2019 KIA Niro EV: Full Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 พ.ค. 2019
- I was able to drive the all new 2019 Kia Niro EV for a week, and I reviewed it from the perspective of an EV owner. I was able to make my regular 1,000+ mile trip while transporting cargo, and I had the chance to test out the Niro EV's charging on the public charging infrastructure (including a few of the new, ultra-fast DC chargers).
Overall, there's a lot to like with the new Niro EV. It is feature rich, with a comfortable interior, smooth handling, long range, decent charging speeds, and good freeway efficiency. However, I feel that the Niro EV has a number of minor issues with its features and functionality, and I hope that Kia will address them over time. Regardless, the Niro EV provides so many features its direct competitors lack, those small concerns are easy to overlook.
Ultimately, the Niro EV is an excellent value option for those who want a smooth riding, long-range electric vehicle. - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Great review and I really like it. Good job and I hope you can review new other EVs !
Nice work. I especially like the comparison to the Bolt EV driving style, as that's much harder to convey through text and specs alone. Hope other manufacturers are paying attention and give you more vehicles to show us!
I own a 2014 Leaf. That Kia EV looks great to me as opposed to the Bolt. For me comfort, long range, electric hatchback is just what I dream about.
That's fair, and I that's why I do think the Niro EV is an important offering. That being said, I wouldn't discount the LEAF e-Plus as an option.
I didn't think I'd hear myself say this going into this Niro EV review, but I might actually like the LEAF more than the Niro EV. The LEAF is more comfortable and its driver assist features are superior. The only questions are, how well will CHAdeMO be supported and how well can the LEAF's 62 kWh battery handle road trips.
Thanks for the review. It was interesting to see how it performed on the different chargers.
Thanks! Yes, that's one thing I wanted to showcase (I don't think enough reviewers discuss it). The Niro EV is going to see a really big boost from the new, faster chargers that are coming online. You'll be able to drive for an entire day in a Niro EV with only a couple of 40 to 45 minute charging stops.
Just placed an order here in UK, only 8 months to wait.
I like the relaxed driving, do not care too much about road handling etc, I like buttons and dials and switches. Horses for courses.
Thanks for your review, it helps me confirm my choice to buy.
Nice Review! Interestingly, one of the reasons I bought the Bolt was it was less wide and shorter in length. That size fits my 1940s era garage quite nicely, allowing plenty of room around the car. The Model 3 and other cars would have really been cumbersome with their size. It's nice to be able to fit in some of those smaller parking spaces as well. All that, and the car is roomier than the Kona (or Volt), particularly the back seat where I frequently have passengers. So, there are a lot of reasons to buy a specific model. As you say, your particular needs will drive the type of car you drive and so I appreciate your review of the details.
Thanks! I tried to stay factual. If the Niro EV fits your needs, great. If not, there are options. I just wanted to build awareness of the compromises.
Great review. I am an ICE driver. I love Tesla, Bolt, Jaguar, and just about any EV's. We intend the get the Niro. I think its a great buy for the money. I have the range and features someone who is just entering the EV world would like. Not all of us care about wh/ml, or technical aspect of driving. We just want a vehicle we can drive and enjoy. I think Kia is trying to reach those drivers who just want to enjoy the EV experience without being overwhelmed by watt-hour per miles, or consumption. While those thinks are great...as an ICE driver I just drive my car. When it runs low I get gas and keep it going. Great review thou. I totally enjoyed your point of view. Thank you.
Absolutely! I maybe shouldn't have nitpicked as much as I did, but I really see a lot of this as low hanging fruit that Kia could easily improve.
My understanding is that Hyundai and Kia are both working on a joint, dedicated EV platform that will come out in a couple of years. I'm guessing that will address most of my -- let's be honest here -- minor concerns.
The Niro EV is just an awesome option at this point. Let me know if you do decide to get the Niro. I'd love to hear your experience on it!
@@newscoulomb3705 Thank you for your reply. We are considering the E-tron, and Byton as well. The Niro EV will be our day to day vehicle. We both work from home, and only drop our son off at school. It's only a 6 miles round trip so we know this will be a great EV. I love your review because I think we can learn from your experience of being an EV owner. I assume that's why you made the video so we all can learn. Thank you for all you do. Much appreciated.
@@d7mysterio7 Thanks! Yes, the Niro EV would be a great day-to-day EV. The e-Tron is in a totally different class. I try to focus on the average priced EVs, though I'd love to have a chance to check out the e-Tron in more depth as well. You might also take a look at the Jaguar I-PACE. I was really impressed by what Jaguar was able to put together for their first purpose built EV.
@@newscoulomb3705 I will definitely check that out. I assume it's on your Channel? If so I will find it. I went to Hennessey Landrover/Jaguar here in Georgia. They didn't have a Jag to display at the time but will go back and check it out. I will subscribe to your channel. I think you provide a good balance in your review, and I'm open to learning more about EV's. I will definitely keep you posted when we get the Niro.
@@d7mysterio7 If you just want a short-trip EV, look at a used Chevy Spark EV hatchback -- an amazing value for money. EDIT: In your neck of the woods, you may need to buy one from a place online like Carvana or Carbiz.
This review of the Niro EV is what an EV review should be. On point, realistic and genuinely helpful to someone who doesn't have much experience with EVs. Really put to shame the usual reviews of EVs by those who have a 'professional' agenda which is almost universal these days. Probably helpful to the manufacturer too.
Thanks! I'm going to try to do a few other reviews of "affordable" EVs even if I can't get the formal manufacturer review like this one.
Thanks for the honest review. I purchased a base model Kia Niro EV in Ventura this week and waiting for it to come in. I'll definitely check out the lane keep assist on the freeway to see if it wants to take off the off ramp. My car won't have a heat pump but good that you addressed the main concern of blowing cooler air than one is used to. Having worked for twenty years in customer complaints for a local electric utility I can tell you that is always problem number one. A heat pump delivers air at 90 - 95 degrees verses upwards of 130 degrees for natural gas heaters. All the more reason for having the ability to pre-heat the cabin on cold mornings. But heat pumps are about three times more efficient than electric resistant heaters, which is why it might be a good thing to have a heat pump.
