Although the Kia Niro was first introduced in 2016, the fully-electric version didn’t arrive until 2018. The Kia Niro EV (or e-Niro in Europe) shares a powertrain and battery configuration with Hyundai Motor Group sibling,

the Kona EV

. As a BEV version of a combustion hybrid model, the Niro EV represents a bridge between the Kia brand’s gas models and its new EV-centric nomenclature, which began with its first ground up electric SUV, the EV6.

As the fully-electric version of Kia’s popular crossover SUV the Niro EV is as affordable as it is adequate....join

Jerry

as we dive into the details of this

Kia electric car

Kia Niro EV at a glance:

Price: $39,990-$46,650

Range: 239 miles (EPA est.)

Availability: 2022 models are currently available for order,

2023 model year

to be announced soon.

Quick take: The Kia Niro EV is an SUV crossover that delivers less than average range and performance, but with advanced technology and a price that still makes it a genuine EV option.

What are the pros and cons of the 2022 Kia Niro EV?

Pro: Good range and acceleration for its segment

Although the estimated range of both trims of the Niro EV is 239 miles, other outlets have garnered much more than that in real life tests, some getting up into the 280 mile-range. At that range, the Niro EV is one of the leaders in the small crossover EV segment.

Its 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.2 seconds will by no means garner any track records, but compared to some of its competitors like the Hyundai Kona EV, the Niro zips around quickly and can be quite fun to drive.

Con: Lack of variety and availability

One of the cons that we delve into deeper below is the lack of variety on the Niro EV. With only two current trims to choose from and zero difference in performance, the crossover SUV lacks variety compared to other EVs.

There has been talk of a third trim called “S” that will be priced below the EX and like the other two trims, it will share the same performance specs. However, it should arrive with significantly less technology in the cabin.

This brings us to our next point, which is actually more of a pro. Despite its lack of variety, the standard EX trim of the Niro EV comes pretty loaded with standard features.

Unfortunately, another con would be the availability of the Niro EV in the US, since it’s currently only sold in certain states. That should all change in the fall of 2023 however, when the latest Niro EV models are expected to become available in all 50 states.

Con: Outdated specs/technology

This argument could be subjective because the Niro EV is still one of the better EV options out there in terms of comparable models, but Kia’s new line of EVs offer so much more.

Take the

Kia EV6

for instance, Kia’s first vehicle on the E-GMP platform, who’s Light trim offers similar range and better acceleration, but is loaded with more advanced technology inside, including vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities meaning you can use your car to power outside devices like a mobile office, mini fridge, or charge another EV.

Additionally, The EV6’s starting MSRP is only about $2,000 more than the Niro EV EX. It just may be hard to get your hands on one for a while due to demand.

MORE:

The Kia Niro EV Could Be the Goldilocks of Electric Cars

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How much does a Kia Niro EV cost?

The lowest priced EX trim currently starts at an MSRP of $39,990 and can go as high as $44,650 for the EX Premium which features several interior upgrades.

According to

Electrek

, the Kia Niro EV currently qualifies for the full $7,500 federal tax credit. It’s important to note however, that the

federal credit

may soon be changing under the Inflation Reduction Act, which could affect Kia vehicles not assembled in the US.

Breaking down the range estimates and performance specs of the EV crossover

Currently, there are only two trims of the Kia Niro EV to choose from, and their differences are purely cosmetic. For that reason, we will share the performance specs in one single column below, which apply to both the EX and EX Premium versions.

The single, front-wheel drive (FWD) motor in the 2022 Niro EV is powered by a single 64 kWh pack that delivers 201 horsepower.

We’ve broken down all the Niro EV performance specs for you below and have also included EPA estimated range:

Niro EV Trim	Battery Size	Horsepower	Torque	EPA Est. Range
EX/EX Premium	64 kWh	201 hp / 150 kW	291 lbs.-ft.	239 miles

How long does it take to charge a Kia Niro EV?

A 2022 Kia Niro EV plugged into a charging station.

Although Kia is delivering 800V capabilities on newer EV models like the EV6 and its E-GMP platform, the Niro EV is limited as an electrified version of a combustion model. As such, the crossover EV has the capability to charge at speeds up to 100 kW.

Times vary by the type of charger you have available, but even the recommended 240V outlet at home will take nearly 10 hours to get your Niro fully charged. That’s still much quicker than a standard 120V plug, which can take over two days. See below.

