Kia e-Niro 2020 specs: are the UK getting screwed over again?

If you've followed my videos since the beginning you'll know that I've been quite critical of the low-spec "First Edition" trim Kia palmed-off on the UK in 2019.
They're giving us more for the 2020 model year (they call it the "4" trim) but when you compare it to other markets, it's still a little sparse in areas.
I've compared this new spec to what lucky e-Niro drivers get in Netherlands and USA. Sorry if I've missed out your region - let me know if there's something missing in your region that we get in the UK (or vice versa).
Tweet me: @tillathenun

[@kjh789az]

I love a comparative tabulation, so thanks for researching. Disappointing to see the narrow UK spec, especially the missing safety feature, but as we die from a collision, at least we'll be soothed by the interior mood lighting. Doh!

[@joshbacon8241]

Why doesn’t the UK get the same spec?

[@neilfrith7864]

Useful video brother! Thanx, in the uk we have been screwed on spec for years from electronics to cars bloody everything!

[@ErikGeurts]

A Netherlands dealer told me that in our country the 11 KW on-board charge will be the default starting with the MY2020. They're still working on how to deal with this matter for customers who already ordered a car to be delivered next year at the time the price was still based on a 7.2 KW charger. Also, a sun roof might sound like fun, but it turns out to make the car (any car, really) a lot warmer in spring, summer and autumn, even when the shade is closed on the inside, causing a lot of extra AC usage. And that's a shame if you end up not having the sun roof exposed all that often. So my personal preference would always be to not get a sun roof, enjoy a cooler car and longer range.

[@simonkraushaar6955]

Erik is right, (I just ordered my MY20 Executive, to be delivered later this year before more taxation changes hit us here in NL) 11 KW as standard now. The MY20 model gets full UVO according the brochure at least...which allows remote pre-cooling or heating (although i believe this only works if plugged in...but i could be wrong about that part :) ) Kia Live looks really useful too. Not sure how widespread that is for other countries..

[@brianboru1975]

There were two trim levels offered for the 2019 Niro EV in the USA; EX and EX premium, the latter costing $5,000 more than the base EX. Kia designated the 12 states the car would be sold in as either a "cold weather" state or a "warm weather" state and equipped the cars for those states with either a cold weather battery warming package or a warm weather battery cooling package. You got what was designated for your state with no option to purchase the additional warming or cooling package. The base EX trim came standard with all the safety features, including smart cruise with stop and go, lane keep assist, blind spot warning, forward collision avoidance, etc. If you went with the EX Premium for $5,000 more you got leather seats, a standard sized power sunroof, power driver's seat, auto dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, heated and ventilated front seats, Led headlamps, Harman Karman premium audio with 8 speakers, and an 8 inch infotainment screen. Both trim levels came with 1 year free UVO and Kia has told us we'll have to pay for UVO after the freebie year but hasn't advised how much it will cost. We leased the EX trim and love the car. It's our first EV and we didn't want to go all out on our first EV and figure there will be a lot more EV options in two years time when our current lease ends. We missed your videos when you were on holiday and are very happy to see you're back posting again. Thank you for the hard work and time you put into producing them.

[@MrEV]

Thanks very much for your comment. That’s all very interesting. You’ve made a very good decision to lease. Great to hear you’re loving the Niro!

[@acelectricalsecurity]

how mad is that, depending where you live depends which version you have to buy, these cars just get better and better. Leasing is definitely the way to go with these cars, as when they come to 8 - 10 years old prices will plummet, they dont say that now, but i can guarantee around this period, when you go to part ex, dealers will be saying they will need a new battery pack and they are expensive etc etc, i can see it now.

[@AutoStartTest]

Great video as usual, I have a technical question for you, which camera do you use for recording at home and for recording in the car?

[@MrEV]

Thanks! I just use an iPhone X when I’m out and about and I have a Canon 5D MK II (with various lovely lenses) which I use when I’m in the office. I’d love to use the 5D more as the quality is amazing but it’s a lot more hassle!

[@iainmcintyre9900]

Thanks for researching all that!

[@davidh7596]

Hi Andrew- thanks for an informative video. It’s surprising what KIA already offer on the Niro 4 hybrid that’s not on the e-Niro. This is copied and pasted from the KIA brochure: • Heated Outer Rear Seats. • Ventilated Front Seats. • Electric Tilting & Sliding Sunroof. • Driver Power Memory Adjustable Seat. • Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) • Bi-Xenon Headlights. My local dealer forecast that once the First Edition was sold out, KIA would introduce multi-choice options, (levels 2, 3 & 4) as they have for the hybrid. Since I would have found the Memory Adjustable Seat extremely handy I held back my order, waiting for the e-Niro 4. Seems like I’ve been waiting in vain.

[@MrEV]

How frustrating. Why could they not have just offered extra trim levels in the UK?! They’d have made more money! I’d certainly pay extra for the memory seat.

