Kia Niro EV Sport Reviews | Overview

THE KIA Niro is a compact SUV that is about the similar size as its Seltos sibling, but furthermore accessible in petrol-electrical hybrid, plug-in hybrid or battery-electrical guises. The five-seat family SUV is supplied in two trim grades for every motor variety – S or Sport – for a whole of six variants all advised.

The Niro assortment commences at $39,990 (furthermore-on street costs) for the Hybrid S through to an eye-watering $65,990 (+ORCs) for the leading-of-the-array Niro EV Activity examined below.

We say eye-watering simply because, as superior as it is, the BEV variation of the Niro is additional than double the selling price of an equal petrol-driven Seltos Activity ($32,790, as well as on-road costs). Even if you are a staunch environmentalist, that high quality equates to numerous tanks of petrol – adequate to drive the Seltos 519,652km primarily based on latest petrol rates – or to the moon and most of the way back.

But we digress… Kia is not on its Pat Malone in charging much more for the relatively new and, as a result, pricey technological innovation utilized in its EV variants. We are, by no implies, singling the brand name out.

The front-wheel-travel Niro EV twins share their drivetrain with Kia’s sister organization Hyundai’s Kona EV. Battery ability is rated to 64kWh with peak electricity and torque outlined at a nutritious 150kW and 395Nm respectively. When using a 100kW DC fast charger, the Niro EV Sport’s battery can be billed up from thoroughly depleted to 80 per cent cost in all around 54 minutes. When hooked up to or a domestic energy outlet that window increases to all of 29 several hours, having said that.  

Kia quotes a WLTP array of 455km for its Niro EV, which is 29km a lot less than the somewhat scaled-down – and marginally lighter – Kona. On exam, we averaged 15.2kWh per 100km, which equates to a driving variety of approximately 421km.

But what it lacks in array (as opposed with the Kona EV), the Niro would make up for in room. Cabin accommodation, in particular in the back seat, is appreciably far more generous than the twin-under-the-skin Kona, even though baggage potential also romps ahead with 451 litres around the Kona’s 332 litres. 

Gear ranges see inclusions this sort of as regenerative braking, keyless entry, leather-accented seats with eight-way electricity adjustment for the driver, a leather-certain multifunction steering wheel, automated LED headlights, as nicely as LED daytime running- and tail-lights.

Infotainment will come courtesy of a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wi-fi Android Vehicle and Apple CarPlay compatibility, multi-connection Bluetooth, electronic radio, native sat nav, a reversing digital camera, as well as an 8 speaker DBL audio process.

The Niro EV Activity also features a decision of 4 generate modes (Standard, Eco, Eco+ and Sport), paddle shifters for the adjustable regenerative braking technique, an electrochromatic rear-look at mirror, metallic-complete pedals, solitary-zone local climate control and 18-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin rubber.

Basic safety kit is, similarly, well sorted and, may we incorporate, wonderfully properly calibrated. The Niro selection consists of, as standard, seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking with automobile-, pedestrian- and bike owner detection, lane-preserve help, lane-adhere to aid, clever cruise command and driver-awareness alert with the Activity grade incorporating blind-location detection and rear cross-targeted traffic alert.

Provider intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km and capped-price tag servicing is readily available. Upkeep pricing tallies $1164 over a few-, $1728 over 5-, and $2803 in excess of 7 yrs. All Niro EVs are coated by Kia’s 7-year/endless-kilometre warranty, but the batteries and motors are only protected up to 150,000km (guess you’re not taking that trip to the moon, eh?).

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