The Niro EV, with a range of 239 miles, joins the plug-in and hybrid variants to cover all bases.
This week, Kia updated all three of its electrified Niro crossovers. It all began with the basic hybrid Niro, followed by the plug-in EV, and now the new 2022 Kia Niro EV.
The Niro EV, like the other two, only gets a light makeover for the new year, as it was released in 2020.
The new Kia badge will be placed on the grille, tailgate, and various other locations throughout the vehicle. A 10.25-inch touchscreen is also included for the 2017 model year. In addition, it comes with GPS, satellite radio, UVO link, and a superior sound system.
The 2022 Niro EX costs $900 more than the previous model, totaling $41,165, including $1,175 in destination fees.
The Niro EX Premium has a starting price of $45,825. With a 64-kWh battery and a 201-hp, 291-lb-ft electric motor, both have a range of 239 miles on a single charge. Both cars are eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit, bringing their prices down to $33,665 and $38,325, respectively.
The EX model comes with almost all of the safety measures as standard. Forward collision warning/avoidance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic detection, lane keeping, lane following, adaptive cruise control, highway driving assist, and driver attentiveness alert are some of the features available.
Reverse park distance warning is included in the EX Premium model.
Kia hasn’t specified whether the Niro EV would be sold outside of California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Texas.
The Niro, with its five passengers, has a modest footprint. It’s ten inches shorter than the Ford Escape and five inches shorter than Kia’s own Sportage, with a length of 172 inches.
We did get to drive the Niro EV a few years back and found it to be just as pleasant and helpful as the Chevy Bolt, despite the fact that it is more expensive throughout the series.
However, no one is currently planning to replace every battery in every model, as GM is doing with the Bolt. So that’s got to be a plus for Kia. Before the end of the year, the Niro EV will be available for purchase.
