2022 Kia Niro EV Review: Underrated Electric

[@peterbrown2408]

Great review, however I have owned a 2020 Niro EV SX Touring for about a year now and the range that KIA states 385 Km is a real world driving range. That means with the heater on in cold weather. I have personally had the range in the summer time go up as far as 512 km. In my opinion this is an amazing vehicle and would recommend it to anyone looking to buy a fully electric vehicle.

[@danilika9420]

Hi, Peter! It certainly strikes me as a conservative figure, although that's not an uncommon practice these days in both electric- and ICE-powered vehicles. Cheers!

[@ralphb7401]

I can support your fundings as my record in my E-Niro 2020 is about 510 km range. An energy consumption of about 14 kWh/100 km. Currently I’m with this cold weather an winter mode on, on about 395 to 405 km range with a energy consumption of about 16,5 kWh/100 km. I really love this car, all my colleagues who drive also this car, like them as well :) Hope they fixed the 2020 bug though, where the side mirrors only tilt down while driving backwards when the button is set on the left mirror (instead of neutral position)

[@kakylaid]

Hi Peter I would appreciate it if you could answer my queries as you own an ev. Iam in Sudan where I am sure there isn't a single ev running around 😊 Iam interested in importing one but I worry about replaceable parts e.g. brakes, wipers, suspension..... etc Can these parts be replaced using parts from ICE cars? As obviously we don't have any ev dealerships here. Of course Iam not talking about battery or drive train here. Thanks for your time

[@hubabuba3916]

I made almost 55k miles in 6 mos,not a single mechanical problem,only problems I had,was when hit pot hole and cut front tire,there is no spare tire, I was really lucky I was driving on front tire for few miles to tire shop.Foot rest plastic pad fall away,passenger door rubber gasket falls off,which I solved with super glue.Biggest issue with this car is charging time…Even on supercharger will take aprox 1h to 80% and from 80% to 100% another hour.Winter is worst.You’re not going be able to fully charge battery.Will take forever,and using heater or ac will decrease battery range by almost 40% of range. I can recommended this car only to people who drive daily under battery range(200~290 miles) and if you own garage and can charge this EV overnight when you sleep. Otherwise you will be spending hours daily charging car at superchargers.You have to be really lucky to get to supercharger and if not broken,be able to plug car right away or wait hours in the line.After all if you try to own EV and drive over battery range,you will be sorry and hybrid is a better choice.Kia dooing good job,I like the new’23 model and Kia EV6,which might be better choice

[@deasunodonnachadha6408]

We leased this just before Xmass 2021. Expedition died , was hoping it would hold out till the Cybertruck came out :( . But this car is very nice package, a bit pricey but we got a good lease deal. Cold weather loses around 15 to 20 miles in range. But we are just plugging into 110 outlet overnight and its been grand for us. And is fun as hell off the line... even in ECO mode :). First EV and its won me over. Love the one pedal driving. Has got me drooling for the CT!

[@R56Cooper]

Yes one pedal driving is one of the best features here in LA driving! Love the Niro EVs sleeper performance! Sport mode makes it a peppy hot hatch! Also awaiting my CT pre-order..... I'm guessing will be closer to 2025...!

[@TOURMANBOB]

I drive the 2017 Kia Niro EV hybrid and will continue to for some time. I just can't get my hands around not being able to take it for a long trip without worrying about charging it. The hybrid gives me unlimited range and also gives me FABULOUS mileage around 5.0 Km per 100 litres. Fill the tank for $40 and go around 1200 kms without a bit of worry. Love the idea of all electric but just can't shake that "range anxiety.....

[@R56Cooper]

Totally get it. I use the '22 Niro EV for car camping. The battery allows me to fold down the rear bench and sleep comfortable in the vehicle with the heat/ac on through the whole night. Range is closer to 275miles real world. Yes you do have to plan out your trips more (to charge), but for most driving, no more need to visit the gas station-- the main feature I am looking forward to with the 2023 Niro EV (redesign) is the Vehicle 2 Load feature-- which allows the battery to become a "generator" to power appliances, a camp site-- or even a house if the power goes out. I also love KIA's Highway Driving Assist (smart cruise + lane following assist). One of the best in the business and a game-changer for making roadtrips more relaxing and enjoyable!

[@Ruleof2plus1]

Just an FYI the motor does not spin backwards during regen it simply turns into a generator. I just purchased one yesterday and it's great. I also own a bolt

[@ytc6227]

Nice review. Thank you!

[@autotrader_ca]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@ytc6227]

@@autotrader_ca Battery range aside, the only thing stopping me from getting an EV is no charging in my condo. I believe the vast majority of condos don't have charging facilities, except new builds. My building would need a major electrical overhaul, and strata is looking into "in the coming years" (never gonna happen).

[@autotrader_ca]

@@ytc6227 Hi, Jodi here! I'm in the same situation. I would love to get an EV as my next car but my condo management has denied requests to install a charger!

[@iangardner2311]

@@ytc6227 one idea is to get 110v plug and include extra in your maintenence to cover the costs. Charging over night. Then randomly fast charging when needed.

