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Enlarge / That is the second-generation Kia Niro EV, and it’s a somewhat nice little electrical automobile.Jonathan Gitlin
Final month, we reviewed a terrific little hybrid, the 2023 Kia Niro. In reality, Kia gives this little hatchback with three totally different environment friendly powertrains, and right now we’re wanting on the totally electrical model, the 2023 Kia Niro EV. Ditching the inner combustion engine and changing it with a slab of lithium-ion cells pushes the value up considerably—beginning at $39,550, the Niro EV is nearly $11,000 costlier than the parallel hybrid model—however on the upside, you get a right-sized electrical automotive that is extraordinarily environment friendly, significantly on quick journeys.
This Kia Niro EV is in reality the second Niro EV we have examined—the primary impressed us mightily once we reviewed it again in 2020. The technical specs of the battery electrical powertrain are literally similar to these within the earlier model. There is a 64.8 kWh lithium-ion traction battery between the axles, which powers a 201 hp (150 kW) electrical motor that drives the entrance wheels.
Enlarge / The contrasting panel on the C pillar conceals an aeroblade, which is a channel that directs airflow to the rear of the automotive to cut back drag.Jonathan Gitlin
The all-electric powertrain provides a good bit of mass to the Niro; its curb weight of three,721–3,803 lbs (1,688–1,725 kg) makes it virtually 20 % heavier than the parallel hybrid model. However along with having extra energy, the Niro EV makes much more torque—188 lb-ft (255 Nm), in reality—so it feels a lot peppier to drive.
The Environmental Safety Company charges the Niro EV at a mixed 3.4 miles/kWh (18.3 kWh/100 km) and a spread of 253 miles (407 km) however in apply, it ought to be doable to exceed that. On quick journeys across the metropolis, I recurrently noticed 4 miles/kWh (15.5 kWh/100 km) or higher and averaged 3.8 miles/kWh (16.4 kWh/100 km) all through the week we examined the Niro EV.
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Recharging is not fairly as quick as a few of Kia’s different EVs, as this platform runs at 400 V, not 800 V, just like the bigger, costlier EV6. Consequently, you may count on to attend about 45 minutes to fast-charge from 10 to 80 %. It truly took me almost 42 minutes to cost to 80 % (from a place to begin of 48 % state of cost), because of an Electrify America charger that will not go previous 35 kW. There’s an onboard 11 kW AC charger that helps the Niro EV get to 100% in underneath seven hours from an AC energy supply.
By happenstance, there was one other Niro EV charging after I went to prime up the electrons. Word that it has a body-colored aeroblade.
Jonathan Gitlin
Quick journeys within the Niro EV have been extraordinarily energy-efficient.
Jonathan Gitlin
The Niro EV places its cost port up entrance, which saves on cabling runs for the reason that energy electronics dwell underneath the hood.
Kia
Just like the common hybrid model, the Niro EV is a straightforward automotive to drive across the metropolis. The throttle mapping is well-judged for city pace limits, and there are various ranges of lift-off regenerative braking out there by way of the steering wheel paddles, so it is simple to adapt to, whether or not you are a one-pedal driver otherwise you choose to carry and coast. A special button on the steering wheel toggles you thru Eco, Regular, and Sport drive modes.
Visibility is sweet from the motive force’s seat, and there may be a complete alphabet soup’s value of superior driver help methods (I am not joking—the assists embrace PDW-R, HDA, FCA-JT, NSCC-C, ISLA, ROA, HBA, SEW, DAW, LFA, LDW, LKAS, and RCCA). These methods preserve watch on every blind spot to warn you of impending collisions, lane departures, and when it is unsafe to open the door.
A few of these assists have been somewhat overeager, particularly the BCA-R, or blind spot collision avoidance (rear), which freaked out and emergency braked the Niro EV greater than as soon as whereas I used to be backing out of a parking house, presumably cueing off the curb behind me, since there have been no different transferring automobiles in my neighborhood.
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