The Kia e-Niro, an electric SUV, has been evaluated. It relies on its design without seeking to innovate further

The arrival of the first Kia e-Nir o on the market in 2019 came as a surprise to many, as many major automakers put the finishing touches on their electric offerings such as Volkswagen's ID.3 . Kia has launched a relatively affordable crossover that offers more range than virtually every other electric car except Tesla , as well as a spacious interior.

This model was a resounding success for the brand and seemed not to need to be renewed after only four years of marketing. Despite this, Kia has launched a second generation that must maintain this success at a time when it faces increased competition. The question is whether the Kia e-Niro is still a benchmark among electric cars.

Although the old e-Niro had a short commercial life, it was marked by intense success. This success prompted Kia to completely redesign the car by the end of 2022. The second generation of the vehicle features a less original but more attractive design, with a new front end and C-pillar body panels available as an option in the style of the first Audi R8, with a contrasting color for an additional 150 euros.

New costume, but same heart

The new design features slightly larger proportions, with an increase in size in almost every direction. Indeed, the car is now 45mm longer in length (20mm of which corresponds to the wheelbase) and 20mm wider.

With a total length of 4.42 meters, the e-Niro has more crossover characteristics than a compact SUV, such as the SEAT Ateca which is around 5 cm shorter and higher than the e-Niro. These dimensions provide the new Kia with relatively good roominess , which has improved significantly in this second generation.

However, although the chassis and dimensions have changed, this does not represent a technical revolution. The Kia e-Niro retains its 150 kW (204 hp) permanent magnet synchronous electric motor and the usable capacity of its lithium-ion polymer battery has increased by just 0.8 kWh, now reaching 64.8 kWh usable.

The Korean brand has announced a WLTP range of 460 km for its new model, which is similar to that of its predecessor which was 455 km . The charging power remains unchanged at 72 kW , while most of its competitors already offer powers above 100 kW .

The Kia e-Niro range offers three finishes from 43,300 euros , with the entry-level Concept, followed by the Drive from 46,965 euros , and the Emotion from 49,965 euros . Our test focused on the Drive finish , which offers the best value for money of the three.

The vehicle comes standard with several features, such as full LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, heat pump air conditioning, parking sensors and rear camera, wireless mobile charger, as well as a infotainment system with a touchscreen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a navigation function.

On board: more space

The newly updated Kia e-Niro features onboard changes, with a design and layout reminiscent of the Kia EV 6 . It has a single block for the two screens (instruments and infotainment), a round gear selector on the center console, and a steering wheel that curiously evokes those of the Citroëns of the 70s.

However, the e-Niro also has one or two unexpected perceived quality issues. This represents a novelty for Kia, which had for decades accustomed its customers to superior quality. Like many other electric vehicles , including those from the Volkswagen Group , some elements of the e-Niro sacrificed perceived quality to cut costs.

The materials used for the car's doors are less satisfying than what Kia has accustomed us to, as they are harsh and shiny. Of even greater concern is that the plastics surrounding the steering column produce squeaks when turning the steering wheel.

The upholstery, which is a mix of fabric and synthetic leather made from recycled materials, feels excessively thin for a car. However, only the test of time will tell if it is durable despite how it looks. Finally, the boot cover is a simple net.

The new e-Niro does not disappoint when it comes to interior space and comfort. The front seats offer a fairly satisfactory level of comfort, and it should be noted that there is a USB socket for rear passengers in the backrest. The latter will also benefit from more generous legroom than in the previous generation of the vehicle. In comparison to models such as the CUPRA Born or the Volkswagen ID.3 , the e-Niro offers even more space thanks to the slim design of the front seat backrests.

As for the trunk, it is more spacious than in the previous version, offering a storage capacity of up to 495 liters. The e-Niro is also equipped with a practical 20-litre front trunk , which is ideal for storing charging cables without disturbing or dirtying the main storage area.

Driving

The e-Niro is considered a car for everyone, suitable for both SUV and compact enthusiasts. Although it has a Sport mode which improves throttle response and reduces regenerative braking, it will not suit those looking for a sporty driving experience.

Although its 0-50 km/h acceleration is brisk and it reaches 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds, its chassis is not designed to provide a fun ride. The Continental EcoContact tyres, designed to reduce fuel consumption, emit squealing sounds when accelerating in bends.

Additionally, the car lacks body control, resulting in rocking and bouncing motions. As a result, a smoother ride is recommended.

