No, the Kia Niro is exclusively available in front-wheel drive variants. If you’re looking for a hybrid or electric SUV with all-wheel drive, have a look at the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, or Volkswagen ID. 4.
In This Article...
What is it?
The Kia Niro is a respectable (though rather uninteresting) family-sized crossover in both its “self-charging” hybrid and plug-in hybrid configurations. But the e-Niro is a totally different animal. If you completely give up internal combustion today, are you still an early adopter? Most likely not, but every time someone asks what vehicle you drive, you’ll have the chance to pull the “I’m doing my part, are you smug face.”
Even if the cosmetic differences from the conventional Niro may not appear significant, they at least give the e-Niro a distinct personality. The blue accents and closed-off grille are both chic additions, and the Midnight Black paint option makes them stand out even more.
If someone were to sit down and create such a thing, the Kia has consistently been at the top of the zero emission ranking for the past couple of years, making it one of the most popular EVs. The e-Niro is the approachable face of the future, giving you the ability to incorporate innovative technology into your life without having to put it in your face in the way that other more ostentatious competitors do. It is an electric vehicle, yes, but that is not what makes it special. Additionally, it does a fantastic job of serving as a useful family wagon.
Fans of facts, it only has front-wheel drive and comes with Kia’s first-ever rotary gear selector and single-speed automatic transmission. Inside, there is plenty of room for five adults, according to Kia, and the Niro was made to be the size in-between the Sportage SUV and the Ceed hatchback.
The e-Niro range offers a straightforward selection of “2,” “3,” or “4+” trims; the only choices are whether to choose finer paint (which costs about 600 more) and whether to enroll in one of Kia’s generously priced fixed service plans up to five years.
The entry-level 2 has a 39kWh battery that is brand-new for 2021 and a motor that has 134bhp of power, but you can upgrade to the 64kWh battery and 201bhp motor that come standard with the 3 and 4+.
The Hyundai Kona Electric, the e-main Niro’s opponent, has a far more fascinating appearance with its Stormtrooper style and wider color selection, but the e-Niro excels in pricing and utility. The 64kWh e-Niro offers a massive 6k (almost) saving on its cousin thanks to careful price list manipulation following the government’s plug-in grant restriction to cars under 35k. The 39kWh version may only be a few hundred pounds less expensive than the equivalent Kona, but it does offer a larger saving. The Kia’s shorter range of 282 miles as opposed to the Kona’s longer range is the only trade-off.
Going for the smaller battery will save you around 2,000, but it will cost you two seconds on the way to 60 mph and about 100 miles of range. The 3 and 4+ can go 282 miles in 7.5 seconds, compared to the 2’s 180 miles and 9.5 seconds.
Nothing else will go you as far for the price as the e-Niron, with the possible exception of a Volkswagen ID.3 or the aforementioned Kona. Before you get as far, you’ll have to consider more expensive competitors like the Tesla Model 3 and Ford Mach E to equal the mileage, then move on to more expensive rivals like Porsche and the like.
The Kia Niro is all-wheel drive, right?
The revamped 2023 Niro hybrid will use the same 139-hp hybrid drivetrain as the 2022 model, which combines a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor. The 2023 Niro will only be available with front-wheel drive and come standard with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic powertrain. An electric motor is added to the mix for a total of 180 horsepower in a plug-in hybrid engine. As soon as we get an opportunity to test-drive the new Niro, we’ll update this article with our driving impressions and the results of our tests.
Does Kia offer a hybrid all-wheel drive vehicle?
The 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid is a significant update to the brand-new SUV that was unveiled for 2021. There is a new plug-in hybrid variant, and all-wheel drive is now an option for the regular hybrid.
The Kia e-Niro just got even more attractive as one of the best mass-market EVs around with the introduction of an expanded range. Importantly, for the first time a 39kWh entry-level car is being made available in the UK meaning better affordability without sacrificing too much of what makes the e-Niro such a great car.
When we tested the Kia e-Niro First Edition during the winter, we described it as “just what an EV should be. Even in the single e-Niro ‘4’ standard that we were provided at the time, which came in at 34k, it represented good value for money with a realistic range of roughly 250 miles, a high level of kit, solid build quality, and plenty of space for a family.