Congratulations! It's a great car, so I don't want my nitpicking to take away from that. I see most as easy fixes that Kia can address either in the current Niro EV or for future versions.
The heater sort of threw me, but some of that was probably just my frustration with the climate control system overall. As I also noted in the review, even with it powered down, it was still blowing outside air. I've never had to physically shut the vents before to prevent that.
The Bolt EV has had similar issues with its climate control as well, though that seems mostly due to the sensors not reading the cabin temperature they way they should. Every car has its issues, and I think it's only fair to address them.
I appreciate the time taken to make this video. The Kona seems more appealing as days go by. Or even a smaller efficient hatchback.
Thank you. I really wish I would have been able to spend more time with the Kona Electric. The Niro EV is a nice car, but it's just not nearly as fun to drive. I also think my impression of it would have been different now, if I had had access to faster DC chargers at the time.
There's a stark contrast when an reviewer, who normally drives an ICEv does as review of a BEV, and a reviewer who normally drives a BEV does a review of another BEV. I've seen Leaf owners do review of Bolts. Bolt owners do reviews of Tesla 3's, Tesla X owners do reviews of Jaguar I-Pace's. An ICE owner will typically have low expectations of a BEV going in, and then realize how great the experience is, which influences their review. Coming from another BEV owner, the bar is a lot higher. Moreover, the usage pattern for News Coulomb is very unique. The vast majority of drivers do not put in the long distances (equating to much longer time in the vehicle) that he does.
So what may come off has hyper-critical and nit-picky in the review is really just a reflection of the above circumstances.
Seems the Niro EV would be a great value overall for any average driver (95%+ daily local commuter).
I completely agree. I find that owners of an EV tend to be more critical that someone who has never driven an EV. Great pointer. I plan to get the Niro. I think its a great bargain for the money. It ticks off most of what I want. Great review none the less.
Definitely. The Niro EV is such a huge improvement over previous generation EVs that it's really hard to be critical. This are all just small issues.
My main concern is when people get an EV that they aren't happy with. Many people were forced into getting a Bolt EV two years ago because it was the only 200+ mile EV option under $40,000.
Now we have the Bolt EV, Kona Electric, LEAF e-Plus, Model 3 SR, Niro EV, and (soon) Soul EV all coming in at an average new car price. If people are happy with the EV they buy, they are more likely to share that positive experience with others.
Nicely done Eric. You supplied a lot of good information in a really clear way. It's great to hear about one EV from an EV owner. The problem I see with the Kia Niro EV is price. Spec'ing one on the Kia website, I got a price of $46,090. That's only $3,410 less than a Telsa Model 3 long range with dual motors. But if you look at the standard range, rear wheel drive Model 3, the Kia is $6,590 MORE! Thanks for the video. Keep them coming.
Thanks! I think the Niro EV fits an interesting space because it's somewhere between a CUV and sedan. I know a number of people who would struggle getting in and out of a sedan, so it's a good option in that way.
I'm primarily trying to focus on average priced EVs. I'd like to review a Model 3 SR/SR+ soon, but I might have to Turo it. 😔
Great review. Your experience level shines through ― for example not many reviewers would even think to conjecture as to exactly why the Niro EV is less efficient than the Bolt EV, let alone be knowledgeable about specific tire models and the optimal tire pressure for them. I also appreciate that you mentioned small details like how the adaptive cruise control can't be disabled by a tap of the regen braking paddle. Those kinds of tidbits are hard to come by in reviews and you'd typically only learn them after you bought the car.
Thank you! I try to provide a user experience when I do these reviews. There's no reason to just read back the owners manual.
Great review!
Great and really helpful review!
Thanks! Glad it helped!
Well done review, really glad that Kia loaned you the car for the test. I too love my Bolt EV but cannot get my full golf bag in the back (under privacy cover) because the driver,& 3 metal are too long. Rather than laying a seat down (leaving the bag of clubs exposed to view), I lay these two clubs in the back floorboard. I would be interested in future reviews including some visual measure of storage behind the seat. Also, as much as you travel and the distances you cover did you get a compact spare for your Bolt?
Thanks!
I don't have a compact spare. I'll probably go over my travel kit in a video.
In your use case, you might actually prefer the Niro EV's cargo space. As I said in the review, the Niro EV favored width and depth over height. The Niro EV is several inches wider than the Bolt EV and Kona Electric, and you can feel it in the seats and in the cargo area.
I'll see if I can formalize a review routine based on feedback. Right now, I'm trying to focus on impressions of the vehicle and functionality rather than technical specifications that are easily referenced.
great review! I hope you can do one for Soul Ev too!
Thank you Eric, lots of great info here.
Thanks, Gene!
I just purchased a Niro EV EX trim, having turned my leased Chevy Volt it as I picked up the Niro. On our 400 mi. drive home, western Wash is more EV friendly than East Wash, I noticed several of the things you commented on: the half on/half off thing that kept us from unplugging during charging. That was frustrating. Took about 15 min. to figure it out. Also, the cruise control paddle release the Volt has does not work, like you said, on the Niro. The point of the paddles is to keep from having to tap the brake, or release the cruise feature. We also do not like the LKA, and have turned that feature off. I heard the term 'ping ponging' in reviews of other EV's, and now understand what that means. However, we do really like how the car drives, am going to put it in Normal vs. the Eco we've been running in and see how that feels. I'm an older driver, so relaxed driving fits me better. Thank you for the review.
Thanks for the sanity check! And congratulations!
Maybe I need to make an addendum because I really do like the Niro EV. But it's a major adjustment coming from a GM configured EV.
So I also turn of lane keep assist for normal driving. You can’t turn it off for assisted cruise control which I think is a good thing. But if you adjust the lane keep assist sensitizing from normal to slow...it really eliminates the ping ponging and makes for a much more pleasant adaptive cruise experience. I still think the lane keep assist wants to stick to much to the left lane but it’s easy to correct the car if your alert and have your hands on the steering wheel (as you should be).
Great review -- I like the Bolt styling more, willing to give up some extra km's for that :>)
Test drove the Bolt again today, just comparing it to the Kona now but Bolt is in stock and Kona you wait!!!
Cheers
Thanks!
I didn't get into the styling. I understand why people like the Kona's design; it is more traditional. But yes, I really like the Bolt EV's styling.
