If you’re looking for an electric Kia, there are currently three on the market—the 2022 Kia Niro EV, 2022 EV6, and the 2024 EV9 SUV—but Kia plans to expand its electric lineup to 11 vehicles by 2026.

While Kia hasn’t always had a reputation for producing reliable cars, the Korean manufacturer has steadily climbed the automotive industry ranks to become one of the industry leaders. In 2016, Kia won the award for the most reliable brand from J.D. Power—they were the first non-luxury brand to win in that category since 1989. And with a growing demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles, Kia has produced a solid lineup of EVs with no plans to stop.

If you’re a Kia connoisseur or just looking to exchange your gas-guzzler for something more wallet-friendly,

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Does Kia have electric cars?

Yes—as of 2022, Kia has three fully-electric vehicles with a plan to reach a lineup of 11 by 2026. Currently, their lineup consists of the Kia Niro EV and the EV6 crossover, but they also produced the Kia Soul EV (not available in U.S. markets) and have an upcoming EV9 set to launch in 2024.

2022 Kia Niro EV

Starting price: $39,990

Powertrain: Permanent-magnet synchronous AC Power w/standard FWD and standard 64-kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion polymer battery (201 hp/291 lb-ft torque)

Driving range: 239 miles

Charging time: 9 hours and 35 minutes (240-volts) or 59 hours (120 volts)

While the Kia Niro EV may not come with the snazzy title of a

Tesla

or the branding of the

Mustang Mach-E

, the subcompact crossover rocks killer looks and several practical elements found on the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. The electric Niro is powered by a single front-mounted motor producing 201 hp through FWD by a single-speed direct-drive transmission.

Compared to other EVs in its class like the

Bolt EV

, Kona Electric, and even the

Tesla Model Y

, the Niro EV offers a more refined and quieter ride. On top of having an impressive list of standard features and great handling, the Niro EV offers one of the longest driving ranges out of any reasonably priced electric vehicle. And compared to previous models, the 2022 Niro EV comes with even more—the standard 10.25” center touchscreen, a premium sound system and navigation system, and loads of clever interior storage.

It also comes standard with a 7.2-kW onboard charger and two options for at-home charging—a 240-volt wall unit at 7.2 kW (the most common) and a standard 120-volt outlet with included cable (not recommended). Plus, the Niro EV also comes with DC fast-charging capability.

It may be small, but the Niro EV packs a serious punch for an electric vehicle and you’re getting a lot for your money compared to other EVs—plus, it still qualifies for the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit.

MORE: The Kia Niro EV could be the Goldilocks of electric cars

2022 Kia EV6

Starting price: $40,900

Powertrain: Single or dual electric motor w/AWD or RWD with 167-576 hp and 258-466 lb-ft torque

Driving range: 232 miles (standard) to 310 miles (long-range)

Charging time: 51 to 68 hours (110V) and 5.5 to 7.1 hours (220V)

The all-new Kia EV6 is the Korean automaker’s first all-electric car, and it’s as powerful and handsome as ever—and probably exactly what you think of when you think of an electric car: clean, sleek, stylish, and super-futuristic looking. Unlike other Kia EVs built from their hybrid predecessors, the EV6 was made electric from the get-go.

Featuring a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle or a dual-electric motor mounted on both axles, the EV6 comes with the option of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; the latter is only available with the larger, long-range battery (320 or 576 total hp).

Although it may be electric, if you’re looking for maximum power and stellar performance, the Kia EV6 checks out. The GT-Line model features 320 hp and hits zero-to-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, while the upcoming 576 hp GT reaches zero-to-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. It may not be fast enough to rearrange your face like some other EVs, but it can easily pin you to your seat.

The interior may not be as impressive as the exterior, but it’s still attractive and pretty futuristic compared to other Kia models. The mix of high-tech features includes a 12” touchscreen, a wireless charging station, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, with serious practicality from a plethora of storage solutions.

And if you need to load the trunk, you won’t have a problem here with the 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 54 cubic feet total with the rear seats flattened. Oh, and there’s a front trunk—how’s that for roomy?

MORE:

An electric car battle for the best: The 2022 Kia EV6 vs. the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

2021 Kia Soul EV (canceled)

Starting price: $35,000

Powertrain: Single electric motor with 201-hp and 291 lb-ft torque

Driving range: 243 miles

Charging time: 8 hours at 220 volts

After three years of hype, the 2021 Kia Soul EV was unfortunately canceled before it ever had a chance to hit the U.S. markets. But for anyone that was able to get behind the wheel of Kia’s favorite small SUV, it was worth it.

