The Niro EV isn't the best in any one particular area, but it does a lot of things very well. It's comfortable, packed with in-car tech and has impressive real-world range. It's not the cheapest EV out there, but Kia's long list of standard features and excellent warranty help offset that.
Clint Simone has worked in the automotive industry since 2015. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Before joining Edmunds as a senior reviews editor, Clint contributed to Motor1.com and InsideEVs, evaluating mostly electric cars. Clint loves hot hatchbacks more than any other type of vehicle but secretly enjoys driving big trucks when he gets the chance. He would never admit to that.
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
Pros
Long list of standard features
Offers a lot of the latest technology and driver assist features
Smooth ride and quiet cabin
Relatively roomy cargo area
Cons
Doesn't provide much excitement from behind the wheel
Front seat padding is a bit too firm for ideal comfort
What's new
Fully redesigned for 2023
More distinctive styling
Roomier interior
2023 kicks off the second Niro generation
Overview
The 2023 Kira Niro EV is a fully electrified version of the brand's compact crossover, the Niro. It's less expensive than the South Korean automaker's larger EV6 without compromising much on the range or interior features.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Kia Niro EV EV Insights
Trim:
Niro EV Wind
Range
280 miles
Edmunds Tested RangeEdmunds begins with a full battery charge and drives the vehicle on a mix of city and highway roads (approximately 60% city, 40% highway) until the battery is almost entirely empty. (We target 10 miles of remaining range for safety.) The miles traveled and the indicated remaining range are added together for the Edmunds Tested Range figure.
Round-tripOne-way
Estimated range from
Charging at Home
7.5 hoursStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.
Total Charging Time (240V outlet)
SAE Combo
Plug Type
Battery Life
10 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.
Battery Warranty
EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 238 miles after 8 years.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
No rebates available in 20147
Restrictions: The Electrify America Kia Charge Pass is a charging agreement between Kia America and Electrify America. Customers who purchase a new Niro EV will receive 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of complimentary charging on the Electrify America network. Credits must be used within 3 years of vehicle purchase date. Offer is non-transferable. See your participating dealer for details.
This second-generation Niro is a much more refined product in the cabin, with improved tech and more comfort features on offer. The side-by-side 10.3-inch displays look great and have easy-to-use menus. Available features such as heated and ventilated front seats and the Harman Kardon sound system make the Niro feel upmarket. And when it comes to practicality, the crossover is now roomier with 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats.
With an EPA-estimated 253 miles available, the Niro squeezes plenty of distance from its relatively small battery pack. We also ran the Niro EV in our real-world range test and managed to make it 280 miles on a full charge. That's similar to the real-world results we measured from the Chevrolet Bolt and Volkswagen ID.4. Excitement is a bit lacking, partially because the Niro EV comes only with a 201-horsepower electric motor. There's no option for a dual-motor setup like some rival EVs offer, but Kia would likely point you to its bigger EV6 if performance is a priority.
Overall, we're impressed by the redesigned 2023 Niro EV. It's a great choice among compact electric vehicles including the Bolt, ID.4 and Hyundai Kona Electric. All of these EVs offer excellent value for the money, but the Niro stands out even more with a great list of features and long warranty to go with it. Check our Expert Rating below for the Niro's complete evaluation from our test team.
Edmunds Expert Rating
great
8.2/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
The Niro EV isn't the best in any one particular area, but it does a lot of things very well. It's comfortable, packed with in-car tech and has impressive real-world range. It's not the cheapest EV out there, but Kia's long list of standard features and excellent warranty help offset that.
How does the Niro EV drive? The Niro EV feels zippy enough around town. The electric motor provides pleasing power when you need it, and the accelerator pedal never feels touchy or overly sensitive. In Edmunds' testing, the Niro EV accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a class-average 7.1 seconds. The brakes offer decent performance, with a nice, firm pedal and adjustable one-pedal driving, meaning you can use the regenerative braking to slow the car and rarely have to use the brake pedal.
The Niro EV isn't really sporty, though. The suspension is tuned more for comfort than sharp handling. It's composed and stable on the road, but the low levels of grip mean you won't be whipping around corners with much enthusiasm.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the Niro EV? The Niro EV is quiet and comfortable, with little wind or road noise at highway speeds. The ride is compliant without being overly soft or floaty. It makes for a relaxed cabin. The front seats are well shaped and offer decent support, but we found the padding a bit firm. We wouldn't call it uncomfortable, but we hope the seats break in with some more use. The rear seat, too, is a bit firm and flat. Heated seats are standard for the front seats and available for the rear. Also optional is a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats.