[@hamshackleton]

Sun roof is great for back-seat passengers, but how often does the driver look up? Almost never! Rear usb, I imagine the wiring harness is identical, so all they have saved is the cost of the actual socket, then they have to make a blank to fill the hole!

[@joshbacon8241]

The fact that Kia are able to get away with screwing us Brits over compared to the US and the Netherlands when it comes to e-Niro spec is amazing, and I’m not entirely sure that’s for the right reasons.

[@-jonesy]

Thanks for the update biggest frustration will be the lack of blind spot collision - the rest is nice but no major

[@barryhaeger4284]

I took delivery of the First edition and sold it the week it was delivered for two reasons 1, the MG ZS EV launch with Blind Spot and cross-traffic warning plus Panoramic Sun Roof for £10,000 less thinking if it doesn't work out the 2020 eMiro will have level 3 and level 4 trim plus larger screen as announced for the 2020 Soul. With the Dynamic Red MG 2 weeks away I see that other than a larger screen in the 2020 there is little extra to shout about and kia still has such drab colours - if only they had the colours offered by their sister company Hyundai on Kona EV, but I guess the overlap would be too much for clear brand differentiation.

[@kevind4850]

Problem with the USA's Premium trim is that, except for auto reviewers, it seemed not to be very available. Mostly we received an "intro" package, later than the UK and in very limited numbers that disappeared from dealers as soon as they arrived. Yes, in the USA, the battery heat pump option was part of a "Cold Weather" option (worked very well, too).

[@anthonyschofield7807]

Many thanks for this,a little disappointing though,any word on the new Soul EV?

[@MrVegasoul]

Thank you for your review. I am feeling that 2020 e Niro looks more stylish. May be because of LED light and chrome guard?

[@be236]

I'm waiting for Kia Niro EV (as it's called in "the states") model year 2020 to arrive. for the slight updates over the year 2019 model.. not sure when...

[@billywiz1307]

Im no apologist for Kia but do remember there is £5,749 VAT on the UK e-Niro compared with about £3,500 in the states based on pre vat price of £28,745. So Kia are working to a price point that they hope will not scare the horses, therefore we lose spec. Blame our EXTORTIONATE VAT rate. Other than that, the current e-Niro is a brilliant car for the money.

[@MrEV]

That’s true. It’d be nice if the government would reduce the VAT to 5% for EVs!

[@MrRun61]

You are lucky. In Denmark they promise us UVO in 2021 Q4........and they say cars driving now might not be able to use UVO 😡 And we only have one white rear light . Not nice when it is dark. Left side has been replaced with a white reflex (which is illigal in DK) I have 2020 64kw and we are happy owners......but miss the UVO. Any idea how to sneak it in?

[@gertbeelen5805]

Nice video thx. I have one on order in Belgium. Here we have must and more trims. And also an extra luxery pack, containing the ventilated and leather seats. So those will cost extra over the more edition. So also within Europe a lot of difference.

[@IkkeVanAdel]

But I suppose that is still the 2019 model with the 8inch screen instead of the new 2020 interior? Can you bargain about the price or not? When I went looking for one 8 months ago I got a straight "NO" answer because they were new and blablabla.... but now almost a year later, I'm wondering.

[@gertbeelen5805]

@@IkkeVanAdelI have ordered the 2020 model, in the More version, without the luxery pack. It has the 10+ inch screen, but on the other options the are not clear. Possibly 3 phase charging... On the Belgian Kia website they are still showing the 2019 model, so it would be nice if Kia could be bit more tranparent.

[@MrEV]

That’s good to hear. Baffling they don’t offer the same options everywhere. Surely it’s a logistical headache for Kia?!

[@mikehughes5693]

Also Memory Seats ! US & Netherlands have them but we don’t and they are not in the 4+.

[@nigelcb1300]

Are the interior lights still old school filament bulbs?, just seemed a strange omission for a modern car

[@Mmac71]

Hi Andrew. Enjoyed the video. Can I ask if you or anyone else knows what spec we can expect here in Ireland in comparison to the English spec MY2020 model. Cheers.

[@MrEV]

Unfortunately I don’t know. Hopefully someone else here can tell us?!

[@wobby1516]

Two things that I would care about 1} blind spot warning. I have that on my Kona Electric 2} would like to have the 22 kWh 3 phase charging as there are a number of charge points about that are fast chargers that will push out more than 7 kWh. Sun roof, I’m not to fust about as my wife doesn’t like too much sun or wind and when raining, well! As the wiring harness will almost certainly be the same, I’d say it would be quite easy to add a rear USB port.

