► New Kia e-Niro is here
► Second full electric Kia
► 300-mile range, on sale March
The Kia e-Niro blew into the Paris motor show, ushering in a new era of electric cars for the fast-growing Korean brand. It was a significant moment for Kia: it’s been selling the Soul EV for some years now, but it’s only ever been a bit-part player (selling some 350 a year in Britain). Now the e-Niro EV is here, that number should – in time – sky-rocket. With currently EVs in the spotlight, the e-Niro’s serious on-paper performance should make it even more desirable in the post-Coronavirus landscape.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about the Kia e-Niro.
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Kia e-Niro: the range factor
There’s nothing wrong with the Kia e-Niro in the looks department, but its strongest hand surely comes from the spec sheet – and especially its range. Kia claims a 301-mile capability on a full charge, thanks to a capacious (and doubtless expensive) 64kWh battery. That battery is covered by the brand’s industry-leading seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, incidentally.
The company sells two different capacities in mainlain Europe, but UK buyers won’t get to tick the box next to the smaller e-Niro with the smaller 39kWh battery. ‘We want to hammer home the message that this is a car with a viable daily range – and one you can charge from 20% to 80% capacity in 40 minutes,’ UK chief executive and president Paul Philpott told CAR magazine. Clearly, having just one model on offer makes that message even more concentrated.
Kia e-Niro: interior and tech
The e-Niro shares its cabin with the the other Niro models – and that’s no bad thing. However behind the wheel you’ll also find a paddla for changing the level of regenerative paddle. That’s a feature found on the considerably more expensive Audi e-Tron.
Kia e-Niro: price
The Kia e-Niro is going to be expensive when compared to its ICE counterparts – but it’s rather affordable when compared to other electric SUVs. The all-electric e-Niro has an OTR of £37995 but will cost £34995 after the Plug-in grant. Good luck getting one though, there are currently long waiting times on Kia’s long range EV.
The entry-level car includes the following kit as standard:
- 7″ Alloy Wheels
- 7″ Supervision Cluster with TFT Colour Display
- 8-speaker JBL® Premium Sound System
- Smart Key & Button Start
- Black Leather Upholstery*
- LED Headlights with Bi-Function Projection
- 10.25″ Touchscreen Satellite Navigation with European Mapping
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Lane Keep Assist with Driver Attention Warning & High Beam Assist
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (Car/Ped/Cyc) (FCA)
Kia e-Niro: the background
The Niro is also offered with a variety of hybrid and plug-in powertrains; globally over 200,000 have been sold since 2016 (65,000 of them in Europe) and the arrival of the full electric version completes the set.
By combining the market’s thirst for electrification with the popular crossover bodystyle should broaden the e-Niro’s appeal.