The standard dual-zone automatic climate control works well, keeping the cabin at a comfortable temperature without blasting the fans the entire time. The vents are well placed, including those for rear passengers. The climate control panel is easy to reach, though you might have to take your eyes off the road to do more than adjust the temperature.
How’s the interior? The Niro's interior is cleanly designed and easy to use. All major controls are within easy sight and reach. You rarely have to hunt for a button. The graphics for the touchscreen menu system look a little dated, but it's relatively easy to use in the end. We like the adjustable panel just below the screen. One press changes the panel from climate controls to media and navigation controls. The temperature knob changes to a volume knob. It's pretty slick.
The Niro EV features an elevated but still relatively low ride height. That's great for getting in and out as well as for your seating position and visibility. The Niro sits a little taller than the average sedan or hatchback, so the seats aren't a pain to get in and out of. It's easy to find a comfortable driving position, though the steering wheel could use a hair more reach for taller drivers. There's space in both rows for taller passengers, though some rivals offer more rear seat space. The view out front is good, though the rear window is a bit narrow. The backup camera's resolution isn't the greatest either.
Technology
8.5/10
How’s the tech? As with many of its other models, Kia includes lots of standard in-car tech and driver aids with the Niro EV. Features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (though neither is wireless), navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The navigation and infotainment interface looks a little dated, but it's straightforward to use. The top trim includes a power outlet that can use the Niro's battery to power electronics and small electrical tools or appliances. Cool stuff. Our test vehicle also had a head-up display, though we noticed it washes out when you wear polarized sunglasses.
We're pleased with the list of standard driver aids, too, which includes adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. Optional equipment includes parking sensors and upgraded adaptive cruise control that can adjust speed for turns by using the navigation system. The aids all work well, with no false warnings or jerky reactions.
Storage
8.0/10
How’s the storage? The Niro EV's hatch offers a generous amount of cargo space, especially with the adjustable rear load floor dropped down. The cargo area is wide and upright, and the 60/40-split rear seats can be folded down to offer even more cargo space. The hatch's dimensions are roughly on par with the Niro's rivals. The flat rear seat floor is nice for even more space if you don't have passengers back there. Storage in the rest of the car is OK but nothing particularly stands out. The door pockets and armrest bin are a bit small, but there are places to store your phone or sunglasses. The cupholders can be tucked away for a little extra utility.
Got little kids? The child safety seat anchors are easy to access, but the rear seat is on the smaller side. Same for the door opening, so installing larger seats might be a bit tricky.
Range and Efficiency
8.5/10
How are the range and efficiency? The Niro EV gets an EPA-estimated range of 253 miles. In Edmunds' real-world EV range test, we exceeded that by a decent margin, traveling 280 miles on a single charge. Our calculated consumption was 25.6 kWh of electricity used per 100 miles, which is better than the EPA-estimated 29 kWh/100 miles. Remember that the lower the consumption figure, the better. Overall, this is one of the more frugal EVs on the market.
Kia says the Niro EV has a peak DC fast-charging rate of 85 kW, which the company says can get you from 10% to 80% capacity in about 45 minutes with an appropriate charger. This is about average for a compact EV. The VW ID.4 and Kia's EV6 can recharge more quickly, for example, but the Niro is quicker than a Chevy Bolt at a DC fast charger.
Value
8.5/10
Is the Niro EV a good value? The Niro EV is a bit more expensive than its main rivals but less than premium EVs such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 or Mustang Mach-E. The Kia comes well equipped from the start, too, and the top trim adds even more niceties that will cost you thousands more on some other EVs. The Niro EV's interior looks nice but isn't particularly premium. Everything felt solid and well put together in our test car too.
The Niro EV features one of the best warranties on the market. Kia provides a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and battery warranty. The basic warranty covers the car for five years/60,000 miles. Kia also offers five years/60,000 miles of roadside assistance.
Wildcard
8.0/10
Kia has been offering some very distinct designs lately, and the Niro EV is no exception. It's not as stylish or as sporty as its stablemate, the Kia EV6, but it's stylish nonetheless. We think it looks better in solid colors than it does with the two-tone color scheme, but we like that Kia offers something more interesting than black, white and shades of gray.
We do wish it were a bit more fun to drive, however. It has composed on-road manners, but other small EVs do a better job of being enjoyable and comfortable at the same time.
Which Niro EV does Edmunds recommend?
We recommend the fully loaded Wave trim because it offers a great list of equipment for a reasonable price. Add the Wave Preserve package for $1,300 if you live in a cold weather climate since it includes a heat pump system to keep the range comparable in the winter.