[@a6rrw]

Hi Andrew. When you checked the New specs were you able to find out whether existing owners would be able to retrofit things like the New app, led bulbs, or ambient lighting? Clearly a new dash display would require a lot of mods and would be too expensive but the other things should be doable? I fitted some aftermarket leds and they are very easy to fit, look good and give a marginally better light than factory fit bulbs. Not as good as I expected but ok. I presume the led lights in the new model will be more than just a bulb change? How are you getting on with the aftermarket app - is it worth getting?

[@barryhaeger4284]

There is some great work being done on Open Vehicle Monitoring if you are into aftermarket opensource development check these guys out and maybe get involved check them out at www.openvehicles.com/

[@MrEV]

I didn’t see any information about retrofitting those things. I can’t imagine Kia will offer them officially anyway. They had previously told me adding support for the app to the First Edition (which would need to include the telemetry module) was “highly unlikely”. The OVMS app is brilliant. I know I keep promising a video about it but Christmas has gotten in the way, sorry! Soon! 🤞

[@clansome]

I think the sunroof could have been offered as an option. Guess the problem is everyone wants it/no one wants it then they have a problem with delivery as it has to come a long way from Korea. Different for your Beemer or Merc (etc) which can be upgraded to your preference as it only has a relatively short distance to come.

[@no-oneman.4140]

Thanks for the informative video as always. Any chance you could compare the Niro 4 to the E Soul, from my limited research the Soul is better looking, better equipped and better value, not to mention some funky colours that are not at added cost. Agree with you re the sunroof, why can't they at least have it as an option. I'd definitely pay the extra, ok we don't get the sun but let there be light ...

[@MrEV]

Great idea. I’ll do a comparison early in 2020.

[@dcvariousvids8082]

Harman Kardon speakers give a more precise sound, while still producing excellent mid range and good full base. JBL gives a more rounded mid range and excellent base. A bit like B&W Vision speakers, which give a rich high & mid range, while still producing tremendous but precise base, (I have a pair). I’ve also got JBL Aliens, which are similar to the Vision but have a sub woofer for a more overall sound, without going for quads or more. The Harman Kardons that you have, are very nearly the same as the JBL Aliens; but yours produce a slightly more precise, sweater sound. However, there’s so many uncontrollable variables in a car/vehicle, even more so when the vehicle is moving. That hi-fi is just not possible. But a nice set of speakers can help. Fitting sound deadening materials to metal panelling could help too. But how much fuss & expense is it worth? When the roads are so bad and every other boy racer has an aftermarket un-silenced exhaust. In the end, accept you’re going to listen to radio or your playlist as background noise. If you really want to enjoy your music. Do so with no interruptions, on days when the neighbours aren’t in, aren’t mowing the lawn and when the kids are at someone else’s house.

[@MrEV]

Thanks very much for that!

[@jamesborriello1865]

Can you try to run uvo app to see if it works?

[@jonwetherell5214]

Blind spot feature may be unavailable in UK due to driving on the left.Just a guess

[@joshbacon8241]

Surely all they would have to do is re-program it for countries that drive on the left?

[@dkoenders]

Hi Andrew, no USB in the back here in the Netherlands. Also I believe the 2020 models comes without it 😔. I am waiting for my 2020 model, expected in May-June of next year.

[@MrEV]

It’s such an odd omission. Still, it’s a small thing really - it's a great car; you’ll love it.

[@nordishbynature268]

@@MrEV Warm Hello from northern germany, the charging plot in the back is a "normal" power socket. Normal in continental meaning... So there are two holes for the power plug, not the three pin you have in UK. My eNiro will probably com in mid of april O_O ; )

[@TheMagdiragdag]

In NL we have an app, but not the UVO app with which you can precondition the car; that is for the 2020 model. The current app is very basic in NL and only shows some things, but it is not very reliable. The reason for a late introduction to the UVO app in Europe is according to Kia because of privacy laws with GDPR in the EU (They had to rewrite parts of the software). - No USB power outlet in the rear, I think the top spec model in Germany will have the 230V power outlet (would love to have it, it is not even an option or retrofit) - The battery heater is the heat-pump system and is standard in most countries. As far as I know it doesn't preheat when getting to a charger like the Mercedes EQC and Tesla's. Perhaps with the UVO app and navigating with that app it will know when you are about to arrive at a charger and start preheating the battery.

[@MrEV]

That’s interesting you can’t preheat the car even with the UVO app - that explains why that’s not even possible in the OVMS app either. Someone else mentioned the power outlet: I had no idea! How great is that?! The First Edition in the UK has a heat pump but the battery heater is definitely (according to Kia, anyway!) something separate and is coming in the 2020 model. This is what they say it does: "A battery heating system is also fitted to the e-Niro, designed to insulate and warm up the battery while the vehicle is plugged in, minimising the adverse effects of cold temperatures.” Did I say it preheated when approaching a charger? My mistake if so! I was perhaps just overexcited at the prospect!

