Experienced by Adrian McQueen
Photos by Adrenaline Lifestyles
The 2020 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.
Upon first look you notice that the 2020 Kia Niro EV has a nice exterior design. The model that we tested arrived in a snow pearl white hue. The Niro sits on 17” alloy wheels. I love the revised front fascia and the closed-off grille. The blue accents over the lower air intake, with the blue accents around the fog lights, are a nice addition. Kia upgraded the Niro with LED daytime running lights and LED taillights. The Niro is moving to a sportier look with the rear spoiler but it could use some more sleek and sharper angles.
The interior of the Niro is decked out with charcoal leatherette upholstery, including the heated leather wrapped steering wheel. The seats and door panels have the same blue accents that are placed on the exterior of the Niro. The heated and ventilated 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. Nothing better than riding around to your favorite tunes with studio quality sound.
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 100 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. Kia has even partnered with Amazon for a no-hassle home installation service for a charging station. 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 123 MPGe in the city, 102 MPGe on the highway and 112 MPGe combined. Under the hood is a 201 hp permanent magnet electric drive motor with 291 lb-ft of torque that is speedy.
The 2020 Kia Niro EV has a great infotainment system. I loved the 10.25-inch touchscreen equipped with Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a 4.0-inch TFT instrument-cluster display. 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.
The 2020 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 decent It is a perfect ride to get out and about in the city.
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.
The 2020 Niro EV qualifies for a $7,500 federal income tax credit the year it’s purchased. It also earns state purchase rebates of $2,000 in New York and $1,500 in California, among other states, in addition to numerous regional and corporate incentives.
The 2020 Kia Niro EV is offered at a respectable price. The Niro EV EX Premium that we tested comes in at $47,090. In 2022 the Kia Niro will be available in all 50 states. 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 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. 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.