The Soul is the perfect marriage of boxy meets functionally chic, and while it may be emissions-free, it’s definitely not lacking in fun. It offers engaging driving dynamics and a more playful drive than some other EVs, sprinting to 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds.

The 201 hp single front-mounted electric motor offers an impressive amount of torque for its size, and because of the Soul’s low weight, it accelerates with some pretty good speed. With impressive road efficiency—127 MPGe city, 101 MPGe highway, and 114 MPGe combined—it would have stacked up well against the Niro EV but didn’t quite offer the same efficiency as the

Bolt EV

or the

Tesla Model 3

Long Range.

Although U.S. drivers may not be hitting the road in the 2022 Kia Soul EV, it is available for Canadian drivers starting at $42,995 CAD.

MORE:

How to build a custom Kia Soul

How do Kia’s electric cars compare to competitors?

Although Kia isn’t new to the electric car market, its reputation hasn’t earned as big of a place as some other manufacturers, and people are still wondering: how do Kia’s EVs stack up against the biggest competitors?

Although Kia’s electric vehicles receive pretty good ratings, how they compare to other EVs partially depends on personal preference and your priorities as a driver. If you’re a Kia driver through and through, even the most powerful electric vehicles—like the Tesla or the Mustang Mach-E—probably aren’t going to cut it. But the futuristic, sleek lines of the Kia EV6 and Niro EV? They’re enticing. However, if you’re looking for the classic looks and utility of a gas-powered vehicle with the savings of all-electric, there may be something better suited.

But when it comes to performance, Kia’s electric vehicles may not rank as well as their gas-powered options or other EVs. Below, we’ll break down how Kia’s electric vehicles rank in driving range and charging time, performance, and overall affordability.

Driving range and charging time

Having a solid driving range is the key to success with electric vehicles. If it can’t go more than a few dozen miles without needing a recharge, it will not fly in the constantly-adapting car market. In conjunction with driving range, we also have to consider charging time—how long it takes to recharge the car’s battery fully; it’s an important consideration for buyers looking for speed and convenience.

Kia’s EVs stack up pretty well when it comes to driving range. Although they may not rank at the top like Teslas—their models range between 430 miles up to 1,000 on the Roadster—they fare pretty well. With the larger battery, the EV6 can reach up to 310 miles on a single charge—and in terms of charging time, Kia ranks high.

Curious about the numbers? Here’s a rundown of what you can expect from Kia’s EVs compared to its competitors.

Model	Driving range	Charging time at 220v	Charging time w DC fast charger
2022 Kia EV6	310 miles	7 hrs	10-80% in 18 mins
2022 Kia Niro EV	239 miles	9 hrs	10-80% in 1 hr
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E	247-317 miles	11.4 hrs	10-80% in 45 min
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning	230-300 miles	14 hrs	15-80% in 40 min
2022 Ford E-Transit	126 miles	8 hrs	15-80% in 34 min
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5	220-303 miles	6 hrs	10-80% in 18 min
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric	258 miles	10 hrs	10-80% in 75 min
2022 Volkswagen ID.4	280 miles	7.5 hrs	0-80% in 38 min
2022 Tesla Model Y	303-330 miles	10 hrs	10-80% in 22 min
2022 Tesla Model X	335-351 miles	6.5-10 hrs	10-80% in under 30 min

Performance

Many car buyers are under the impression that when they go green, they’re compromising performance for sustainability—but that’s far from the truth. Although you may not have a V6, V8, or V12 under the hood powering you to face-melting speeds in 2.4 seconds, Kia’s EV lineup is a solid contender for performance.

It’s hard to say how the Niro EV and EV6 rank in reliability compared to their gas-powered counterparts, but experts suggest that Kia’s EVs are equally as reliable as the brand’s other vehicles. And if you’re looking for power and speed, Kias stand their ground.