[@TheMagdiragdag]

@@MrEV The current app in the Netherlands can't pre-heat the car, but the UVO app can according to Kia, but only next year the Niro's with UVO support will be delivered. I always thought the battery was cooled and heated with the heatpump system, but perhaps I'm wrong. Although wintermode suggests heating the battery below -10 C. In depth reading in this article about the Kona: electricrevs.com/2018/12/20/exclusive-details-on-hyundais-new-battery-thermal-management-design/

[@jamesk4005]

Niro and Kona in the US have a total of five models between $ 36K and $ 46K plus a special model. Canada and GB have other options. Seems like a marketing exercise, or a group who can no make up their minds. So for me, the battery heater and heat pump decided that Niro was better. The extra $ 5 to 6k for the extra was too much for the the led, heated seat, and navigation Your comment about how the nav was rubbish warmed my heart. I use a better route planner

[@NotColourful_falcon]

You have blind spot monitoring on the Kia niro hybrid top specification, don't know why you can't get it on the electric

[@karldavies2440]

I wonder if we will be able to retrofit the first editions with some of the options, or whether we will get the App?

[@MrEV]

Some people have fitted LED bulbs themselves but I don’t think Kia will be offering any retrofits themselves, sadly. Silly really as they could make some money from it!

[@Isaac-un4cn]

One quick comment - the 11 kW charging option won't come to the USA because the USA doesn't have 11 kW chargers anywhere. Overall I find it startling that you guys in the UK don't get blind spot collision warning: that comes standard even on the lowest trim model of the Niro EV in the US. Seems like the UK top spec car is priced like the EX Premium but only has half the extra features that US EX Premium has over EX (has good stereo & larger touch screen, but does not have ventilated seats or sunroof).

[@MrEV]

Interesting! Thanks.

[@flensem27]

In Germany you can get a sunroof und die 11kW charger for extra money. The 11kW charger costs 500,- €. There are no differences between JBL and Harman/Kardon. It is the same company. In Germany you do not get a USB Port for the back seats, but a 200W charger. I really like my Kia e-Niro 2020.

[@vinnieomahoney6359]

Huge fan of these, hoping when new comes out there more freely available and yes I’d go for the red as well, would be nice to have interior colour choice as well, Uber drivers will snap these up, MG need to up there battery game, range is rubbish, but love the roof, again Kia needs a full panoramic roof

[@MrEV]

The current MG is at a pretty good price point but, yes, it’s not a great range. I don’t understand why they couldn’t offer a larger battery option as well.

[@Rockinthehill]

greetings from the U.S. I'm almost embarrassed to say. I wanted to clarify what you said about Homelink. It dosent automatically open up your garage door. You have to push a button on your mirror which you program one time after getting your new Niro home.

[@MrEV]

Thanks so much for the clarification! Homelink sounds great!

[@mikeuk4130]

The better spec would have taken the sting out of the price increase. I can't believe the canny South Koreans won't spec the UK model sensibly, but I expect I'll still get one as long as Boris is still promising a better charging network. I'd rather not have the s/r, but to omit the blind spot warning and rear USB seems really churlish to me.

[@JohnRoss1]

The Koreans build the car to the specs that UK Kia thinks will sell (and fit in their model line) in the UK market. Kia Canada decided everyone gets a sunroof, heat pump, etc and also spec'd a cheaper model to qualify the Niro EV for a federal EV grant. All Canadian Kia's get UVO connectivity for 5 years so the all EV models get that too.

[@TheEVside]

great vid chap Uk does always seem to get shafted

[@MrEV]

Thank you, sir! Yes, we do. I kept wanting to say “it’s rip off Britain I tell you” but then I’d just sound like my Mum.

[@MrTinkx]

Andrew Till And as we voted to be poorer with Brexit and looking like a harder one it will most probably get worse 😟

[@ScrapKing73]

@@MrEV When comparing spec vs price, remember that in Canada and the U.S. sales taxes are usually added on to the advertised price when things are purchased. In most of the rest of the world, sales taxes are usually included in the advertised price. So when comparing prices make sure you're looking at the pre-VAT price. Suddenly the comparisons are much more favourable!

[@gzcwnk]

Didnt/doesnt the 2019 e-niro have a mains voltage plug in the back for the USA?

[@peterbodifee]

I am in Canada and mine has a mains plug on the back of the center console.

[@MrEV]

That’s fantastic! I had no idea.

[@richardprosser9305]

We have an e-Niro on order and yes we would like to have the Panoramic sun roof as an option. So still a bit dissapointing!

[@brianboru1975]

I'm in the USA and there is no option for a pano roof. There are two trim levels (EX and EX Premium) and a regular sized sunroof is standard on the Ex Premium trim, which is $5,000 more expensive than the base EX trim.

[@jeffreycooper8408]

Is that an oxymoron, a battery heater being a cool thing ?

[@ScrapKing73]

Yes, because an oxymoron is something that sounds like it should be wrong, but nonetheless is correct.