Eric, if I'm not mistaken, you and a few other reviewers have noted that in both the Kia and the Hyundai EVs, the battery is positioned relatively low in the chassis and may be vulnerable to road imperfections (e.g., bottoming out, etc.). In actual driving, did you find that to be the case?
They both have considerably more ground clearance than a Model 3, for example.
Great review. It is helpful to hear your comparison to the Bolt. The Niro looks like a good option. Also, I usually turn off lane keep assist on my Bolt. It can be annoying.
Thanks! I have the LT, so I don't really have a comparison point for the LKA, but I'm not a huge fan.
I do like Nissan's Pro Pilot Assist and Tesla's AP, and I would prefer either of those over the LKA + Smart Cruise Control in the Niro EV.
I feel like the LKA in the Bolt is very unreliable. When nobody is around, I try to test it by slowly and subtly trying to drift out of my lane, and it only kicks in about half the time.
Glad to see you back. I hope this car has better availability across the Country. That’s where the leaf e+ and bolt overtake this car. It should help more with electric vehicle adoption. I just drove the leaf e+, and the car is good for me. Considering a lease starting this summer.
Thanks! I've been bogged with work and under the weather a bit.
The LEAF e-Plus is also a great option. I'll see if I can talk Nissan into letting me review one. My only real concern with the LEAF is faster CHAdeMO support with the public charging networks. Otherwise, it should be more widely available than either the Kona Electric or Niro EV.
After driving the Niro EV, though, I actually think it and the new LEAF e-Plus might be much closer in driving experience than I first assumed. I like the LEAF's Pro Pilot Assist a lot more, and it does have one-pedal driving (though I think Nissan cheated a bit by using friction brakes).
Actually, now I really want to test the LEAF. lol
@@newscoulomb3705 The Leaf ePlus is built just like the bolt, a ground up EV, and it also has the pro pilot assist system which is superior to the system that the Niro EV uses. It's almost halfway to Autopilot. I think the next gen pro pilot will have autopilot like capabilities, and I hope Nissan supports OTA for that.
@@newscoulomb3705 The only issue with that Leaf is the air-cooled battery. I wouldn't trust it in very hot climates, like Phoenix/Vegas or the Gulf Coast. It would be a good value in Norway or the UK, though.
Great review as always... As an EV owner you notice things that most would not.
I do find the 2 hour coffee break notification a bit laughable..
I drive long distances every week..
I'm not ready to stop until I'm at least 300 miles into a trip.. I find that's a comfortable time to stretch, refuel the Prius, get a drink and be on my way for another 300 miles.
Do you have any cost info on your 1000 mile trip at the public charging stations?
Be interesting to see what the cost per mile was.. also how much time you spent charging to cover the 1000 miles.
That trip would cost me approx $70 at my cost per mile rate.
The low hanging battery pack would be a concern for me.. I am constantly rubbing the bottom of the Prius where I drive.. a bit of off roading in the Prius.. lolz.
Thanks!
I do have the total time and cost, but the the numbers are a bit inflated because of the extra, unnecessary time I spent testing on the faster charger.
Total charging time was ~240 minutes (not counting unnecessary time) for the full 1,000 miles. The total cost was less than $60 for the full 1,000 miles (not counting unnecessary charging).
The Niro also has a 7.2kW (30A) charger instead of a 7.7kW (32A) charger as on the Bolt. This would also contribute to your longer L2 charging times.
Ah, that could be it, though the chargers at my office also might only be 30 A. Based on the estimated capacity for the Niro EV, it might actually have 66 to 68 kWh of usable capacity, which would explain a number of things (charging rate, range at given efficiencies, charging time, etc.).
I purchased the Niro EV 3 weeks ago as a lease. I’m really loving it. It was between the Niro and the Bolt and it was easily the Niro EV for me. I was really disappointed in the cheapness of the seat fabric and the feel of the base level Bolt. The Premium Bolt was the only consideration but the cheap plastic interior and the lack of lights on the mirror killed the deal. Bolt was considerably cheaper monthly lease than the Niro but the wife would not approve of a car that doesn’t have lighted vanity mirrors. Sounds stupid I know but that’s just real life. We had a Nissan Rogue with no vanity mirrors at all and my wife hated it.
That being said the Niro interior was quite nice in comparison to the Bolt. Seats were more comfortable and the base model still has fake leather trimmings in the seats that really do look nice. The interior is not fisher price like the Bolt. It’s a quieter cabin as well I think and just felt like a much nicer car. That being said the Niro EV lease was considerably more expensive per month. By like $100. Oh and the other huge thug is that the Bolt doesn’t have assisted cruise control! The Niro does and it works great when you set it to the “slow” setting. You’ll know what I’m talking about if you buy the Niro. The “fast” and “Normal” setting of the lane keep assist makes the car ping pong in the lanes too much. Slow is just right and makes for a smooth ride in assisted cruise control. (Poor mans autopilot).
Range is excellent. Love the charging port in the front of the car (where it should be on every EV). Very simple to remove door panels to replace speakers with nicer ones in the base model without premium sound. Curb height is great and the doors don’t hit the curb or sidewalk on all but the tallest of curbs with like tree stumps or something. The windows come tinted saving $500 it would cost me. The ride on Los Angeles roads feels pretty good considering the shitty roads at times. Drove from Pasadena to San Diego and it made it down easily with room to spare. I fast charged on the way back up for 30 min.
Great, regional range, electric vehicle. Highly recommend.
Thanks for the feedback. I did drive the Kia Niro EV for over 1,300 miles, so I got a pretty good feel for it. Frankly, I think it's reviews like yours that got my hopes up before I tested the Niro EV, but ultimately, I left disappointed.
Some things come down to personal preference, but I did not find the interior of the Niro EV particularly comfortable or upscale. It is feature rich, but it also felt dated. I'm not a fan of driver assist functionality in general, but I also didn't like the behavior of either the smart cruise control or lane keep assist.
Again, though. You're right that it's a great option that provides some features and functionality that are unavailable in any other EVs.
Nice! You're lucky to get a one-week test drive. I could only test drive it for about 20 minute with the sales guy with me... Good info about the little quirks of NIro EV.