The compact SUV is not intended to be very dynamic, but rather to offer great versatility for daily journeys. With this in mind, it excels by offering a good level of comfort in town and on the motorway, while effectively reducing aerodynamic noise.

Steering is relatively precise yet light, contributing to a relaxed ride. Despite this, the e-Niro can be fast at overtaking, accelerating from 80 to 120 km/h in 5.1 seconds. It should be noted that the Normal mode makes it possible to maintain performance while benefiting from regenerative braking which is particularly useful in town but less so on the highway.

The paddles located on the steering wheel to adjust the level of regenerative braking on the fly are very practical, as they allow you to choose between low energy recovery during braking and maximum recovery which allows driving with a single pedal in town, provided that you anticipate the decelerations well.

Consumption and range are crucial aspects for electric cars, and the Kia e-Niro does not disappoint. Indeed, it can reach a consumption as low as 12 kWh/100 km in the city, which gives it a range of more than 415 km despite an average in the city of 15.6 kWh/100 km .

When driving on the highway with an electric car, the benefits are not as obvious as one might think. On average, consumption is 23.5 kWh/100 km , which reduces the range to 275 km. Therefore, it is recommended to plan a break every 220 km or so, in case the planned charging station does not work or in case of unforeseen circumstances. In addition, the charging times must be taken into account, which can be somewhat longer than expected due to a limited charging power of 72 kW. It takes about 45 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.

Finally, although its cumulative average consumption is 19.5 kWh/100 km for an average autonomy of 333 km , this value is far from that announced by Kia which is 16.2 kWh/100 km for an autonomy of 400 km . km . Despite this, the Kia e-Niro remains very economical in terms of consumption in urban areas and on the road, but the highway remains its weak point. However, this is a common problem with all electric vehicles which is being solved by the increase in battery capacity offered by most brands.

The Kia e-Niro against its rivals

The Kia e-Niro has many competitors and replacement options, including the Hyundai Kona EV which shares a battery and motor with it, but is slightly more expensive. However, the Renault Mégane E-Tech is a viable alternative.

Although shorter (4.20 m), this French electric car is well designed for interior space and offers significant comfort, starting at 43,392 euros with a 160 kW (218 hp) engine . Equipped with a 60 kWh battery , it offers a range of 372 km (with an average consumption approved WLTP of 16.1 kWh/100 km ) and can be quickly recharged up to 130 kW .

The CUPRA Born , which measures 4.31 meters, can also be seen as an alternative to the e-Niro. It is available at prices ranging from 41,590 euros to 46,630 euros for the version equipped with a 77 kWh battery and a 231 hp motor with a fast charge of 125 kW. Although it offers similar comfort, it has a slightly less spacious interior space, but its behavior is much more dynamic. However, unlike the e-Niro, the essential heat pump is optional on the Born.

Although its autonomy is greater than that of the e-Niro thanks to a larger battery, the CUPRA Born is not the most efficient model in terms of consumption. In addition, the Volkswagen ID.3, which is the cousin of the Born, is also available, but its prices are higher, ranging from 43,660 euros to 54,445 euros, compared to the Kia.

The e-Niro's main competitor in this category will be the MG ZS . Although less powerful (115 kW or 156 hp) and offering less interior space, it can be more affordable with a price of 36,980 euros for the Long Comfort Autonomy version equipped with a 70 kWh battery. However, the MG ZS has a high consumption of 17.8 kWh/100 km in the WLTP cycle for a range of 384 km with a 68.4 kWh battery.

On the other hand, the Tesla Model 3 propulsion is a larger (4.70 m) and more equipped option with a power of 283 CV, a real range of around 400 km and access to the network of superchargers of the brand. All this for an attractive price of 39,990 euros. If you're willing to spend a bit more, the $46,990 Tesla Model Y rear-wheel-drive might also be an attractive alternative. It is important to consider these options when choosing an electric car.

Kia e-Niro: our review

Photo

Despite the improvements made to the Kia e-Niro compared to the previous generation, particularly in terms of habitability and design, Kia has rested on its laurels compared to the first generation. In fact, almost nothing has changed technically, and there are now many alternatives to the e-Niro that have greater consumption, autonomy and charging power.

Although one could have simply added a fast charging option up to 125 kW to compensate for the autonomy on the motorway, this was not done. Despite this, the Kia e-Niro remains a good family electric car and is still among the most recommended models today. However, it's no longer as revolutionary as when it launched with the Hyundai Kona , showing that there was life beyond Tesla.