch screen HVAC/Infotainment one system, I like the look and feel of this Niro. I test drove the PHEV version and loved it. The EV almost drives the same way. I do like the lighter color seats in the EV over the all dark colors in the hybrid versions. Currently driving a 2022 Hyundai Kona ICE, and not a fan of the 2024 redesign. For me, I'd get the KIA over the Hyundai. I don't want to look like I'm driving in a Sherman Tank!

[StevenFolberg-ywoc]

Just discovered your reviews and love your approach, thank you. Subscribing now, as well. Took a test drive in the EV six today and was kind of shocked at what a big ass car it is! The dealer did not have the Niro EV IN STOCK, BUT I SAT IN THE HYBRID VERSION AND FOUND THE PROPORTIONS MUCH MORE TO MY LIKING. GOING TO TRY TO TAKE A TEST DRIVE IN THE EV AS A RESULT. I’VE ALWAYS LIKED AND DRIVEN SMALLER CARS, AND I AM DISCOVERING THAT IT’S STILL THE CASE. :-)
Didn’t realize I still had caps lock on! Just letting everyone know I wasn’t shouting. 😂

[danielberning]

Another fantastic review. Thanks. I already commented on the size question, so won't repeat that. I did want to commend you on calling out these magazines and companies for pushing this super fast vehicle stuff and the silly 0-60 times. After all, do we really want some soccer mom running us down in a 9, 000 pound Hummer EV that can do 0-60 in about 4 seconds? I sure don't.

Also a comment about the "wireless Carplay". I work at a Volvo and Mazda dealership. As of yet, Volvo has (thankfully) not gone with wireless. Mazda has started for 2023 and it stinks. My 2023 Bolt and my last car (2021 Malibu) both had the WCP and I hate it. A co-worker has a 2021 BMW 3 series and he doesn't like his either. It was so bad that I watched a video on how to completely turn it off. I now use only the wire to connect and love it.

[rewind]

Maybe I’m really stupid but if charging these electric milk floats use as much electricity as a house does in a week where does all this extra electricity come from. I didn’t know solar and wind generates so much electricity. The last I checked in Ontario, Canada, 86% comes from nuclear, hydro, and natural gas. Solar and wind was a mere 12.4%. I didn’t know we had plans on doubling the electricity output in the next decade. Sure would like to know how this is going to be done.

[paulinquebec]

Love my Niro wind+ we ordered because of the heat pump. Kind of wish we had got the wave because it is a nice car with some nice extras., But we really love the car anyway. With $12, 000 rebate hearing in Quebec it comes close to other cars when you just get the wind, so with the economy of day-to-day driving we calculated it was basically the same as getting a Toyota Corolla brand new. I do wish it charged slightly faster, but 99% of the time that’s an non-issue. I would say it’s deceptive to always think about the time for a total charge. When we travel our stops usually never need more than 20 or 30% to get us going again with a good amount in the tank. And what’s really deceptive is the level 2 overnight charging time you mentioned because never have we gone past two or three hours of charging because we don’t wait until it’s empty. in fact, not once have I even left it charging overnight because it’s done before I get to bed so I just unplug it then. Great little car for day-to-day use and absolute fine for 400 km road trips with even only one stop. Beyond that I’ll let you know…