Great review! Quick Q about the braking to a stop. Do you think it could have been rough because the car was new and the brakes are not properly broken in yet?
Thanks! That could be. It's been so long since I've had to rely on friction brakes. 😂
I realized after that I have a good comparison point: The Jaguar I-PACE. When I test drove it, it had just as many miles as the Niro EV I drove; however, the I-PACE's sub 10 mph braking was smooth. This felt more like an issue with transitioning from regen to friction braking.
@@newscoulomb3705 Just to make sure I understand it correctly, the accelerator has regen on it, but it fades out when the sleep drops under a certain limit?
Yes. The regenerative braking force reduces to almost zero under 5 mph. It basically has creep on at all times (unless you hold the left regen paddle down until a full stop, which turns off creep).
I wish Tesla had a regen to zero option. You can disable creep, but it will always fade out regen at 4 mph. I guess they want to keep the brakes clean and keep drivers used to using the brake. I don't know.
Excellent video 😊
You are right the bolt and Kona are the same with legroom I'm talking about the Niro. Nowhere in my last post did I mention the Kona. The Niro has more width and more rear legroom than either the bolt of the Kona. This extra weight does affect performance and maybe range slightly. At the end of the day. Potential buyers should test all 3 cars personally before making a decision on what to buy.
Are you talking front or rear legroom? The front legroom is similar, but the Bolt EV has the most rear legroom, followed by the Niro EV, followed by the Kona Electric.
Nice review - great detail. Like your experience with EV showing. The tire presure thing is a great point, I test drove the Niro hybrid and remember how much better the mileage listing was on the base model compared to the touring version just based on the tires - base model had something crazy 12% better mileage with the skinny tires compared to the wider on the touring!!! Apparently touring for Niro does not include efficiency.
How did your Kona EV friend like it. I have the Kona ICE and love it and looking to get the Electric to replace my Pathfinder.
Cheers
Thanks!
David loves his Kona Electric. You already have one, so you know the size (which is the only issue for me). Other than the cargo and rear passenger room, I like the Kona Electric more than the Bolt EV or Niro EV.
I almost purchased a 2019 Bolt last May as I am driving a 2016 Spark EV. The front seat was a deal breaker for the Bolt which you don't seem to have a issue with. I now own a 2019 Niro EV, a much more comfortable car which I believe you mentioned. I will say Chevy does the best EV instrumentation.
Kicking myself for not mentioning it when I saw a prior video of you sitting in the Niro EV, but it would have been interesting to see if the Soul EV PIDS used with Torque Pro, would have worked and yielded more info about what goes on inside the Niro EV (level 2 charge rate, battery temps under certain conditions, etc).
Really enjoyed the video, hope you get ahold of a LEAF Plus.
I had the opportunity to ride & drive along the coast on hwy 1 last December.... wow. California has amazing natural beauty.
While I was tempted to try to track things through the OBD2 reader, that's a line I don't really want to cross on an official review vehicle. I'd definitely ask for explicit permission before doing that.
As it is, I was able to glean a lot of information just from various charging sessions. The timing didn't work out, so I missed the opportunity to really track the Niro EV's charging session on a 150 kW BTC Power charger that would display all of the details during the charge session, but I think the Recargo display provided all the details I'm really interested in.
Highway 1 is, in my opinion, one of the best roads in the world. I try to drive it when I have the time, though it adds well over an hour to what is already a long trip for me.
@@newscoulomb3705 So far as I've ever seen, the best driving road on Earth is the "Lick Road" (CA-130 heading out of San Jose up to the Lick Observatory). Over 4,000 feet in total elevation change in under 20 miles, along with an immeasurable number of tight curves and hellatious switchbacks. It makes Tail of the Dragon look like amateur hour.
Interior cargo space. . . The retractable package shelf is removable. Many drivers don't keep it in a car of this configuration.
Yes, I would definitely take it out as well, though that defeats the purpose of a privacy screen.
It's kind of nuts that a new EV in 2019 would be released without a one-pedal driving mode.
Did not see any details of the charging settings screen, I assume there is a setting to allow setting a maximum SoC like most other EVs (and unlike a 2017-2018 Bolt)
Yes, it does have the battery level settings, just like the Hyundai Kona Electric. Basically, the same set up.
If you watch Alex on Autos video, he compared Tesla, Niro EV, LEAF, and did a range test, created a table spreadsheet and it showed Niro EV beat Bolt EV, showing Bolt EV with real-world range of about 198 miles .. which was surprising to me... so take it for what it's worth... I'd get Niro EV shortly once my state incentives kick in...
When are you going to take the New Leaf out for a week's spin?
I'll ask. I already know my two big concerns: Battery Thermal Management and charger availability.
I really like the refreshed 2018 LEAF: Styling, interior, comfort, driver assist features, etc.
I the LEAF's driving is a lot more like the Niro EV's (not as engaging as I would prefer), but the e-Plus might have changed. The 40 kWh LEAF I drove felt a lot like my first generation Volt.
Thanks for the review. Even if the Niro EV is better than the Bolt, it wouldn't make sense to buy one. Chevy is now selling the Bolt in California for under $12,000 MSRP. You can buy a new Bolt for $26,000. Check out Fremont Chevy! Even though you only get back $3750 instead of $7500, it is a no brainer.
Thanks!
While I agree (which is why I made the comment about not trading my Bolt EV for the Niro EV), for some people, the driver assist features are a make or break. Plus, the seats in the Niro EV are simply much wider.
If you look at the width of the Niro EV compared to the width of the Bolt EV or Kona Electric, it is simply a wider car, which allowed Kia to fix one of the other big hangup people have with the Bolt EV: seat width.
Some people are fine with just a bit more padding, which is why they probably have no issues with the Kona Electric's seats, but for those who have issues with seat width, they need to look to something like the LEAF, Niro EV, or Model 3 SR.
@@newscoulomb3705 If the Bolt just had normal seats and was a tad wider it would have been the perfect EV... I do need the wider seats and may replace the Bolt with the Niro EV or Model 3 SR+. I will be testing out the Niro EV when I make a purchase next year. I also may try out the Kia Soul EV with 240 mile range.
Maybe in California. Try buying ANY EV in the rest of the country. At Michigan dealers, within 100 miles of me, there's a small handful of Leafs (6) and a modicum of Bolts (19 - starting at about $40k). That's it. Not a Kia or Hyundai in sight.