[@awgphoto]

I am having a difficulty of whether to go for the e-Niro 4 (Sep 2020) and the 4+ (delivery Mar-Apr 2021). I test drove the e-Niro with the large 10.25" screen. There is so much differing information out there on Kia website and KZbin on whether the 10.25" is available on the UK 4 model or do I need to wait for the 4+. Can anyone clear this up confusion for me?

[@MrEV]

Yes, that lovely 10.25” screen is on the 3, 4 and 4+ trims. The e-Niro you test drove would have been the 4.

[@awgphoto]

@@MrEV Thank you for confirming that. I will be going for the 4 and hopefully pick it up next week.

[@MrEV]

@@awgphoto Exciting! Enjoy it!

[@Kippax237]

Really helpful these videos and finally decided to bite the bullet and have ordered the eNiro 4. Delivery time estimated between 6-9 months 😕

[@MrEV]

Great news, Craig! You’ll love it. Fingers crossed it’s more like 6 months.

[@antwnpowell]

My Kia e-Niro arrives this week, will it be 2019 spec or 2020 spec?

[@MrEV]

Congratulations! Most probably 2019 spec. Since there’s not a great deal of difference between the two in the UK, you’re still getting a wonderful car and great deal. Enjoy it!

[@antwnpowell]

@@MrEV Actually it is a French spec, and it is in a garage in Brest, whilst I am in the sunny costa del sol, not able to pick it up till March.

[@mattpitt]

Is there any upgrade to the DC charging rate or is it still limited to 70kw?

[@MrEV]

They’ve not upgraded it so it’s still 77kW, sadly.

[@mattpitt]

​@@MrEV That's a shame - perhaps next year then. As I think you alluded to in the previous video it's only really the charging speed and infrastructure (not Kia's fault that one) that let's this car down a bit. If you don't need to charge up fast on road trips it makes a lot of sense to get this car.

[@neilbrandon]

Perhaps the JBL and Harmon Kardon audio speakers are just branded differently?

[@MrEV]

Apparently they’re owned by the same company. So yes, probably the same and just different brands.

[@neilbrandon]

@@MrEV yes. I did some digging and found that out too. It's one of those things I find rather insulting. A bit like thinking a traditional old British sports car is now an electric car...but actually just a brand name of a Chinese company.

[@danieldarcy7862]

Update to my comment below. I meant KiaUK of course , not HyundaiUK. So anyway, had test drive in eniro at weekend and was so impressed I put down a deposit. Decided I'll have to live with the absence of blind spot warning! Downside, delivery estimated July 2020 so have to hope grant situation not changed/removed by then.

[@MrEV]

Well done! I can’t imagine they’ll remove the grant just yet but all bets are off with this government!

[@gzcwnk]

Do you have sat nav in UK? and heat pump?

[@richardhaywoodh]

Yes

[@dcvariousvids8082]

First time I heard about the eNiro not having LEDs all round, I was disappointed. But looking at various vids, the halogens were doing a good job. I really can’t understand why Kia choose not fit RCTA, on a vehicle that you drive into public chargers. Where you’ll then be reversing out into moving traffic. Nor can I understand, why there’s no BSCW/BSD & alert. I can’t stand auto dimming rear view mirrors. My present car has it and it’s near useless to absolutely useless. Only working if the following vehicle’s lights hit the sensors at a particular distance and at a particular height. So it doesn’t dim for the lights of lorries, pickups, SUVs, motorcycles, bicycles, 4x4s, busses or sports cars. As to not having a sunroof - once had a car with one and after a few years it leaked worse than the Titanic. Due to Fiat not making spares, I ended up sealing it shut with silicone mastic. So I’m glad the eNiro won’t have one. I would have liked a 12v in the boot, so fitting a rear camera, would not entail running a wire the length of the vehicle to get power. And why oh why, do the rear passengers not have any heating vents? It’s like Kia saying, You can carry more than one passenger. But the ones in the back, will have to don their wool that’s, insulated coats, winter mittens and hug hot water bottles.

[@tvtech77]

The battery heater is for cold weather not to precondition the battery for charging.

[@MrEV]

It doesn’t precondition the same way a Tesla would, for example, but by heating the battery in colder weather, that does enable faster charging.

[@tvtech77]

@@MrEV it is not for charging it is to prevent the battery from freezing. Think of it like an engine block heater.

[@nicholasrigg8999]

The 2021 4+ gets all the bells and whistles but is of course a higher price

[@johnroberts118]

We have had an e-niro since April. Great car and very happy. Comfortable, quick and great range. Was disappointed that blind spot missing. Think that an error by Kia. I guess the issue for people like kia is that the pound value has been all over the place since the brexit vote. The have too put extra margin in to take out that risk.