Model	Maximum horsepower	Maximum torque	0 to 60 time
2022 Kia EV6	576 hp	446 lb-ft	4.5 seconds
2022 Kia Niro EV	201 hp	291 lb-ft	6.2 seconds
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E	480 hp	634 lb-ft	5.1 seconds
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning	563 hp	775 lb-ft	est. 4.5 seconds
2022 Ford E-Transit	266 hp	317 lb-ft	N/A
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5	320 hp	446 lb-ft	4.5 seconds
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric	201 hp	290 lb-ft	6.4 seconds
2022 Volkswagen ID.4	295 hp	339 lb-ft	5.4 seconds
2022 Tesla Model Y	est. 480 hp	375 lb-ft	3.6 seconds
2022 Tesla Model X	1,020 hp	713 lb-ft	3.3 seconds

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Cost of ownership

If you’re considering buying a Kia electric vehicle, affordability is likely at the top of the totem pole. But keep in mind that the MSRP of electric models tends to be higher than gas-powered models. For example, the starting price of the 2022 Kia Niro Hybrid—the Niro comes standard as a hybrid for the 2022 models—starts at $24,690, while the 2022 Niro EV starts at $39,990 and the all-electric EV6 starts at $40,900.

But the savings that come with an electric car expand beyond just the selling price. Electric vehicles typically require less maintenance and lower fuel costs than gas or diesel-powered vehicles. They’re also eligible for a $7,500 federal tax rebate, on top of other

electric car incentives

from local or state governments to reduce the buying costs further.

Here’s a breakdown of the five-year ownership costs of a 2021 Niro EV:

Insurance: $4,333

Maintenance: $3,672

Repairs: $524

Taxes and fees: $2,580

Financing: $3,916

Depreciation: $15,122

Fuel: $2,702

Tax credit: -$7,500

When you add that up, you’re looking at a total ownership cost of $25,349—substantially less than the starting MSRP of $39,990!

Keep in mind that several other car manufacturers produce EVs on both ends of the price spectrum. If you’re looking for a

budget-friendly electric vehicle

, the MINI Cooper SE Signature is a great option starting at $30,750 or the

Nissan Leaf S 40 kW

at $32,759. But if you’re looking for driving range and performance over affordability, the

Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD

is where it’s at.

MORE: Are there hidden costs of owning an electric vehicle?

How to decide if going electric is right for you

Kia is one of the up-and-coming producers of electric cars, and while they make some great vehicles with stellar performance, even the best electric cars aren’t going to be a match for every driver. If you’ve been considering buying an electric vehicle but haven’t been able to commit fully, here are a few things to consider:

Where are public charging stations? Having a charger at home is the most convenient option to keep your car running, but when you’re out and about and your battery is low, having access to public charging stations is important.

How far do you drive daily? The driving range of an EV is a big selling point for buyers but also a big source of anxiety—what happens if I’m driving and run out of mileage? Figure out how many miles you drive daily and compare it to the driving range of the EV.

How often do you drive more than 200-300 miles? If you’re using an EV for local trips, the driving range is typically more than enough, but charging might present a problem if you’re visiting friends and family a few towns over.

Is your home electric-car compliant? If you do buy an electric car, you’ll need to install a charging station—and you’ll need either a driveway or a garage to do that.

Do you need a vehicle with excellent towing capacity? For anyone that hauls heavy loads, knowing the towing capacity of your EV is important—and there are relatively few EVs that have towing capacities comparable to gas-powered SUVs or trucks.

There are plenty of benefits to buying an electric Kia—a $7,500 federal tax credit, other electric rebates and incentives, lower maintenance and operating costs, quieter driving, it’s better for the environment—the list goes on. But on the flip side, EVs tend to have more significant upfront costs, and you have to factor in charging logistics.

But if you’re looking for greater sustainability and fuel efficiency without the pitfalls of pure battery, Kia has several hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles available to suit your needs. Here are your options:

2022 Kia Niro Hybrid and Niro Plug-In Hybrid

2022 Kia Sportage Hybrid

2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid and Niro Plug-In Hybrid

Kia’s electric future

The Niro EV and the EV6 are the two starter vehicles in Kia’s EV journey, but the company has committed to boosting those numbers up to 11 all-electric vehicles by 2026, starting with the all-new 2024 EV9 SUV.

The EV9 shares a platform with the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 7 and is suggested to come with both rear- and all-wheel drive featuring a single-motor and dual-motor configuration. Kia has yet to release information on the battery size or motors, but there’s speculation that the SUV could reach beyond the 300-mile driving range mark.

While it’s still a concept, renders show the EV9 offering seating for six across three rows featuring recycled materials for finishes to showcase Kia’s commitment to sustainability. And the best part? The large panoramic sunroof and massive 27” infotainment display.

MORE:

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Plan for the future with affordable car insurance

For years, electric vehicles seemed like more hassle than they were worth—they’re costly and charging wasn’t the most convenient or speedy process. But in the last few years, Kia has stepped up its game and accelerated to the forefront of the electric vehicle market. They’ve produced a few great EVs and aren’t stopping there.

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