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Kia Niro EV

Our unique Expert Rating Index combines scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating on every new car

Expert Rating

Kia Niro EV

(2022 - present)

    Summary


    The Kia Niro EV is an all-electric compact crossover, and the successor to the discontinued e-Niro SUV, which rivals electric SUVs like the Peugeot e-2008 and Skoda Enyaq, as well as family-sized electric hatchbacks like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.3.

    Described as “a really impressive package” by Electrifying.com, Parkers says that the Niro EV “is better than its predecessor in just about every way – it’s better equipped, it’s better to look at, it’s easier to use the onboard tech, it should be slightly more economical and it’s a little roomier without getting externally bulky.”

    Carbuyer adds that the Niro EV can travel further than the e-Niro on a single charge too. It’s 64kWh battery and 150kW electric motor pairing can muster 201hp and a promised battery range of 285 miles – stats that are quite competitive with its rivals.

    That said, these improvements come at an additional cost. “It is no longer the default answer to the decent value, long-range family EV question”, Autocar explains, pointing to the fact that the Niro EV range hovers around the £40k mark at launch, while the e-Niro was available for under £35k.

    When it comes to driver appeal, Car argues that “it’s nothing special” – noting that there has been a reduction in torque and top speed moving from the e-Niro to the Niro EV. The reduced performance isn’t likely to bother the Niro’s key audience though – UK buyers looking for an easy-to-drive and user-friendly electric family car. Kia’s reputation for reliability and the Niro EV’s seven-year warranty is an added bonus.

    As of July 2023, the Kia Niro EV holds an Expert Rating of 79%, based on 21 reviews published by the UK motoring media. This is still new model and we expect to see more reviews published in coming months, which could push the rating up or down by a few points.

    Niro EV highlights

    • Intuitive infotainment
    • Competitive battery range
    • Practical and comfortable cabin
    • Larger boot than standard Niro range

    Niro EV lowlights

    • Top-spec models are expensive
    • Some cheap interior plastics
    • Not much personalisation for entry-level models
    • Not all that exciting to drive

    Key specifications


    Body style: Compact SUV/crossover
    Engines:
    electric, battery-powered
    Price:
    From £36,245 on-road

    Launched: Summer 2022
    Last updated: N/A
    Replacement due: TBA


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    Auto Express

    +

    Auto Trader

    +

    Autocar

    +

    Business Car

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    Car

    +

    Car Keys

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    Carbuyer

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    Carwow

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    Daily Mirror

    +

    Driving Electric

    +

    Electrifying.com

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    Green Car Guide

    +

    Heycar

    +

    Honest John

    +

    Move Electric

    +

    Parkers

    +

    The Sun

    +

    Top Gear

    +

    What Car?

    +

    Which?

    +

    Safety rating


    Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

    Overall score: 4 stars
    Date tested: September 2022
    Read the full Euro NCAP review

    Adult protection: 91%
    Child protection: 84%
    Vulnerable road users: 75%
    Safety assist: 60%

    The current-generation Kia Niro was crash tested by Euro NCAP in September 2022, achieving a four-star safety rating. This rating stands for the hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants of the SUV, as well as the all-electric Kia Niro EV.

    Eco rating


    No eco rating

    As of July 2023, the Kia Niro EV has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    The Kia Niro EV is a brand-new model, so we don’t have enough reliability data on the Niro EV to generate a reliability rating.

    The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Niro EV, we’ll publish the score here.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the Kia Niro EV has received

    2023

    • EcoCar Electrified Top 50 – Electrified Car of the Year + Best Electric Medium SUV
    • Fleet World Awards – Best Fleet Small SUV
    • UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Crossover
    • Business Motoring Awards – Best Medium EV

    2022

    Running cost rating

    Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

    Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

    Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
    EV models285 milesA285 – 285 milesA – A
    Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
    EV models4.4 m/KWhB4.4 – 4.4 m/KWhB – B
    Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
    All models23B23 – 29B – C
    Service and maintenanceCostScore
    Year 1£194A
    Year 2£491A
    Year 3£787A
    Year 4£983A
    Year 5£1,295A
    Overall£3,750A

    The Kia Niro EV is very good in terms of running costs. Scheduled servicing and maintenance costs are outstanding, while insurance costs and electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is good as well.

    As an added bonus, the battery range is good so you won’t have to charge the car too often.

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the Kia Niro EV, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Audi Q4 e-tron | Citroën ë-C4 | DS 3 Crossback E-Tense | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Hyundai Kona Electric | Mazda MX-30 | MG ZS EV | Nissan Ariya | Peugeot e-2008 | Skoda Enyaq | Subaru Solterra | Toyota bZ4X | Vauxhall Mokka-eVolkswagen ID.4 | Volvo XC40 Recharge

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    The Kia Niro EV is an electric SUV with impressive on-board tech, practicality and battery range, but it costs more than you might expect.Kia Niro EV