KIA Niro All Electric Crossover Test Drive Review
Has The KIA Niro enough driving range to interest you
Before we get to the KIA Niro review, we share some food information. If you have visited South Korea in last decade you would noticed a large variety of Fried Chicken outlets offering numerous ‘taste’ options.
This Fried Chicken popularity has slowly arrived in Malaysia and if you visit any of the ‘Korean’ fried chicken outlets the first shock will be its high selling price. Yes, it is very tasty and there are many Malaysians willing to even line-up at some outlets to get a taste.
Now, we all know for a fact that Malaysians, be it Malay cuisine, Chinese cuisine and even Indian cuisine have great tasting fried chicken at very reasonable selling prices, but some how, the Korean fried chicken has a bigger following even with its high selling price.
So, if you understand the above, understand why the KIA Niro electric crossover costs RM255k when most of its segment rival’s costs less.
The only difference is that there is no waiting list to own one. Why? Well, the electric car ownership is somewhat different to fried chicken.
KIA has delivered a premium EV that is sized almost similar to a Toyota Corolla Cross. The Niro is not as avant-garde looking as the KIA EV6 electric CUV or as sleek as its sibling, the Hyundai IONIQ.
So, in a price sensitive market, the NIRO EV is sized to compete head on with the award winning BYD Atto3 and the cutesy ORA Good Cat.
The NIRO EV Cabin
Now that you understand where the NIRO EV stands, lets look at the cabin features.
This KIA Niro has an avant-garde interior, styled and upholstered with premium materials and textured surfaces. Its parametric design borrows cues from the EV6 CUV.
The interior of Niro EV is composed of animal-free textiles, including the premium seating surfaces to touch-points throughout the cabin. The headliner is composed of recycled wallpaper, which contains 56 percent reused PET fibers.
The slim, contemporary seats are covered by high-quality bio polyurethane and Tencel made from eucalyptus leaves. BTX-free paint, which is free from benzene, toluene and xylene isomers is used on the door panels to minimize the impact on the environment and reduce waste. Wow, simply impressive how KIA designers have taken the trouble here.
The off-center dashboard curves around the front occupants, with opposing horizontal and diagonal lines leading to a calming yet daring aesthetic. Dual 10.25-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system create a powerful, first visual impression and offer state-of-the-art connectivity. Ambient mood lighting in a multitude of color combinations heightens the senses while creating a serene environment.
The front seats feature cool air ventilation. There is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.
The 2023 Kia Niro EV is available with the same vehicle-to-load (V2L) onboard generator functionality pioneered by the EV6.
The NIRO EV Technology
Standard, cutting-edge ADAS technology on the 2023 Niro includes:
- Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) with Pedestrian detection capability: Warns if there is risk of a collision with a pedestrian in front of the vehicle while driving and may automatically assist with braking
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): Helps detect lane markings and provides steering inputs to help prevent the vehicle from leaving the lane while driving
- Lane Following Assist (LFA): Helps detect lane markings and vehicles ahead and provides steering inputs to help center the vehicle in the lane
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW): Analyzes the driver attention level and provides a warning if a break is recommended. It may also provide a leading vehicle departure alert if the leading vehicle departs from a stop and the driver does not react within a certain time period
- Blind Spot Collision Avoidance (BCA) with Parallel Exit: May help avoid collisions with rear-side vehicles when exiting a parallel parking spot by automatically assisting with braking
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance-Assist (RCCA): Helps detect approaching cross traffic when in reverse. When approaching cross traffic is detected, the system alerts the driver and may apply brakes
- Safe Exit Warning (SEW): Provides a warning when a vehicle is approaching from the rear-side while someone is exiting the vehicle
- Rear Occupant Alert (ROA): Provides a warning to the driver to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Navigation-Based Curve is available across the Niro lineup, as is FCA with Assist-Junction w/ Cyclist & Junction Turning.
The all-electric Kia Niro EV is powered by a 64.8 kWh battery and a 150kW (201-horsepower) motor with DC fast-charging capability as standard.
Plugged in to a Level 3 fast charger, the Niro EV can recharge its battery from 10 percent to 80 percent in about 45 minutes, at a maximum charging capability of 85 kW. The 11kW onboard charger also helps recharge the Niro EV in under seven hours on a Level 2 charger.
Intelligent regenerative braking enables a variety of regeneration levels to easily slow the car and recuperate kinetic energy to maximize driving range. This you need to ‘learn’ in time how to do effectively.
The NIRO EV Drive
Well, its silent and quick like its rivals and the heavy battery pack ensures good handling and balance when taking fast corners. Power delivery is fun and with good sound insulation, you hear little wind noise even at illegal highway speeds.
Its drivers seat comfort is very good, long distance driving will be easy and 2 passengers in the rear will be very happy and if there is a 3rd passenger in the rear, legroom is still good but the width is questionable with the size od passenger sitting in the rear.
Driver has good outward vision and minimal blind spots with easy entry an exit as it is not too high off the ground.
Take the NIRO EV for a test drive to find out if it suits your emission free driving needs.
KIA Niro EV Specifications
Powertrain: Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Battery Capacity: 68.0 kWh
Range: 385km
Charge Type: Type 2 (AC) and CCS2 (DC)
Max power: 201bhp
Max torque: 6255Nm
Top Speed: 167km/h
0-100 km/h: 7.8 seconds
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