@@thelastremainingmoderate1997 most EVs are still compliance cars. People don't like that word, but if you don't live in a CARB state it is still hard to find an EV. The only exception to this is Tesla. You can order online in any state and get one pretty quickly.
@@dc48664
Yeah, I know. I just need to vent my frustration. It's not that I don't like the word, I don't like the concept. And as far as Tesla goes, the cost is totally prohibitive (and then some).
I want to say that Hyundai/Kia could sell thousands of these if they'd just make them more available. But I don't because I realize it's not a matter of just making them available, but of making them at all. They'd have to shut down other production lines to meet the world-wide demand for these.
I'm pushing 70, and will likely only buy one more car in my life. I'd love it to be an EV, but it doesn't look like they'll be a 200+ mile model below $30,000, available in the midwest, anytime soon
I purchased mine in May and have been getting more miles - 310 on average. Perhaps it is my driving and not using air conditioning.
There's a bit of a learning curve for EVs. In terms of efficiency, they work the opposite way from ICE vehicles. Gas cars get terrible mpg in city, but it's better on freeways. EVs get great mileage around town, but it drops significantly at freeway speeds.
The problem with EV reviews right now are that people are cherry picking data and not doing an apples to apples comparison.
Did you test Lane Follow Assist at all? It's not the same as Lane Keep Assist.
Do you mean Kia's proprietary name for lane keep assist or is there an additional functionality to unlock? I was missing documents and marketing materials when I received the Niro EV, so I'm not up on the trademark language.
„Quirks and Features“ - nice hat tip to Doug!
Haha, good catch!
I actually watched his review of the Niro EV recently, and I was surprised by his lack of enthusiasm for the Niro EV, though after driving and testing the Niro EV myself, I can understand why he gave it a lower score than the Bolt EV.
I really think the Niro EV is best for drivers who just want a comfortable ride from Point A to Point B. I think my preferences put me halfway between Doug and an average driver. I like performance and engaging driving dynamics, but maybe not as much as him. He did get a Ford GT after all. :-)
The Niro EV sounds like a very decent car, but we will have to wait for more 100kW+ charging stations to come online or existing stations to be upgraded to 100kW+ before it really shines...
I'm also interested in seeing how the 2020 Soul EV stacks up, since it's supposed to have more driving range(just 4 miles more, but still), it might have better interior room as well.
Yes, the Soul EV is another option I'm looking forward to. A friend is considering it, and I think the Soul EV's height might address some of the constraints I encountered with the Niro EV's cargo space.
I've had two Kia Soul EVs. Currently, lease a 2018 . I really like the car and wanted to lease a 2020, but they are not available in Oregon. And I'm told they will not be any time soon. I'm disappointed that Kia has priced the Nero EV higher end model so high putting a lease out of my budget range. I recently leased a 2020 Bolt Premier instead, because, taking the current incentives into account, it is a much better value, and the lease is the same cost as my 2018 Kia Soul EV plus with fun and sun panoramic roof option. I wish the Bolt had a panoramic roof. Could one be installed? If so, I could see keeping the Bolt for 8 years or more if it holds up well.
I'm sure you could install an aftermarket panoramic or sunroof, but it would be expensive. Also, it's common to have issues with leaks and fitment.
@@newscoulomb3705 After driving my new Bolt for a while, I'm thinking I may have one installed if I buy the car out of the lease. I've been doing research into towing a Tear Drop camper with the Bolt. People town them with Mini Coopers, and VW Beatles. The Bolt has a lot more power than these cars, so I'm thinking the car could handle it. There is a 2-inch receiver hitch available for the Bolt. The 13' Scamp travel trailer might be an option as well, being it is around 1400 pounds and the hitch weight is around 150. Have you thought about testing the Bolt by towing a small Tear Drop Camper? Some weigh no more than 4 adults. I've camped and slept in the back of my Kia Soul EV. You can leave it running overnight with the climate control on. I lost hardly any range. Maybe 1 kWh. The traction battery charges the 12 volt battery, and a line to the campers' battery means camping all electric with no propane off the grid. And then there are solar panel possibilities. I've enjoyed your videos on the Bolt. Lets see what this car is really capable of doing. I never see any videos of people camping with EVs. But I see full time RV'er types living in gas cars to escape the tread mill.
I'm torn between the Niro EV and the Bolt. I'm leaning more towards the BOLT because of the cheap prices for purchase or lease. I heard some Kia dealerships are putting mark ups on the new Niro EVs.
I've mostly heard of markups on the Hyundai Kona Electric. The Niro EV, however, is just a more expensive car to start with.
The discounts on the Bolt EV are insane right now, though, so it will be hard to find a cheaper EV.
Still, I recommend test driving both because I think they cater to very different drivers.
Check CarGurus for dealers with Niro EV stock. On the east coast several dealers are offering a discount. Maryland dealers for example.
over all you get a better product with the Niro and the Kia has 7-year warranty, 8 years for the Battery. take them both for a drive before you decide.
Wish you could do a true-range test, side by side with your Bolt EV. Like, both cars start at 100% charge and drive X distance (say, 60 miles) and see how much % charge shows on the display and see the mi/kWh numbers?
That's kind of a pointless test in this case, simply because it would be of benefit to so few buyers. Preference between the two cars appears to be a horses for courses matter in ways unrelated to range and mi/kWh.
@@EMichaelBall It'd be worthwhile to me... so dont watch if you dont like it.
Yeah range is a wash. They both get excellent range and its not really worth focusing on. I’ve seen other reviewers also dismiss the range comparisons for the same reason. Worth mentioning if one of the cars is under or over performing on range...otherwise not worth mentioning when comparing two equally ranged vehicles.
I prefer the Nero over the Bolt.
I think many people agree with you, which is why it is such a great addition. I want to do more testing with the Kona Electric, but much like the Bolt EV, I worry that it might not fit a number of people's needs in the same way the Niro EV does. Having the additional option of the Niro EV is going to get a whole lot more people into electric vehicles.
@@newscoulomb3705 And with the Kia Soul EV, there are plenty of choices too.