[@adrianbargen9727]

Just bought one. If you turn that traction control off and put that in sport mode....you will be buying tires....

[@atlanticjatt7525]

Very informative

[@johncarson1427]

Could you please explain to me how regen breaking works. At the 11:00 min mark you mention that the motor spins in reverse to regen power to put back into the battery? Really!

[@danilika9420]

Hi, John! Regenerative braking is one of the coolest automotive innovations around, and it's fairly simple, too! Of course, all electric vehicles are fitted with conventional brakes; but the principles of regeneration mean that the electric motor can (and usually does by default) manage the majority of the job. Electric motors use a spinning rotor to create energy. So if that electric motor spins, say, clockwise when creating output energy, spinning it in reverse essentially turns it into a generator. It's still creating energy, but rather than using it to power the vehicle, the energy is diverted to the battery pack. It's really that simple!

[@johncarson1427]

@@danilika9420 so at highway speeds,say 70 mph, you are telling me that the motor instantly stops and reverses direction to become a generator and start charging the battery? That motor must be spinning very fast at 70 mph, to instantly reverse and not blow itself apart is quite amazing,and to do it so smoothly you can’t feel it happen is even more amazing. No wonder they cost so much. Then I guess a gas engine does this all the time too when you put it in reverse but I’ve never done it at 70 mph.

[@danilika9420]

@@johncarson1427 Yes, sir! That’s exactly how it works! Bear in mind that the motor spins in reverse instantaneously and not the wheels, of course, but think of it the same way an electric R/C car works. You can flick that joystick back and the motor responds as quickly as your hand. It works the same way here!

[@johncarson1427]

@@danilika9420 I'm trying to understand this Dan, so at 70 MPH I let off the accelerator pedal and the motor instantly reverses. But it doesn't reverse the wheels so it has to somehow disconnect from the motor from the wheels. So how then is energy stored as momentum in the moving car transferred to the motor to produce the energy to recharge the battery. Must be pretty amazing!

[@Testikels1]

Good review. How tall are you in cm? Is chair maximum low position?

[@danilika9420]

Yes, the seat’s as low as it goes here. I’m probably about 192 cm.

[@Testikels1]

@@danilika9420 thanks for the answer. Little headspace left even👍

[@kareemcrockett-sivels4371]

I love this kia niro ev ex😄

[@iangardner2311]

I agree. If it was $49,999. I would have already bought. Now waiting delivery of my ioniq 5 Ultimate. Only $5 grand more but much better.

[@danilika9420]

I’m looking forward to checking out the Ioniq 5 in a couple weeks!

[@lech111]

Hi, I have a question off this topic, but I hope I can me help. I get my Niro EV in two weeks - yeahhhh 🙂. But with summer wheels and the first thing I have therefore to do is to put the winter tires on it. But I can not find any recomendation in web for proper jack for Kia Niro EV and how to lift the car without any demages. What kind of jack should I use and how should I put it on the car? Thanks for your help in advance. Greetings from Germany

[@danilika9420]

Hi there! I would personally recommend having your winter tires installed professionally, particularly the first time; but if you'd like to do it yourself, a three-ton floor jack and a pair of jack stands is the safest and most reliable way to do the job. Enjoy your new car!

[@lech111]

@@danilika9420 Thanks a lot for your response. Regards Petr

[@speersron]

I have a 2020 Niro On a good day I get 470 Km on 100% charge.

[@falcolf]

I'd really feel a lot more comfortable if an EV had a 600-1000 km range as I do want to go on roadtrips!!

[@lyner47]

Does the Kia Niro EV have a heat pump?

[@danilika9420]

In Canada, both the EX+ and SX Touring trims have a heat pump.

[@lyner47]

Why does the Kia Niro EV not have Led lights throughout?

[@Reddylion]

Nice but looks dated now.

[@KsiNixNie]

'Range is on the low side.' Wait. What? Which EVs at that price can compete with that? Never mind the EPA numbers, but in real life. And why would the average user need 1000 km of range? I'm sorry, looks like you're still reviewing EVs with an ICE mindset.

[@AroundIndiana]

The exterior is so basic looking. Reminds me of a base model crossover from 2005

[@kahinamamouni5367]

Thats the kia e niro not the niro ev

[@rylans.5365]

e-Niro is the Euro spec name.

[@contra_plano]

It is giid to ear km...

[@smileandlaughs]

For 56k I might as well get a tesla. No wonder this car isn't taking off.

[@babyganga8786]

Really?? I just did a build and price on tesla website model 3 and it costs 70k.....

[@berrytrl1]

Yeah, but you can go to a dealership and find a Niro. How long are you going to wait for a Telsa SUV?

[@adofoi30]

That’s 56k Canadian!

[@ET3453]

Nothing wrong with this car. The problem is Tesla is hyped.

[@mamaanna]

8 месяцев пользовались. Разочеровались. Продали.

[@djy69]

It's still a Kia 🤦

[@mamaanna]

😂😂😂😂 300 km by 80%???