[@MrEV]

Great to hear you’re enjoying it! I agree: the pound must make things difficult. Manufacturers either make the price competitive and remove specs or just do what Tesla do and expect us to pay much more. Tesla have the luxury of being at the higher end of the market of course!

[@PixelProfessor]

Samsung Electrics own Harman/Kardon, who also own JBL. Basically the same hardware, with different badges. JBL Speakers were the choice of cinemas, as JBL speakers were the original equipment used in the development of Skywalker Sound's THX

[@MrEV]

Amazing! THX so much. (Sorry for the Dad pun; couldn’t resist.)

[@MikeWeida]

Jbl is not such a big consumer brand here in the states. Mostly known for pro audio.

[@danieldarcy7862]

For me lack of blind spot warning is a deal breaker. It is the most important of all the new hi - tech aids. Every level of Leaf including the entry level Acenta has blind spot warning! Strangely they have put it on the Soul. Bad move HyundaiUK. You've lost one sale at least.

[@MrEV]

I’ll have to do a comparison between the e-Niro and Soul. I had assumed the specs would be identical. The Soul is beginning to look like the better deal.

[@danieldarcy7862]

@@MrEV The only difference I have spotted at the moment is blind spot warning and reverse cross traffic warning on the Soul. However the entire range of colours (complete with contrasting roof) IS INCLUDED in the total price not a £600 option, and you can actually get exciting colours not just dowdy ones .Delivery on Niro July 2020 but not sure about delivery on Soul. That could be the downside.

[@danlovett2158]

We got an email this week from dealer saying we should hopefully see ours April May next year, so that will be a year they have had my £1000 deposit

[@esuomz]

£1000 deposit?! I put down only £250 deposit for mine in June. Unlucky.

[@danlovett2158]

@@esuomz You was lucky my friend, I've told them everytime I'm in town I shall be using their fast charger 👍

[@MrEV]

Exciting! That is a hefty deposit. I put down £0 for mine. (Sorry!) 😬

[@esuomz]

@@MrEV yeah it seemed to change the later you did it, due to the uncertainty of when you was actually going to get your car 🤷‍♂️😆

[@danlovett2158]

@@MrEV Wow, wish had, I shall be asking for as many freebies as possible

[@Rockinthehill]

As an owner of the 2019 Niro Hybrid S Touring, I would never buy an all-electric. I hate the idea of having to always be chasing down charging stations and plotting any long trips around charging and waiting long periods around those charging stations. Plus the extra amount you pay for an all-electric would buy a great deal of petrol.

[@MrEV]

Never say never! Battery size and charging times are improving all the time. The Niro EV may not be right for you at this moment but give it a couple of years and I think you’ll find there’s something to suit you. As for the cost, EVs are certainly more up-front but cheaper to run and service, less can go wrong and there’s the good resale value as well. If you can charge at home, that’s pretty great as well.

[@PSKyleuk]

I have just ordered a 2020 eniro and am a bit excited. I dont care about a sunroof I can count how the number of times in 10 years i have used my on my CRV which has a panoramic however I do care about the blindspot warning. I dont get the economics of cutting minor items here and there surely it would be cheaper to simplify the manufaturing proscess by eleminating differences(other than left and right hand drive that is!) Keep up the good work Andrew I am following in your footsteps as I will be trading in or selling my 2015 Leaf

[@davehill915]

Paul Kyle I’ve just got a del. date of 18/05/2020, I ordered on the 10th April 2019, best of luck with your del. date😁

[@PSKyleuk]

thanks Dave i am planning ahead the pcp on the leaf finish’s next December so if i get it in September, which the dealer reckons as likely i will be happy enough. We tested the new Leaf and if I had to settle for it, it would not break my heart if i settled for it but the eniros is streets ahead, but you do get all the electronics on the leaf

[@MrEV]

Congratulations! Great choice; you’ll love the e-Niro.

[@Masq09]

That’s really interesting. I placed my order at the end of May 19 and been somewhat concerned by the complete lack of communication from either the garage or Kia. Can I ask how you found out? Was it the garage or Kia that contacted you? Had you had any contact before then?

[@RicksPoker]