With the addition of three additional parameters, Kia has addressed one of the few complaints we had about the e-Niro. The Kia e-Niro 2 is at the low end of the spectrum and introduces a 39kWh battery and a motor with less power to the UK market for the first time, enabling the on-the-road pricing to drop to $29,595. This lower-spec vehicle has previously only been accessible abroad. The “3,” which has a larger 64kWh battery and a more powerful motor, is further up the line, followed by the “4+,” which has the highest level of equipment.
New powertrain
Even though losing 25kWh from the battery capacity looks like a significant reduction, the new Kia e-Niro 2 is still an alluring package. With a battery capacity of 39 kWh, it has a range of up to 180 miles, which is longer than that of the upcoming Mazda MX-30, the larger-battery MG ZS EV, and not too distant from the 50 kWh Vauxhall Mokka-e. According to the WLTP cycle, the e-Niro 2 can travel up to 251 miles in an urban setting with much lower battery depletion.
The e-Niro 2’s motor produces 134 horsepower instead of the 201 that was previously offered, but it still accelerates the vehicle to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 96 mph with the same 291 lb-ft of torque. To put that in perspective, the 64kWh ‘3’ and ‘4+’ standard cars with the 201bhp motor exceed 104 mph and reach 60 mph in 7.5 seconds.
The performance offered by the base spec car is what we’d consider “ample” for the majority of people, although there will undoubtedly be a visible difference on the road, especially when accelerating at higher speeds.
Due to how each battery is handled during the charging cycle, charging is handled at up to 100kW DC for both battery sizes, requiring 54 minutes to reach 80% on either. The smaller battery attains 80% at 50kW DC in 57 minutes compared to 75 minutes for the bigger version. The “4+” model now supports lower powered AC charging at up to 11kW thanks to a redesigned on-board charger.
Three different spec levels
The “+” that has been added to the Kia e-“4” Niro’s specification car is there to indicate that it now comes standard with an AC 11kW three-phase charger, a first for the Kia e-Niro.
The Kia e-Niro comes equipped with a respectable level of equipment even in its base “2” configuration. A 7-inch TFT display cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen in the center console with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, DAB radio, and MP3 compatibility are all within the vehicle. A reverse camera and USB connections, including a rapid charger, allow wired phone connectivity. Automatic air conditioning keeps things cool, while other features like an electronic parking brake with auto hold, smart cruise control with stop and go, automatic headlights and windshield wipers, and LED lights up front and back make driving a breeze.
All models come equipped with a wide range of safety features as standard, including as forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, and driver attention warnings that warn of possible driver fatigue. Seven airbags keep occupants safe should the worst happen. ABS, stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, emergency stop signaling, and smart cruise help prevent collisions.
And those are only the highlights, so it’s obvious that the Kia e-Niro 2 is well-equipped.
If you upgrade to the e-Niro 3, you’ll also get heated front seats and a steering wheel in addition to leather upholstery. Wireless phone charging is possible, and the infotainment system has far greater specifications. The 10.25 inch touchscreen with an excellent sat-nav system is obviously included. The e-Niro 3 now has access to TomTom Live, which includes traffic, speed cameras, local search, and weather, as part of Kia Connected Services, in addition to full European mapping and a traffic messaging channel.
Drivers can easily access extra information, such as charging details, charger locations, and their availability, thanks to UVO CONNECT. A smartphone app that also provides remote access to a number of car features can be used to administer UVO CONNECT.
A one-touch tilt and slide sunroof, LED headlights with bi-function projection, heated outer rear seats, and ventilated front seats are included in the Kia e-Niro 4+, which sits at the top of the range. The cabin is made even more comfortable with ambient lighting, an eight-speaker, 320 watt JBL sound system, and to top it all off, front parking sensors and intelligent speed limit warning are featured.
Price and availability
You can order a Kia right now with any of the new specs by visiting a Kia store or ordering online. There are fewer reports of long wait periods for the e-Niro now that production has been increased, allowing the Korean company to complete orders much more quickly than it could at launch.
Price-wise, the e-Niro ‘2’ will cost you 29,595 after the PiCG, the ‘3’ will cost you 33,850, and the ‘4+’ will cost you 36,145.
