CHARGED Electric Vehicles Magazine – July-August 2019

JUL/AUG 2019 57

last spring, and tested it in conditions ranging from

stop-and-go Manhattan traffic to the mountains of

upstate New York. We came away mightily impressed.

As with all our electric test cars, we used the Niro

EV the same way we’d use any other vehicle. We

drove it wherever needed, at prevailing speeds, and

charged at home when possible and, when necessary,

at public sites. Temperatures during our test ranged

from 40 to 60 degrees F.

The pros

The Kia Niro EV is not only a viable competitor to the

Bolt, Kona Electric, and LEAF Plus, it’s better than

each of them in different ways. It’s less upright and

econocar-looking than the Bolt, with an interior that’s

not so Space Agey. The same comment on looks applies

to the LEAF Plus.

Unlike the smaller Kona Electric, the Niro has a rear

seat that’s usable by adults. Four people roughly 6 feet

tall could travel in the Kia, though rear-seat riders may

find the floor high (no footwells, since there’s a bat-

tery underneath) and the seat back more reclined than

usual. Still, they’d have adequate legroom.

The basic shape of the Kia Niro is smoother, sleeker,

and more adult than that of its counterpart the Kona

Electric. The grille of the gasoline versions has been

replaced by a blanking panel, but otherwise only a

handful of blue accents and minor details distinguish

Images courtesy of KIA