And I believe despite the fact that GM has kept the MSRP of the Bolt the same as it was originally, a Bolt can be bought for much cheaper than that. Sub $30k cheap.
@@itechiwizard83 Yes. In my opinion, in terms of actual, real world prices, the Bolt EV is still the best value of any EV on the market (as long as you are in a CARB state). Even with half the Federal Tax Credit, the final price for most people will be around $25,000.
I would chose the Niro over the bolt. it was designed to be a hybrid PHEV and full electric from the start. My view of you review was you were anti Kia. The Kia here in the uk has jus won electric car of the year 2019 so it can’t be all bad. I was well impressed when I drove it that I ordered one. curtain cars suit different driver styles. And all I can say obviously it didn’t suit yours
Oh, I think the Niro EV is a great car, but it had some surprising issues I wasn't expecting to encounter. As with all vehicles, it has its strengths and weaknesses.
Thank you for the great interview. Kia should sell this car globally like the leaf.
Thanks! I think they are going to be selling it globally, but I do worry about battery supply with LG going after SK Innovation with a lawsuit.
As it is, I think that Asia and Europe are going to get a bulk of the Niro EVs, even though I think the Niro EV might be the best mid-priced EV option for the average American. I really think Kia could easily sell 5,000+ a month in the United States if they can keep up the supply.
@@newscoulomb3705 5,000+ a month at what level of loss? Battery costs and supplies continue to plague automakers (even Tesla, at least in terms of supply), and will be for a while unless EVs are sold at robotaxis. At that point, the extra cost of an initial purchase can be justified with reduced maintenance spending over many years vs. ICE.
It is sold pretty much all over but its limited production means those areas with emissions regs and consumption laws sees it targeted in those places.
Kona and niro and soul ev 2020 with heat pump is way better option than bolt ev for canadians as bolt owner I like the car but I lose 40% range in winter
Have you experienced the same issue with the heater taking a long time to cycle on?
@@newscoulomb3705 lately I noticed when I set the heat at 21 degree and under sometimes the heat stop coming and it turn to just fan before winter arrives I will have it checked but my big complain is the heater is inefficient I lose 40 to 50% of range hopefully GM give option of heat pump for their future ev cars
Yes, at first it was excusable because we were getting the range no one else was offering. Now, it's important for GM to continue improving.
News Coulomb if you want to stop the car using regen, hold in the right paddle and the car comes to a full stop. The Opel ampera/bolt is next to useless when the winter sets in due to ineficcient battery heating/insulation, while the heatpump system in the niro is exellent.
The problem with heat pump designs is exactly what he mentioned. Yes.. more efficient.. and Yes won't actually heat the cabin.
How good will it be when it's winter and you can't get the ice or fog off the window? And can't see where your going.
Unfortunately for now winter is a serious issue for EV's.
Chevy decided having a heater that actually works was not important than saving the battery power.. since they knew that many of them the. Would be sold in Canada.
Perhaps some blend of the two systems is what is really needed . That adds complexity and cost
Here's what I want for my FIRST Electric Car: BASIC Car ( K. I. S.S.) ~ Charge on 110vac~ No Computers ~ Digital Read outs ~ 100
I prefer the nob instead of the push buttons for the shifter, I think push buttons is not very intuitive.
I liked the dial in concept, but not after I drove with it. I haven't logged enough time with button shifters, but I might end up not liking them as much either.
I would think the knob can be used without looking, but buttons you would have to see directly.
What are the things Bolt owners love about their Bolt that the Niro doesn't deliver on? It's a little vague to say that and not point out directly.
I talk about it pretty extensively throughout the review.
- One pedal driving
- Acceleration and handling
- Smooth braking
- Effective, functional heater
- Refined systems functionality
@@newscoulomb3705 Thanks, you did talk about these. It would still be helpful to just quickly list a few of these when you mention that Bolt owners have some things they really like. Just helps summarize things.
Thanks for the review! It made me reconsider Bolt vs Niro.
@@newscoulomb3705 What about Niro EV EX Premium has built-in GPS nav map, but Bolt EV requires you to use Apple Car Play or Android auto? And Niro EV has max fast charge at about 75kW, while Bolt EV max is about 50kW?
If you want to buy one in the UK There's a 12 month wait! Fantastic piece of kit though ...
Yeah, I can't believe that. I was watching "Electric Vehicle Man" talk about his wait (and price hike) for the eNiro.
@@newscoulomb3705They've gone up by £1700 approx. although they now have the "Telematics" 3 way split infotainment system if you're into that sort of technology?? :)
@@jackshack8482 I might be into that sort of technology if it didn't cost £1700. :-D
I wonder whether that's similar to the I-PACE, which can project navigation and maps onto the DIC. Of course, that makes sense on the I-PACE, which also has a HUD (I think the Kona has that but the Niro doesn't).
Good review, thanks. But the comment about the bull attacking the car is a stretch.....
Thanks! Are you saying that comment was bull? 😂
In all seriousness, though, the only time I've see cattle bolt like that around a car is when someone honks their horn. They were definitely spooked.
@@newscoulomb3705 Ha! I see what you did there :). Yeah, cows can get spooked. I'm a little amazed that cows can be free ranging (no fence?) Must be a CA thing :)
I believe that atleast here in sweden, that sound can be turned off, no bulls will be attacking :P
The low speed braking/creep behavior would bug me. The first gen Leaf is the same way. Hard to drive smoothly. Tesla does it right by just keeping it simple. No artificial creep or blended braking.
I was under the impression that Tesla doesn't provide one pedal driving. Has that changed?
@@newscoulomb3705 Most of the time it's one pedal. Full control of all regen is on the accelerator pedal. No artificial braking when Regen drops off. Nice and simple, kind of like a manual.
@@quizzley7 I'd much prefer that Tesla integrates regen with the pedal. It's far safer and more precisely controlled to separate accell/brake functions. I don't like Tesla's variable off-throttle regen profile.
Yeah man, you ripped it hard. Like really really ruff on it. Your final comments, while literally taken speak strongly...... The amount of time you tore into it will likely have a much greater impression on viewers than those final words. I mean, what value is the Doug score anyway?
I guess I did. Maybe I was let down after all the hype. I can't remember the Doug Score... I just know Doug ranked the Niro EV below the Bolt EV.