Is the Kia e-Niro a good investment?
A fantastic 10.25-inch touchscreen is standard on all except the 2-spec vehicles. It has DAB, Bluetooth, sat-nav, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It is larger, clearer, and crisper than the eight-inch unit on entry-level cars, and it is just as well-equipped as the rest of the car.
Keeping with the “bells and whistles” theme, the e-Niro is equipped with a complete complement of safety features, including as automatic lighting and wipers, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance, which together create a very effective semi-automated driving mode. The sole omission is blind-spot monitoring.
How is driving like? Just as you would like. Although it’s worth noting that it also boasts 201 horsepower and lots of torque, making it rather speedy off the line, it’s comfortable, smooth, and easy-going. Although the 39kWh model only produces 134bhp, it has the same torque as the 134bhp model, making it equally punchy at low speeds.
The main enjoyment of this automobile comes from resting and taking in the ultra-quiet cruising and calming torque, but it can also be used to amusing effect to make a point at stoplights. The conventional steering wheel-mounted paddles that make it simple to adjust the brake regeneration settings are perhaps more useful.
The e-Niro is a fantastic electric family car overall. It’s easy to live with as a family, enjoyable to drive, pleasant to sit in, and crucially, gives the kind of range that should put the dreaded range anxiety to rest. Of course, you also receive Kia’s renowned seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Check out our report from driving an e-Niro for several months for more information, or continue reading for the rest of our comprehensive assessment.
Which issues does the Kia Niro have?
The braking system on the 2019 Kia Niro Hybrid is another model that has a flaw. Owners of Kia Niros vehicles occasionally felt no braking pedal pressure when applying the brakes. This has occasionally resulted in accidents.
An other frequent issue is a defective brake powertrain. The following powertrain problem has been confirmed by a few Kia Niro owners:
Even if it is in “park mode,” your automobile may roll back if you put it in park on a modest slope. Sometimes you have to hit the brakes to stop it from rolling back. The majority of Kia Niro owners claim to occasionally run into this issue.
Possible causes and solutions
What might be causing the brake system and powertrain is unclear. Furthermore, Kia hasn’t made any statements to refute or confirm the reports.
We advise returning it to the Kia dealer if you encounter any of those issues. They ought to examine your car to see if they can resolve the problems.
Set up a time to see your mechanic.
The issues will be examined by your mechanic. Don’t wait to take action if you notice any powertrain problems.
Transmission oil should be checked.
Every Kia owner should have the gearbox system frequently inspected for damage, according to Kia.
Verify your mileage.
It is essential to have your mechanic check or replace your transmission fluid as soon as you reach 30,000 to 60,000 miles. The frequency of your maintenance will depend on how you drive.
When driving your 2017 Kia, do not overbrake.
Transmission problems might be brought on by applying the brakes frequently or keeping your foot on the pedal.
Always keep in mind how important it is to have your brakes tested frequently. Use your engine braking system rather than your parking braking when driving on a mountainous terrain.
What distinguishes the KIA Niro plug-in hybrid from a hybrid vehicle?
The Kia Niro is a compact crossover with a variety of powertrain options, however none of them come with conventional diesel or gasoline engines. They are all hybrid/electric vehicles, and in this overview, we’ll walk you through the key characteristics of each trim level so you can choose the best hybrid/electric vehicle for you.
The base model, which comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, is where we begin. An electric motor and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are used to produce 139 HP. From 060 mph, the Niro accelerates in 8.6 seconds. Overall, it’s a pretty small crossover that provides excellent stability and control not just on smooth roads but also on bumpy ones. The steering is also fairly good, and drivers can switch to the sport setting to make the steering harsher.
The powertrain of the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid is identical to that of the standard model. However, the main distinction is that the hybrid model provides a substantially larger battery pack, which, according to the EPA, can add up to 26 miles, enhancing the EV range.
All-electric vehicle the Kia Niro EV has received high accolades for its DC fast-charging capabilities. It has a permanent magnet electric motor with 291 lb-ft of torque and 201 HP. It can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds, something the hybrid models just cannot do. Additionally, it is a little bit heavier than the other trims, which enhances its highway stability. However, compared to the other trims, it performs less well on bumpy roads.