Kia Niro EV models
The 2023 Kia Niro EV is a compact EV that comes in two trim levels: Wind and Wave. Both have a 64.8-kWh battery pack that's good for an EPA estimated 253 miles of range (280 miles in Edmunds' testing). They also have a 201-horsepower electric motor that powers the front wheels. Standard and optional feature highlights for the Niro EV include:
Wind
This entry-level trim starts off with:
17-inch wheels
Tinted rear windows
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Vegan leather interior
Digital gauge cluster display
10.3-inch touchscreen
Six-speaker sound system
Integrated navigation system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Wireless phone charger
Six-speaker sound system
The Niro comes standard with these driver assistance features:
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Niro EV and the car in front)
Lane keeping assistance (steers the Niro EV back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
Intersection collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision during an intersection turn and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Optional for the Wind is a Preserve package with:
Heat pump (heats the cabin more efficiently than normal heater)
Heated outboard rear seats
Heated steering wheel
Wave
Adds some visual changes and luxury features such as:
LED headlights
Power tailgate
Sunroof
Power-folding side mirrors
Sound-isolating front windows
Ventilated front seats
Driver's seat memory settings
Power-adjustable front passenger seat
Heated steering wheel
Household-style power outlet
Seven-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
Automated parking system
Rear parking sensors
An optional Preserve package for the Wave adds the heat pump and heated rear seats.
As with a lot of EVs, there's not much to getting the best out of the Niro beyond pointing the wheel forward and mashing the accelerator. The Niro was just as quick in Normal mode as it is in Sport. Turning traction and stability control off didn't make a difference either. There's a decent amount of low-end torque but not enough to break the tires loose like in some other EVs, even with the aids off. Power delivery is very smooth, and it felt like it lost less at the top end than some other EVs. A quarter-mile speed in the 90s is pretty good for a car like this. The quickest run was actually done with the aids on, but the difference was a tenth of an mph, so pretty small. Nice to see consistency over a few runs too.
Braking:
119 feet isn't too bad for a vehicle wearing all-season tires. I don't really expect much better than this unless a car is fitted with summer tires. Stops were pretty consistent, too, varying only by a few feet and leveling off after a few runs. There's a mild amount of brake dive but nothing particularly egregious. This feels like a brake-by-wire system, and a good one. There's no pulsing from the antilock braking system (though you hear it), and the pedal feels firm and even. Some brake-by-wire systems can have squishy brake pedals that offer no feel.
Handling:
Kia calls the Niro an SUV, but it doesn't feel like one. Instead, it has a bit of a hot hatch feel, sort of like the Chevy Bolt. The Niro EV feels balanced and fairly neutral. It will push when the tires give out, but you can just hold the wheel and back off the accelerator to tuck the nose back in. It's easy and predictable. The steering is light, even in Sport, and it doesn't offer much feel, but I like the ratio. The battery pack makes it heavy but keeps the weight low, so there's not a ton of body roll in corners. It means you can tackle them with some verve. If it can pull 0.89 g with these all-seasons, think about what a set of summer tires could do. Give me a Niro EV GT. Please.
How do we test?
The instrumented testing at our test track is only one part of the Edmunds Rating process. Learn more
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2023 Kia Niro EV.
I have my Niro EV Wave for 4 months. After 5,000 miles, I can say I am thrilled with this car. I have had no issues whatsoever. I was originally considering an EV6, but the rear visibility was a deal breaker. The Niro has excellent visibility all around. The seats are comfortable and Niro takes bumps and pot holes very well. The Harmon Kardon sound system is over the top. Tech is … abundant, easy to learn and fun to use. Being able to heat/cool the car remotely is a very nice touch. The safety feature make this vehicle very compelling. Excellent heated seats and heated steering wheel. The EV range is 253, as advertised. The Niro is not the cheapest EV available, but you get a lot for the price. What's missing? Wireless Apple Car Play, a wireless hot spot and no AWD. Not issues for me. I highly recommend this car.
EPA KWh/100 mi.This value tells you how much energy in kilowatt-hours a vehicle would use to travel 100 miles. Unlike mpg, however, where a larger number is better (for example, a vehicle that gets 30 mpg is better than one that gets 20 mpg), a smaller number is better in kWh/100 miles because you are using less battery energy per mile.: 29
Time To Charge Battery (At 240V)This can be tough to pin down, but we assume for simplicity that the 240V power source will enable the vehicle's onboard charger to operate at full capacity, and that the battery is fully depleted and will be recharged to 100%. Given those assumptions, the value provided is simply the battery's capacity divided by the onboard charger's power rating. For example, a battery rated at 100 kWh will need 12.5 hours to recharge fully using an 8.0-kW charger.: 7.5 hr.