Bolt dimensions length 164.0 inches, width 69.5 inches, height 62.8 inches. Kona EV dimensions length 164.56 inches, width 70.86 inches, height 68.89 inches. Niro EV dimensions Length 172.24 inches, Width 71.06 inches, height 61.41 inches. all these figures are from the car manufacturer's own websites.
So looking at the figures both the Kona and Niro are wider than the bolt and the Niro is longer with more rear legroom than both the Kona and the Bolt. I'm really happy you love your Bolt, but the vehicles being released onto the market now and into the future are all only going to get better, by all manufacturer's hopefully. My question to you would be if these two cars and the Tesla 3 where all available for sale when you decided to buy an EV vehicle, would you still have bought the Bolt?.
If you are being totally honest, I don't think you would. You bought your bolt because you thought that was the best EV on the market at that point in time. I'm not knocking the bolt if it was not for the terrible front seats it's a great car and the reflection that comes of the front windscreen in direct sunlight if you chose the light color trim has been another complaint by owners.
I think you will find in the cross over the sector, once Hyundai and Kia sort out the issue with a short supply of the battery packs and limiting these two vehicles worldwide, they will forge ahead. The Tesla model 3 is a great car, I sat in awe as the autopilot function was demonstrated by the driver as I watched the youtube video. I have watched a lot of youtube videoes especially on the Niro EV and no other reviewer seemed to have the same issues you mentioned with your test Vehicle
Whether you use the paddle system of the brake pedal, the whole purpose is to return as much electric energy back to the battery cells. At the end of the day price, comfort and value for money are the deciding factors most people buy the vehicle of choice. I never buy or don't buy something because of a review, I go and test it myself in person.
The exterior dimensions is why I mentioned the significance of the Niro EV's not being a purpose built EV. Much of the Niro EV's footprint is wasted as it was designed to also accommodate an internal combustion engine. Even still, the width is the one area where the Niro EV shines over both the Bolt EV and Kona Electric, so if that is important to you, it should be something to note.
Before reviewing the Niro EV, I probably would have given it the nod over the Bolt EV, but driving the Niro EV for a week changed my mind. I consider the Model 3 to be a different class of vehicle (sedan versus CUV/hatchback), but I do like it a lot as a vehicle. I doubt many of my concerns and criticisms of the Niro EV would apply, though the Model 3 is a significantly smaller car. It has 5 cu/ft less seat down cargo space than the Kona Electric, which is by far the smallest of the hatchbacks we're discussing.
While I agree that things should be improving over time, part of my letdown with the Niro EV was that it wasn't a significant enough improvement after two and a half years to warrant the compromises (which, to be fair, might not be important to some people).
Of course you shouldn't base your buying decisions solely on reviews, but I hope mine at least gives you food for thought and information that might not be apparent in a short test drive.
The Niro EV is new to the market,. in the electric-only format as a fully electric vehicle, so yes it will need some fine-tuning to fix some minor issues. As a six foot plus guy, the seats in the Bolt are absolutely awful, not wide enough and uncomfortable, this feature alone is way better in the Niro with proper wider seats especially across the shoulder area.
The complaints about the paddle shifters to stop the car, lane keeping assist as just that, they are an aid for the driver but are not meant to do away with commonsense driving, driving the car like a conventional ICE car, still makes the Niro Ev enjoyable to drive. Setting the regenerative braking to its maximum setting and then using the brake pedal to stop the car is not a chore. The bolt's interior is cheap and nasty and it shows when you have both cars side by side.
The Niro Ev has far more rear legroom than the bolt and being a new car has the $7,500 government rebate available on the Niro, but not on the bolt now, so to move an oversupply of Bolts I'm sure good deals can be found.
For me, driver comfort, a wider interior, more rear-seat legroom and great build quality with a 7-year warranty, 8 years on the battery pack, would sway me any day to buy a Niro Ev over a Bolt.
It will be interesting hearing from Niro Ev owners in a years time about their purchase. This car and the Kona Ev will kill sales of the Bolt. The only thing that will save the bolt will be the lack of availability of the Niro EV and Kona EV and big discounts on the price of the bolt in the future.
The next general Bolt or replacement vehicle needs to be wider. It's front seats for taller and wider people, mainly men are it's the biggest downfall in my opinion.
You might want to to remeasure the rear passenger room. You do have a point about the width of the vehicles, however, the Bolt EV and Kona Electric are identical in width (and in front seat width).
As for using the brake pedal, it's not a big deal for someone who has never stopped using it. For someone who has spent 2+ years only ever using the brake pedal for emergency stopping, going back to regularly using it in daily driving is a big deal.
Also, if I have to use the brake pedal, I want the transition from regenerative to friction braking to be much smoother than it is in the Niro EV. Even though I had to use the brake pedal in the Jaguar I-PACE (in the same way as the Niro EV), the I-PACE's friction braking was consistent and smooth.
The biggest competitive advantage the Niro EV has over the Bolt EV is the Niro EV's driver assist features. I went in expecting to be wowed, but I was underwhelmed. Nissan's Pro Pilot Assist is far better, as is Tesla's AP system, which has been upgraded since the last version I tested.
Too bad Kia is dropping the ball on the Niro. Still only available in a handful of states, and costs $15,000 more than the most expensive Niro Hybrid Touring.
Yeah. I really liked the Niro EV as an option, but it is way too scarce and over-priced (at least with dealership markups).
Check out Bjorn Hyland's more comprehensive review of this ev.
I already did. He seems to have come to some different conclusions than I, but to each his own. He also really hated the Ampera-E, which tells me that he and I are looking for different things.
why is Bolt still the only true one peddle BEV that doesn't use friction brakes?
Bolt does use frictional brakes at the very last end. However, that's mainly to keep it in place after stopping.
I think it's because people underestimated just how good GM's EV engineering team really is. If I understand it correctly, GM might actually have a patent with Bosch that enables them to create a true one-pedal driving experience without using the friction brakes.
@@itechiwizard83 this only happens on light hills (not very consistently either) not on every stop
@@johnchartrand5910 It is true that on steeper slopes running in L activates the 'one pedal' scheme but won't hold the car. In that case one has to hold the car with the foot brake for creep. On relatively level ground it isn't an issue. I live in hill country so I'm used to it.