Kia Lied to me about my Electric Vehicle. I was looking for a plug in hybrid which could go 50 km without using any gasoline. We were told, the Kia Nero Plug In Hybrid could only get 38 km range, before it needed to use gasoline. My wife and I thought long and hard about this, and decided that 38 km would be enough. We bought the car, and found that we were not getting 38 km; we were typically getting zero km before the gasoline motor kicked in. It would be totally charged, and the gasoline motor would kick in. It would be near full charge, and the gasoline motor would kick in WHILE WE WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. It would be near a full charge, and the gasoline motor would kick in while we were going down steep hills, recharging the battery from regenerative braking. For the last 20 trips, the car tells me how much range I'm getting from my car. In normal driving we never went over 38 km, so we should be spending 0 litres of gas per 100 km. We are getting around 5 L / 100 km. All this is money and pollution out the tail pipe which is totally unnecessary. Three times I took it into Kia Service and was told, "it is working as it is designed to." Finally the service guy said, that it was in the technical manuals that the gasoline motor would kick in all the time. I said, "I was told by the sales guy that it would have 38 km range, and I'm not getting a fraction of that!" The service guys said, "Take it up with the sales guy, it is working correctly." So I talked to the sales guy, and he told me, that that is what Kia Canada told him the car would do. I escalated it to the manager, and we went on a test drive, and I demonstrated to him the problem. The gasoline motor kicked in as soon as we started driving, even tho I had 90% charge. The gasoline motor kicked in going down steep hills, while recharging the battery. He said that he would look into the problem and do his best to see I was satisfied. What was his best? -- I could keep this car I was unhappy with, and hope that there might be a software update. (This is a zero chance event, I now know.) -- I cold keep driving this car I'm unhappy with, and in 1 or 2 or 3 years, maybe, they will create a car that works. Then I can trade this one in and buy a NEW car from them. THIS was his best offer. Not very impressive. To get rid of me I was told to call Kia Canada head quarters. "They are where the authority lies." I did so, and they told me the dealership is where I need to go to find recourse. (Apparently this is a standard strategy with this company.) I said what they had done was false advertising, and I could complain to the consumer protection board. They told me to "do what you want." I called back to the dealership and they never return my calls. Kia lied to me, and I will never buy from them again. I _strongly_ recommend that you check on line for people who have had terrible service from Kia. They are super nice when they are selling to you, but they lie. Many people online have complained about terrible service. Beware of buying from this company. Warm regards, Rick.

[@markmd9]

You can do 50km on pure electric with the plug-in version but you should have 100% battery, be very soft with the pedal, drive slow (max 90km/h) and have mild weather so the heater or AC won't be running and draining your battery (you may even turn it off). Kia put a weak electric motor in it so if you push the pedal harder then it will kick in the engine and if is on it might run for a while before turning off even if you are going down the hill. Didn't you watch some reviews before buying it? Check out the test drive of this well known Norwegian EV driver: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoLcq5RrdrV_mKs He had tested electric range.

[@RicksPoker]

@@markmd9 Hi Mark md9, 9 months of the year, the gasoline engine came on at once. I was making ZERO km before I started spending gas. There is a happy ending. I sent KIA a registered mail saying I was suing them. Then they took me seriously, and gave me $3,000 for false advertising. I had to sign a claim form where KIA admitted no wrong doing, and I gave up all legal claim in the case. Warm regards, Rick.

[@markmd9]

@@RicksPoker if you push hard the pedal it will start the combustion engine right away no matter the battery status. I try to understand are you a rough user or the car is really defective. See the guy in the link video doesn't seem to have this problem. Did you tried to fully charge the battery at home, push only slightly the gas pedal and don't have the AC to the max?

[@RicksPoker]