Type of Charger	Average Charge Time
Level 3 DC Fast Charger (DCFC) (100 kW charge rate)	10-80% in one hour
Level 3 DC Fast Charger (DCFC) (50 kW charge rate)	10-80% in 75 minutes
240V outlet (Level 2 AC)	10-100% in 9.5 hours
120V outlet (Level 1 AC)	10-100% in approx. 2.5 days

MORE:

Which Is the Better Crossover: The Kia Niro EV vs. Hyundai Kona EV?

Two trims with very little variation

Below, we outlined some of the variations between the two times currently available on the 2022 Niro EV. As previously mentioned, the differences are all cosmetic, so the performance will be the same no matter which option you choose.

Based on these differences, we’ve gone ahead and suggested which option might offer the best value.

Kia Niro EV EX (FWD)

Starting MSRP - $39,990

Comes with 17” alloy wheels, heated front seats, regenerative braking with steering wheel-mounted paddles

10.25” touchscreen display, with voice-command navigation system, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto

Harman Kardon premium surround sound with Clari-Fi, 8 speakers, and integrated subwoofer

Kia Niro EV EX Premium (FWD)

Starting MSRP - $44,650

Includes the features mentioned above plus a power sunroof, rear LED lights, and a cargo cover

Adjustable mood lightning, LED map and room lamps, stainless steel door scuff plate trim, SynTex seating materials with blue accents, and ventilated front seats

For a full rundown of the two Niro EVs compared side-by-side,check out

Kia’s detailed breakdown

What is the best version of the 2022 Kia Niro EV?

Usually, there are a lot more trims to choose from on the average EV, so the decision on which is best can often be a tough one and varies by household. While your individual situation may vary, our recommendation is an easy one in the case of the Kia Niro EV.

We highly recommend going for the EX trim of the Niro EV, starting below $40,000. Since this model still qualifies for the federal tax credit in the US (for now), you can get up to $7,500 in credit back too.

Additionally, we previously mentioned the plethora of standard features present on the Niro EV EX, and not a lot varies compared to the EX Premium trim unless you absolutely need a power sunroof and ventilated front seats. To us, that’s not worth the extra $4,600 upcharge.

A white 2022 Kia Niro EV parked in a driveway.

How the Niro EV compares to its competitors

As we previously mentioned, the electric crossover segment of EVs is popular and ever-growing. Several competitors come to mind, but some of the more popular Niro EV competitors in the US are the Hyundai Kona EV, the Chevy Bolt EUV, the Hyundai IONIQ 5, and Kia EV6.

The Kia Niro EV can be most closely compared to the Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona EV. Since the Kona is a close relative to the Niro, it shares a lot of the same performance specs, particularly in torque and horsepower.

That being said, the Kona EV’s 258 mile range bests the Niro on paper andits low-end SEL trim starts at a significantly lower MSRP ($34,000). All at the sacrifice of some, but not much cargo volume.

The Chevy Bolt EUV is closely comparable to the two EV mentioned above, but starts at an even lower price than the Kona EV ($33,500). That being said, the Niro EV still has the best acceleration and standard features.

Moving on to a similar, yet higher tier category, is the Kia EV6 and Hyundai IONIQ 5. For starters, both newer EVs start within a couple thousand dollars of $40k, which is not far off from the $39,990 ask for the 2022 Niro EV.

Additionally, you get many more benefits from Hyundai Motor Group’s 800V E-GMP platform, offering significantly faster charge speeds, more range, and vehicle-to-load capabilities. Those perks alone may sway you from a Niro EV, but if you’d like to keep costs down, it remains a solid option.

Looking ahead, there are additional crossover SUVs in the works, includingthe Fisker Ocean and an

electrified version of the Chevy Blazer

. Those are more than likely to provide better technology and performance than the 2022 version of the Kia Niro EV, but they will require significant wait times.

The 2022 Kia Niro EV is a wonderful EV, but…

As we’ve pointed out above, the Kia Niro EV is one of your best options out there when compared to some of the older EV models and/or fully-electrified versions of existing combustion models like hybrids.

Its standard features are tough to beat, it delivers more than adequate range, and can be very fun to cruise around in thanks to its better-than-average acceleration.

However, Kia and other automakers are already welcoming new generations of EVs on more advanced novel platforms, capable of much more than the 2022 Niro EV could ever provide.

It’s a solid EV for now, but you can already see its replacements starting to hit roads in the US, so it’s at the very least worth exploring those other newer options before committing to this one.

Find great car insurance for whatever electric crossover you decide on

What crossover SUV you choose is entirely up to you, and so is the

car insurance

you choose to protect it. The insurance experts at

Jerry

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