The 2024 Kia Niro EV GT-Line is essentially the most environment friendly EV that we have ever examined
3 hours in the past
The Kia EV6 hasn’t been available on the market for lengthy however already, it has confirmed itself to not solely be among the best electrical automobiles in its value vary, however among the best EVs available on the market no matter value. However the place does this depart the Niro EV?
It’s been a bit of below two years because the latest-generation Niro was unveiled in combustion, hybrid, and all-electric guises. The primary technology Niro was underwhelming to say the least however with the brand new one, Kia has appeared to distill all the pieces we love in regards to the EV6 right into a barely extra compact car with a extra conventional SUV form. In comparison with the EV6, nevertheless, it has slid below the under-the-radar in EV discussions as of late, prompting us to marvel if it isn’t getting the love that it deserves.
Desperate to see what the Niro EV is like, we jumped behind the wheel of 1 for per week and put it by way of its paces. What we discovered was a really well-put-together EV that has lots of the similar very good credentials because the EV6 however one with a price ticket that can possible restrict what number of are offered.
The Kia Niro is just offered in hybrid and EV guises in Australia, each of that are supplied in entry-level S and flagship GT-Line trim ranges. Our tester was the Niro EV GT-Line that carries with it a AU$72,360 (equal to US$46,845 at present trade charges) sticker value. That’s a hefty sum on condition that the Niro Hybrid GT-Line begins at a way more cheap AU$50,030 ($32,389) and means the EV is simply AU$230 ($149) lower than the bottom EV6 Air. It’s additionally greater than AU$7,000 ($4,531) pricier than the Tesla Mannequin Y whereas the approaching Volvo EX30 will begin at AU$59,990 ($38,837).
So what do you get in your cash?
For starters, the Niro EV is underpinned by the agency’s K5 platform, moderately than the Hyundai Group’s Electrical-World Modular Platform (E-GMP) that has underpinned most of its latest EVs. As such, the Niro EV doesn’t get the acquainted 77.4 kWh battery of most different EVs from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis however moderately makes do with a 64.8 kWh battery.
There’s one other drawback with the automobile being based mostly on the K5 platform. Because of this not like the EV6 with its 800-volt structure, the Niro EV solely helps 400 volts and when linked to one of many quickest DC chargers on the market, wants 43 minutes to cost from 10 to 80%. That’s cheap within the present market however considerably slower than the 18 minutes that the EV6 must cost from 10 to 80%.
The battery pack drives an electrical motor that’s good for 150 kW (201 hp) and 255 Nm (188 lb-ft) of torque by way of the entrance wheels. The SUV requires 7.8 seconds to hit 100 km/h (62 mph).
A well-known cabin
The inside of the Niro EV is similar to the EV6 and that’s an enormous plus, notably when consumers go for the GT-Line variant. Taking delight of place within the cabin is a two-spoke steering wheel with built-in paddle shifters to regulate the regenerative braking system. Kia has then given the Niro EV a pair of 10.25-inch screens and whereas they’re barely smaller than the 12.3-inch shows of the EV6, they characteristic the identical working system and are simply as easy and intuitive to know. Additionally they help wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sadly, our take a look at automobile had not acquired the latest software program replace that makes Android Auto a full-screen expertise. It’s additionally value noting that the entry-level Niro Hybrid S has wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Elsewhere, the controls for the local weather system and vital media capabilities are housed inside a small contact bar beneath the display. A number of different Kia fashions have this similar touch-bar full with haptic suggestions and we expect it’s glorious. Whereas some would nonetheless like bodily buttons and knobs for the HVAC, it’s positively a lot better than housing all these controls inside the central infotainment show as many automakers at the moment are beginning to do.
Discovered within the central tunnel of the Niro EV GT-Line is loads of piano black plastic, together with buttons for the heated and ventilated seats, the heated steering wheel, and each the parking sensors and cameras. We did just like the rotary shifter that’s been lifted from the EV6 in addition to the inclusion of a wi-fi telephone charging pad. The house within the entrance row is sweet, though I did really feel just like the seats had been a bit of bit too excessive.
Learn: 2023 Kia Niro EV House owners Get 500 kWh Of Free Charging At Electrify America Stations
The second row can be a pleasant place to spend time nevertheless it doesn’t provide as a lot legroom because the longer EV6. USB-C ports are discovered on the rear of the entrance seats and the flat flooring on the again means it’s attainable to comfortably seat three individuals. There are additionally two air vents on the rear in addition to a 3.6 kW energy socket below the rear seats that helps vehicle-to-load capabilities.
The boot within reason spacious with 475 liters (16.7 cubic toes) and 1,400 liters (49.4 cubic toes) with the second row folded down. That first determine is barely down on the 490 liters (17.3 cubic toes) of the EV6 Air however is greater than the 1,270 liters (44.8 cubic toes) it affords with the seats folded down. Different welcome inclusions on the Niro EV GT-Line embody alloy sport pedals, customizable ambient lighting, an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10-inch head-up show.
Effectivity, effectivity, effectivity
It’s not typically that we’re flabbergasted after we get out of a automobile however that’s precisely what we felt after finishing our first drive within the Niro EV GT-Line. This isn’t as a result of we had been blown away by its efficiency or the driving expertise as a complete however moderately due to how environment friendly it was.
On our first 60 km (37 miles) drive, roughly 55 km (34 miles) of which was on the freeway sitting at 100 km/h (62 mph), the Kia returned simply 13.1 kWh/100 km. That’s regardless of the regenerative braking barely getting used and regardless of Kia stating that it has a consumed ranking of 16.2 kWh/100 km. Throughout our complete week with the automobile, it averaged 13.5 kWh/100 km on a mix of suburban roads and highways, making it essentially the most environment friendly EV I’ve ever examined and by a snug margin. As such, Kia’s claimed vary determine of 460 km (286 miles) on the WLTP cycle can truly be achieved fairly simply and improved upon when you primarily drive in one-pedal mode with the brake regen in its highest setting.
For essentially the most half, the Niro EV GT-Line is a no-nonsense form of car to drive on an on a regular basis foundation. It is rather simple to get accustomed to no matter whether or not you’ve gotten prior EV expertise or not and feels fairly gentle on its toes regardless of weighing in at a hefty 1,727 kg (3,807 lbs).
The brake regeneration works simply as seamlessly within the Niro EV because it does the EV6 and the transition between the regen and the mechanical brakes is sort of imperceptible. It’s cheap quiet at freeway speeds with minimal ranges of intrusive wind and tire noise however did appear a bit of louder than the EV6. It’s not notably fast both, though that’s not a shock on condition that it makes do with 150 kW, not a lot for a car of this heft. However, it’s spritely sufficient for day-to-day use.
Kia Australia’s native engineers have tuned the Niro EV’s suspension to go well with native roads and whereas they’ve finished an excellent job, it does stay barely firmer than some consumers would count on.
If solely it was cheaper
We actually loved our time with the Niro EV GT-Line. It appears quirky, is straightforward to snug and drive, and may be very environment friendly. Nonetheless, the worth will possible restrict its attraction, notably when in comparison with the significantly cheaper Hybrid model. This most likely explains why we’ve by no means seen one other Niro EV on the street however have seen loads of hybrids.
