2019 Kia Niro EV

The Niro EV may be marketed as a crossover, but it moves and handles like a hot hatch. Power is plentiful, immediate and delivered smoothly. Braking distances are good with straight, consistent stops. The Niro offers partial one-pedal driving, but it won't bring you to a complete stop unless you hold the steering paddle. The steering is direct but doesn't translate very much feedback from the road. When pushed, the Niro's suspension keeps the car planted and composed. It's fun to drive this car quickly.

The eco tires are the biggest limiting factor here. Better tires might improve things like the numb steering, but we think the benefit to the Niro's range and the long tread life are worth the performance sacrifice.

We like the way the Niro rides. The battery pack keeps the weight low, and the EV's sophisticated multilink suspension keeps road imperfections in check without being overly soft or bouncy. The seats are well-shaped but firm, and they don't offer a ton of adjustment. The dual-zone climate control works quickly and evenly, and the rear air vents are a welcome feature for passengers. Heated and ventilated seats are optional, which is a bit rare in this class but not at this price.

It's supremely quiet too, with little wind, tire or road noise coming into the cabin. At low speeds, the car emits a futuristic whirring sound that's required to help alert pedestrians. It fades away above 20 mph.

Kia nailed the Niro's interior. There's plenty of legroom and headroom in the rear — something we've knocked some competitors for not having — and quite a bit of open space up front because of the fully electronic shifter.

Complaints are few: Visibility could be better with larger windows, and more height adjustment for the driver's seat would improve the driving position. Otherwise, the wide-opening doors and a slightly higher hip point make getting in and out easy for both front and rear passengers.

Rear cargo space is likely the Niro's weakest aspect, placing near the bottom of the class with the Chevy Bolt when it comes to total storage capacity. But even so, the space itself is wide and the seats fold flat, which makes it usable. By the numbers, though, it falls short of models such as the Hyundai Kona and the Nissan Leaf.

It's not all bad news. There are a good number of places for small items and a sizable pass-through in the console that makes accessing cubbies and bins a cinch. All four doors feature pockets and water bottle holders. The main cupholders are adjustable and can be folded away to provide another bin or room for larger water bottles. Finally, a large rear seat with easily accessible latches makes it relatively easy to install or remove a car seat.

The Niro's infotainment system is functional and easy to use, but the interface itself looks dated and bland. There are EV-specific screens that show range, driving data and more, which is a welcome feature for eco-conscious drivers. We wish the touchscreen was either larger or placed higher on the dash. Syncing a smartphone is easy, and the Niro quickly reconnects once you get back inside. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. There are one data and two charging USB ports as well as a wireless charging pad.

Like the Kona Electric, the Niro offers a full suite of advanced driver aids standard, though the execution could be improved. We like the smooth and easy operation of the adaptive cruise control, especially in traffic, but we found the lane-centering to be too aggressive, constantly fighting your hands to keep things straight.