Experienced by Adrian McQueen
Photos by Adrenaline Lifestyles
The Kia Niro EV steps up big in the world of electric vehicles. Kia continues to push forward in staying relevant with the changes of the automotive world. The Kia Niro is further evidence of just that. The Niro EV launched at the International Electric Vehicle Expo in Korea and shares the powertrain and battery with the Hyundai Kona Electric. Kia America hit the New York Auto Show with the North American debut of the all-new 2023 Niro.
The 2023 Kia Niro comes LED fog lights, LED projector headlights, a Smart Power Tailgate, a gloss black rear spoiler and an aerodynamic panel along the C-pillar. The Niro also has power-folding side view mirrors and a sunroof. The model that we tested arrived in a snow pearl white hue. The Niro sits on 16” alloy wheels. I love the revised front fascia and the closed-off grille. Some sharper angles would give the Niro a sportier look that would come across more enticing.
The interior of the Niro is decked out with light grey upholstery, including the heated leather wrapped steering wheel. The cloth and Syntex front seats are extremely comfortable with spacious legroom for the riders to stretch their legs. The Niro’s cabin is wide enough four adults comfortably, but five adults is pushing it. I absolutely loved the upgraded eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Riding around to your favorite tunes, with studio quality sound, sets the tone for great vibes. The cabin is lit by ambient LED interior lights.
The 2023 Kia Niro EV has a great infotainment system. I loved the dual10.25-inch touchscreen equipped with Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchscreen is backed up by an array of analog buttons. The UVO eServices Infotainment System is offered, which is a subscription free OEM infotainment and telematics service. USB, auxiliary, and 12-volt ports are in the vehicle along with the wireless charging pad offered. I love all the techie features in this ride.
In the EV is the liquid-cooled lithium ion polymer batteries that is available in the 64 kWh version. It has a CCS charge port which enables DC fast charging at up to 150 kW. The on-board charger power is 7.2 kWh. Kia claims a full recharge from a 240-volt level two charging station takes 9 hours and 35 minutes, which we were able to verify, while charging from the parking garage at my job. There are now convenient charging stations at my local grocery store. The 64 kWh version has a range of around 239 miles on a full charge in the city and 180 miles on the highway. The Niro EV brings 126 MPGe in the city, 101 MPGe on the highway and 113 MPGe combined. Under the hood is a 201 hp permanent magnet electric drive motor with 291 lb-ft of torque that is speedy.
The Niro EV comes with great safety features such as the autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, driver attention alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and parking sensors.
I am convinced that Kia’s unmatched warranty is the way to go for budget friendly consumers. Kia is so confident in their new products that Kia offers a five-year, 60,000-mile limited basic warranty that includes roadside assistance and a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranties for the powertrain and battery pack.
The 2023 Niro EV is not a sports car but has a great response upon acceleration. The suspension did a great job in tight corners and turns, I didn’t feel as if I was being tossed around in the vehicle. The performance of the Niro is perfect for that daily commute and to get out and about in the city.
The model that we tested was the 2023 Niro EV Wave. The “Wave” is the highest configuration available, starting at $45,745 after Kia’s $1,295 destination charge.Key competitors that the Niro has to go up against are the Tesla Model 3, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Hyundai Kona EV and the Nissan Leaf Plus. I believe the Niro will do well attracting younger buyers and perform as a great daily driver. All in all, it works. Please enjoy the photo gallery.
