Nimble Compact Crossover Is Amongst The Greatest
When the all-electric Kia Niro was launched in 2019 it adopted the 2017 Niro hybrid after which the 2018 Niro plug-in hybrid electrical automobile (PHEV). Clear Fleet Report has been impressed with all three variations, in addition to Kia’s eco-friendly philosophy that this yr noticed the debut of the all-new, all-electric EV6. Keep watch over Kia as they proceed to be a frontrunner introducing new electrified fashions.
Clean Operator
The 2022 Kia Niro EV has a single 150-kilowat (kW) motor that produces 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. It’s 0 – 60 occasions are just below eight seconds, nevertheless it felt faster than that, particularly when zipping round city or in Sport mode. The opposite driver-selectable drive modes are Eco, Eco+ and Regular, with Eco being the default setting. Regular is the compromise setting for vary and responsiveness, whereas Sport mode is the place a bit extra spirited driving is discovered.
The Niro EV has an EPA estimated driving vary of 239 miles, however in our real-world driving delivered 273 miles. This vary is excellent and equals or exceeds electrical automobiles costing way more.
Charging
The liquid-cooled 64-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion polymer battery pack is replenished by way of plug-in charging and regenerative braking. The regenerative charging system converts kinetic vitality into electrical vitality, when making use of the brakes or coasting, and shops it within the battery. This course of might be considered on a splash gauge the place you may watch the facility move into and out of the battery.
The Kia Niro EV additionally has one pedal driving. The steering wheel-mounted paddles modify the quantity of brake regeneration. When set within the strongest degree, it’s going to convey the Niro to an entire cease whenever you elevate your foot off the accelerator. As soon as mastered (which takes little time), one pedal driving means you do not want to depress the brake pedal, leading to smoother driving. By persevering with to carry the left aspect paddle, the Niro will stay stopped till launched. There are a number of advantages to 1 pedal driving, together with prolonged brake life and decreased driver fatigue.
The 7.2 kW onboard charger has three plug-in charging choices which be managed by an app to can set the day and time of recharging.
- 120V (Degree 1) – 2.5 days to 100%
- 240V (Degree 2) – 9 hours, 35 minutes to 100%
- 480V DC Quick Charging – 1 hour, quarter-hour to 80% with a 50 kW charger
- 480V DC Quick Charging – 1 hour to 80% with a 100 kW charger
Right here is extra info on the way to cost your Niro EV.
Driving Expertise: On The Highway
The Niro EV’s 3,854 kilos really feel stable and assured on the highway. The well-distributed weight is as a result of under-floor battery placement that creates a low middle of gravity, leading to superb driving dynamics. The motor pushed energy steering was well-tuned for highway really feel, with maneuvering on the town, particularly parking, being simple. The heated steering wheel is simply the proper thickness for consolation and management.
The entrance MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension delivered a clean and steady journey; tire and wind noise are at a minimal. The 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 215/55 Michelin Primacy all-season tires tires had been quiet, however restricted sporty driving.
The regenerative braking system, with four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and brake help, produced straight and true stops with no brake fade. The nice braking whine when stopping reminds you no gasoline is being burned.
However what’s that different noise when driving beneath twenty miles per hour? Have aliens landed? Not fairly, however the sci-fi whirring noise, heard when driving slowly, is the Pedestrian Warning System. Consisting of a speaker mounted behind the entrance bumper, this futuristic sound lets pedestrians know the Niro EV is shut by. With out it, there isn’t a sound in any respect coming from this all-electric crossover.
Clean Design: In and Out
The brand new Kia emblem is the one change to the 2022 Niro EV. The fashionable and uncluttered design is a carry-over from the earlier yr. The entrance grille is closed off with a diamond patterned faceplate, and the decrease air consumption is trimmed with a tasteful blue accent. The cost door is positioned on the entrance, which is way extra handy than when positioned on both fender. The LED daytime operating lights, positioned within the backside fascia, full the clear entrance finish design. The gently sloped hood attracts a clean profile to the A pillars, resulting in a near-flat roof, with rack rails and a shark fin antenna, that tails off to an built-in spoiler over the rear hatch window. The horizontal LED taillights and clean surfaced hatch end off the rear. Blue accents adorn the decrease rear fascia; a really demure “Eco electrical” badge rests on the decrease proper nook of the hatch.
Climbing inside, the spacious cabin contains ample leg and headroom up entrance and sufficient for 2 six-footers within the rear seat, separated by a middle armrest with cup holders. The fold-down 60/40 cut up rear seat produces a cargo space, with under-floor storage, that has easy accessibility by way of the big hatch opening. The flat flooring additionally offers for additional cabin house and legroom.
Clear Fleet Report was driving the Niro EV EX Premium mannequin with comfy and supportive heated and ventilated entrance seats. All seats had been lined with SynTex, an artificial leather-based seat materials that’s comfortable to the contact, resists spills and is simple to scrub. The motive force will get 10-way energy adjustable with lumbar, whereas the passenger will get 6-way guide changes and absolutely reclining seat perform. Outward visibility is superb because the 6.1-inch floor clearance leads to an outlook on the highway a bit greater than a sedan, however not as excessive as a SUV.
The middle sprint homes the ten.25-inch touchscreen for navigation and the 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, with a subwoofer, that performs AM/FM and SiriusXM and wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Smartphone integration is through Bluetooth and the UVO app. The leather-wrapped steering wheel had controls for audio, phone and cruise management. Large due to Kia designers for the knobs and wheels to manage the radio and computerized temperature management.
Consolation and comfort options embrace rear view digital camera, good key with such button begin/cease, Auto Maintain, power-folding heated outdoors mirrors, cargo cowl, carpeted flooring mats, LED inside lights and adjustable temper lighting, rear passenger HVAC vents, driver and passenger energy home windows with computerized up/down, energy door locks and baggage web within the again.
Security and Warranties
The Niro EV comes with an intensive checklist of normal security options, together with seven airbags, ahead emergency braking and collision warning, stability management, good cruise management, blind spot monitoring, park help with entrance and rear sensors, automobile stability administration, traction management, hill begin help, tire stress monitoring system, lane departure warning and rear cross visitors alert.
The Nationwide Freeway and Security Administration (NHTSA) gave the Niro EV its highest security ranking of 5 Stars.
The 2022 Niro EV comes with these warranties:
- Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles
- Battery – 10 years/100,000 miles
- Primary – 5 years/60,000 miles
- Roadside Help – 5 years/60,000 miles
Pricing
The 2022 Niro EV is available in two trim ranges with these base costs, earlier than choices however together with the $1,225 vacation spot payment. The Niro EV qualifies for federal and state credit, and in some states, is eligible for a HOV sticker.
EX: $41,245
EX Premium: $45,875
Observations: 2022 Kia Niro EV
Kia is all-in with automobile electrification and Clear Fleet Report is glad it’s. Now we have reviewed the hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electrical automobiles from the corporate, and have been impressed with all of them.
For versatility, peppy acceleration, journey consolation, glorious vary, a powerful checklist of normal security gear, and an excellent guarantee, the 2022 Kia Niro EV is difficult to beat. Earlier than visiting your Kia seller, speak along with your tax advisor for readability on the federal and state credit, after which make an appointment to fulfill with a Kia factory-trained electrical automobile specialist. Don’t be stunned if you happen to drive residence in a Niro EV.
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Story and photographs by John Faulkner.
Kia Niro EV Opponents (some on value, some extra expensive, however with higher options)
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