@@markmd9 Hi Mark md9. I fully charged the battery, was not using AC, and I am not heavy on the pedal. Nor do I use heated seats in the winter, but I do use the heater to blow warm air on the windshield. (In cold weather the windshield always fogs up here.) This problem started with my KIA in April of 2019 using that year's model. I twice brought it in for the gas motor running when it had plenty of charge, but the service centre said it was working properly. In the summer months, the gas motor kicking in became a very rare problem. However in the fall, (as it got colder), the gas motor started running almost every time I started it. On 2019, October 28th, I brought it in and complained to the service centre. They tried to blow me off, but I just stood there and insisted that this was a problem. The guy talking to me talked to their service manager, then told me that "the gasoline motor had to run to warm the battery". I said that this was NOT was I was told when I bought the car. I specifically told the salesman that I wanted a vehicle which I could do 98% of my driving using no gasoline at all. (The exception being an occasional long trip.) They told me to talk to my salesman, who was Noah. I went to Noah and complained about the problem. A manager Mr. Northcote intervened, and I explained the problem. I went on a test Drive with Mr Northcote, and he verified that I was driving the vehicle appropriately. In fact, I went up a steep hill, and he was surprised that the gas engine didn't kick in. But I was running it slowly and steadily and not being heavy on the accelerator. Note that even tho I had 35 km of battery range, when we started this test drive, the gasoline motor kicked in and ran until the battery was warmer. When we were going down a steep hill, the gasoline motor kicked in, while the battery was charging with regenerative breaking, which surprised Mr. Northcote. He was unwilling to test another vehicle on his lot. He said, "I'm confident that the other vehicle would behave the same way." (Looking back, he never ONCE admitted that there was any sort of problem, tho.) However, when it came time to refund my money, and take back the defective vehicle, he told me to pound sand. I was willing to lease the vehicle for the months that I had driven it, but he was not interested. I was angry every time that the vehicle burned gasoline uselessly. He told me to call KIA Canada, because "they had the power". I did so and they told me to call the dealership because "they had the power." I called the dealership and Mr. Northcote refused to return my calls. At this point, I basically declared war on KIA. I enlisted some friends to verify how my vehicle ran and go in to KIA to get in writing that it should get 38 km before the gas motor kicked in. They made sure this point was specifically addressed. On friend, who was hard of hearing, in fact got ALL of these false claims written down on KIA stationary and signed but the salesman. Having collected my evidence, I sent them a letter via registered mail, saying I would take them to court. After threatening to sue, I was contacted by Mr. Endresen, the general manger of the dealership. He said that this was the first time he had heard of the complaint, (which should have been escalated to him.). He asked me to bring in my vehicle. The service centre told him the vehicle was behaving as designed, and he tested it to see if the gasoline motor was starting when it had plenty of charge. He tried to up-sell me on a newer model, (given the problem I had had, he was willing to offer me a really good deal), however, he could not assure me that the new vehicle would manage 38 km in cold weather. (Actually the 2020 model was supposed to reach 50 km on battery alone.) For some reason, my wife and I had little desire to spend more money for KIA vehicles, so I refused. He also listened to my call to KIA Canada, (which was recorded), and said that they were 'unsympathetic' to me, considering that I had a valid complaint. I could hear the sneer in the voice of the woman talking to me over the phone, so I thought that calling it 'unsympathetic' was an understatement. He offered me $3,000 to quit my claim on the false advertising charge, and I accepted the offer earlier this year. -*-*- So despite your attempts to convince me that this is NOT a problem, I assure you it is. KIA agreed to the tune of $3,000, and I was told that the sales team would be better educated on how their vehicles behave. I suggested that they needed a better battery management system for their plug in hybrids. If there was an electric heater for the battery, my range might drop from (say), 38 km to 25 km before the gas motor kicked in, but that would surely be better than it getting ZERO km before I started to burn gasoline. If you care so much, I suggest you contact Mr Endresen, general manger, at KIA WEST, 1881 United Blvd, Coquitlam, BC, V3K 0B6, PH [phone], and discuss with him the problem. He paid me enough to not sue, but I am not a fan of KIA, their vehicle service, their customer relations, or their vehicles. I did agree to throw out my... "KIA Auto Lied & Cheated Me." t-shirts (bright yellow block letters, front and back, on a black shirt). With the pandemic, I barely wore it in public so it was $25 spent for little return, but it made me feel better. (I did tell the guys at the T-shirt place all about my experiences tho.) I am still driving the damn car, and it still has the gasoline motor come on the second I start it, in cool or cold weather. Warm regards, Rick.

[@richardhaywoodh]

Thank you Andrew. Shame on you Kia, brilliant car but please be honest and call it a '3' unless you are going to give the 2020 model FULL '4' spec that the hybrid has. Sunroof, blind spot collision, vented seats and rear usb charger (bet this would cost you less than £5 to provide!)

[@barryhaeger4284]

Makes you want to buy a Plug-in (PHEV) Hybrid, doesn't it!

[@richardhaywoodh]

@@barryhaeger4284 except Plug in does not heat the inside of the car unless the engine is running!

[@logant6490]

One thing i don't get, is the lack of a basic entry level vehicle stripped of many of the nice, but unnecessary and expensive features. At £35k this is a complete non starter for the vast majority of people.

[@MrEV]

I agree it’s far too expensive for most people. I do wonder how much lower they’d actually be able to go though. I can’t imagine they’d be able to shave off very much as the spec isn’t too high to begin with.

[@acelectricalsecurity]

this is nothing new for cars sold in the UK, as for collision avoidance people should pay more attention to their surroundings rather than rely on electronics, unlike people in the UK, Americans do tend to use the garage for its intended design, although British builders like to build a garage where you can get the car in, but have to get out by the sunroof and in this case it would be no good as this car doesnt have a sunroof. I cant believe people are moaning about not get a few extra items, blimey every car made has indicators but only a tiny percentage use them and they are essential, these things aren`t ,if they are that important pay extra for them. If these items were included the car would cost more anyway.

[@davidpearn5925]

Our archaic Australian Federal Government is proud of it’s ability to dissuade EV manufacturers from undermining their backers.

[@KukkiTaekwondo]

Come to Korea. We have better options.

[@JamesBrown-ux9ds]

Maybe you are complaining a little bit too much? Rear USB? How often do you use it? Provide an extension cord, 2€ at the next china market. Not enough colours? Have it wrapped - increases value. Glass roof? Aftermarket. And so on. Finally, negotiate harder, get more discount, make a profit from the missing. Make your wife self-employed. Get an order in return for her from the dealer. ... Because I am responsible for the success story(s). (Of most of the people around me - once I started they will get used to, and never again expect different.🤗🤔😆🥀)