EPA Electricity RangeThis value is the estimated number of miles that a vehicle can travel in combined city and highway driving (using a mix of 55% highway and 45% city driving) before needing to be recharged, according to the EPA's testing methodology.: 253 mi.
EPA Combined MPGeA combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe: 113 MPGe
We're big fans of the Chevy Bolt and all that it offers for a remarkably low price. While the Bolt remains the cheaper option, the Niro's premium style and interior make it an enticing proposition. A little extra money might be worth it in this case.
With a 2021 ID.4 in our long-term test fleet, we have plenty of data on what it's like to live with the VW every day. The ID.4 is the better option for fast charging and driving pleasure but we can't ignore its frustrating tech interface. For fewer headaches in that department, the Niro is the way to go.
If your heart is set on an all-electric Kia, the Niro and EV6 are your two options. The EV6 is several thousand dollars more than the Niro to start, but with it comes more range and a sizably faster charging rate. If the extra money is in your budget, we think the EV6 is worth the step up.
The 2023 Niro EV is part of Kia's Niro family of subcompact SUVs. There's the Niro hybrid, the Niro Plug-in Hybrid, and this model, the EV. Although Kia refers to the Niro as a "crossover," to our eyes, it looks like a hatchback. The redesigned 2023 Niro EV has a slightly larger footprint than current models and features increased headroom, legroom, shoulder room and cargo capacity.
In addition to its roomier cabin, the second-generation Niro EV's redesign showcases bolder exterior styling, an increased amount of technology, and an interior that's environmentally friendly. The new "Aero Blade" feature is likely to catch your eye — located on each rear quarter panel, it is a design element that also provides assistance with aerodynamics. The Aero Blade can be ordered to match the vehicle's color if you're not into the two-tone look.
What's under the Niro EV's hood?
The Niro EV is powered by a 64.8-kWh battery pack and a 201-horsepower motor. Kia says it is targeting a range of 253 miles of range, though if the last Niro EV is any indication, it should have no trouble exceeding that range in the real world.
The Niro EV has an 11-kW onboard charger, which it uses to recharge the battery in under seven hours on a 240-volt Level 2 charger. DC fast or Level 3 charging capability is included as a standard feature and can get the battery from 10% to 80% in under 45 minutes. The maximum charge rate tops out at 85 kW.
How's the Niro EV's interior?
The 2023 Niro EV leans into its eco-conscious spirit, with a cabin filled with animal-free fabrics and recycled materials. It borrows some of its interior elements from its corporate sibling, the Kia EV6: the driver-centric dashboard, optional digital instrument and infotainment clusters, dial knob gear selector and climate controls. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as in our experience with the EV6, they were all intuitive and easy to operate.
You might be disappointed, however, if you were looking for some differentiation between the EV and the hybrid model. All 2023 Niros appear to have the same interior layouts, save for some of the materials used. The good news is that there is more room inside the cabin than before, though we don't have exact numbers at the time of this writing. Cargo space behind the rear seats has improved to 22.8 cubic feet, up from 18.5 cubes on the outgoing model.
How's the Niro EV's tech?
The Niro EV will be available with vehicle-to-load onboard generator functionality, which allows you to use the vehicle's battery to charge other devices. It may be slower than a traditional charge station, but you can use the Niro to charge your laptop or even another electric vehicle.
Premium technological safety features including adaptive cruise control (with stop-and-go functionality), a head-up display, wireless smartphone integration, plus an optional heat pump and battery warmer to conserve range in cold climates, will all be available in higher trims.
Edmunds says
The 2023 Kia Niro EV is one to keep an eye out for in the coming months. We rated the outgoing model highly, and this new generation looks to improve on an already solid foundation.
FAQ
Is the Kia Niro EV a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Niro EV both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.2 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 Niro EV gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 1 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Niro EV has 22.8 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Kia Niro EV. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Kia Niro EV?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Kia Niro EV:
To determine whether the Kia Niro EV is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Niro EV. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Niro EV's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Kia Niro EV a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Kia Niro EV is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Niro EV and gave it a 8.2 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 Niro EV gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 1 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Niro EV is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Kia Niro EV?
The least-expensive 2023 Kia Niro EV is the 2023 Kia Niro EV Wind 4dr SUV (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $39,550.
Other versions include:
Wind 4dr SUV (electric DD) which starts at $39,550
Wave 4dr SUV (electric DD) which starts at $44,550
If you're interested in the Kia Niro EV, the next question is, which Niro EV model is right for you? Niro EV variants include Wind 4dr SUV (electric DD), and Wave 4dr SUV (electric DD). For a full list of Niro EV models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
Edmunds says