My understanding I'd that the effect of one pedal driving is created by magnetic fields in the motor that try and prevent it from revolving. But there's a practical limit for doing that.
Would never trade my Bolt for a Niro. Or Kona, for that matter.
I was told by Kia corporate its only going to be available in compliance car states in the US. So its vaporware for most of us
My understanding is that you can order it in any state if you go through a dealership. The question is the wait time. Even in markets with full support, wait lists are easily months long.
we can go around in circles you either love or hate any EV.for that model on the market, whether it's purpose-built or produced for different power plants it's all irrelevant. It's what people decide to buy that concerns them. I love the Niro, you don't which is fine, so lets all move on.
Actually, I really like the Niro EV because it's a capable EV that's right for certain people. However, it's not the right EV for everyone. For whatever reason, people seem to think that the EV they like the most is somehow also the best choice for everyone else, and that is simply not the case.
Feelings are irrelevant in this. Does it do what you expect it to do? And how well does it do those things?
For some people, the Bolt EV is a far better vehicle than the Niro EV. For others, the Kona Electric is a far better vehicle than the Niro EV. For still others, the LEAF e-Plus is a far better vehicle.
Sure, we can go in circles, but the fact remains that the Niro EV has some serious design issues that some people wouldn't be willing to compromise on. Maybe those things aren't important to you, but they are important to someone.
KIA Dealers are adding additional $5,000 above sticker price, standard EX $45,000 to the premium $51,700. not worth purchasing ...specially with newer 2020 EV coming out at the end of the year ... The dealer stated their doing this due to: not to much EV cars yet in the market, prices will go down once more competitive EVs are available. hahahahha what a rip off...
Yes, in my opinion, it's not a great value at this point. For that money, I'd expect the Niro EV to be a lot better than the Bolt EV or LEAF, and it's just not.
I just purchased an EX trim for $4000 under MSRP in Massachusetts. The inventory is limited, but they know they are also competing against Tesla.
So far, it doesn't seem that California is getting any deals. I need to check back on the Kona Electric, but early on, Southern California dealerships were charging a $7,500 to $8,500 mark up (completely eliminating the Federal Tax Credit).
Like you said, at that price, you could buy a Tesla Model 3 LR. I really don't like comparing those vehicles, though, because they are very different platforms. But for the hatchback segment, in my opinion, those dealership markups make the Kona Electric and Niro EV uncompetitive. Keep them at MSRP, and then it's down to individual preferences.
@@newscoulomb3705 Not much markup here in Pacific NW.
You must have rocks in your head if you think the Bolt is better than the Niro!
You were worried that the Bulls would attack the car? Really?
No, of course not. What I didn't like is how agitated the cattle were getting. You don't want large animals, wild or domestic acting erratically when you're driving. It also puts ranchers in danger if they are driving cattle.
@@newscoulomb3705 I just watched your old review of the e Niro, I had no idea what a hunk of shit I’ve been driving around.
@@John-209 Overall, it's a solid EV, but I wasn't super impressed with the Niro EV. It had some issues that made it feel unfinished. Also, it just didn't feel as engaging to drive. I went in with very high expectations that maybe I shouldn't have had.
@@newscoulomb3705 I’ve heard you talk great about the bolt and you have one but every review I’ve seen says Niro is a better car than the bolt. Maybe you had E tron expectations not sure why 35 k new anyway I still 👍👍and like your channel that video surprised me though
@@John-209 Thanks. I guess that's part of my issue with the Niro EV. I was expecting it to be a far better car than the Bolt EV, and it wasn't. It had some strengths, sure, but it also had some weaknesses. Every other review I saw of the Niro EV was raving. Maybe if I had had access to more 100+ kW chargers at the time, it would have been different, and I believe KIA also made a change to the braking system since I reviewed it, which would have made a big difference. But then again, the auto steer nearly got me into two accidents at freeway speeds and the phantom braking in cruise control was unnerving, both of which probably weighed heavily in how I reviewed the car.
Love the sunroof. Having said that, I only buy American, union made cars.
Yeah, not having a sunroof is one of the big complaints I hear about the Bolt EV.
Just what, exactly, is a vee-hickle?
The proper pronunciation of the English word: vehicle. Vehicle is defined as: "a thing used for transporting people or goods, especially on land, such as a car, truck, or cart."
A pretty gloomy review, reflecting personal preference to GM BEV systems. I never thought GM qualifies as a measuring stick to anything on four wheels!
Well, I would consider these issues with any vehicle. While my time driving the Jaguar I-PACE and Nissan LEAF was shorter, I didn't encounter any of those issues in those vehicles.
For instance, the LEAF has true one pedal driving (though I don't like the use of friction brakes to accomplish it), and though the I-PACE lacks true one pedal driving, braking from 5 mph to a stop is smooth and predictable.
I didn't get the chance to test out the I-PACE's lane keep assist, but the LEAF's Pro Pilot Assist is leaps ahead of the Niro EV's driver assist features.
This commenters opinion wall simply reveals why they would never be able to give an objective review themselves. Again, quite common.
Not available nationwide so I’m out.
I believe you can order the Niro EV from any Kia dealership, but I don't know how long the wait will be.
Verry boring review
Definitely!
Probably the most negative and prejudicial review out there! Be forewarned.
Yup. Someone had to give honest feedback at some point; otherwise, Kia has nothing to base their improvements on. Doug DeMuro gave a similar review without going into the specific details about why he ranked the Niro EV below the Bolt EV on his "Doug Score."
I go back and forth. In some ways I like the Niro EV more. In other ways, I like the Bolt EV more. I think I like them both more than the Hyundai Kona Electric. As I said in the review, it comes down to what you, as an individual, value.
Thomas Wilcox
Hmmm how many professional car mags are really bought and paid for adverts? Ive watched a lot and frankly most have little or no value to offer consisting of "isnt it shiney" and not much else.
I think you can count negative reviews like this one on one hand. It tells more about the reviewer than on the review.
@@marcbruneel1858 Having an EV I knew exactly what Eric was talking about and his attempt to be objective and evenhanded is well known. The problem with your criticism is you offered no evidence yourself that your opinion should be taken seriously in comparison to Eric's track record.