The Niro that heralded a new era of electrification at Kia when it debuted in 2016 has entered its second generation with all-round updates. As before, the Niro offers a choice of multiple alternative powertrains and suits the needs of a wide range of customers.
The 2023 Kia Niro broke cover on November 25, 2021, at the 2021 Seoul Mobility Show. It will make its U.S. debut at the 2022 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS 2022) on April 13, 2022, at 10:10 AM ET. Here’s what we know about the improved electric SUV version.
2023 Kia Niro Exterior
The 2023 Kia Niro has an unmistakable road presence with a bold design inspired by the Kia HabaNiro concept presented during the 2019 New York International Auto Show. In addition to being significantly more premium, its exterior is quite funky, with a strong focus on tapping the interest of young customers. The silhouette is largely similar, but there is a greater degree of extremity at the rear, explained later in this section.
Video Source: YouTube/Car Professional
The new Niro’s Tiger nose grille is slimmer, edgier, and noticeably wider, covering the width of the SUV. The vertical headlamps and their striking ‘heartbeat’ LED DRL provide a confident look and aggressive styling to the SUV. The lower grille is taller and larger, adding to its assertiveness. Kia says the Niro uses the group’s third generation K platform and it’s a clean-sheet design compared to the current Niro EV. The all-new Niro embodies the brand’s ‘Opposites United’ design language.
The Kia HabaNiro concept strongly influences the 2023 Kia Niro’s exterior design. Image Source: Naver/카피엔스
On the sides, the 2023 Kia Niro has edgy mirrors, 17-inch wheels, a contrast C-pillar, and a distinct steel gray body cladding. This feature would make the all-new Niro instantly recognizable, and it’s not just an aesthetic feature. It enhances airflow and improves the vehicle’s aerodynamics. However, we would like to point out that the Hyundai Bayon, also unavailable stateside, has the same style of lights. The charging port is positioned between the front grilles.
The rear windscreen is extremely raked, at a steeper angle compared to the first-gen Niro. Another noticeable change is the relocation of the registration plate area from the bumper to the tailgate. Where the first-gen model has rounded elements for soft styling, the second-gen model has sharp lines for edgy and aggressive styling, and this applies to the rear windows and quarter glasses, too. The draft coefficient (Cd) is 0.29, which is quite impressive for a boxy SUV.
2023 Kia Niro Interior
Kia has been making great progress in the past decade in the area of interior design, and the 2023 Niro is the latest example showcasing that achievement.
The cabin of the Niro goes on a diet to free up space for occupants and is aesthetically pleasing. The slim and fluidic dashboard with its stylish off-center curves, the sleek panel merging the fully digital instrument cluster and the touchscreen infotainment system, the chic center console, the dial-type electronic gear selector, and the luxurious two-spoke steering wheel borrowed from the EV6 have made the Niro a more upmarket SUV.
The 2023 Kia Niro (EV variant pictured) has a new minimalist interior theme that harks back to the EV6. Image Source: Hyundai Motor Group
The rising door armrests for the front occupants go well with the new curvy dashboard design. The smaller switches and other physical controls complement the new minimalist interior theme. Kia has used several eco-friendly materials in the 2023 Niro, such as recycled wallpaper (for the headlining), Bio PU with Tencel from eucalyptus leaves (for the seats), and BTX-free paint (for the door panels).
10-inch head-up display, 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Digital Key 2, cabin air purifier, etc. are some of the other equipment highlights of the 2023 Niro. The ambient lighting strip in the cabin is a fine touch, making the cabin feel like a lounge on wheels.
Moreover, Kia is offering Natural Voice Recognition to control temperature and audio simply by saying a few commands for Niro EV customers in the UK. Buyers also get Kia Connect—the brand’s version of connected car features where owners can remotely access charge status, make route plans, and view vehicle health information among other functions. Details on the U.S.-spec 2023 Niro EV should be released at its premiere in New York.
The sleek ambient lighting strip makes the cabin appear like a lounge on wheels. Image: Kia Press Office
Thanks to Vehicle-To-Load (V2L) support, bi-directional charging is possible in the 2023 Niro EV. Like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Genesis GV60, the Niro EV now allows using its battery to charge other EVs and power electronic appliances, electronic equipment, and more.
2023 Kia Niro dimensions
Internationally, the 2023 Niro is 4,420 mm (174.0 in.) long, 1,825 mm (71.6 in.) wide, and 1,545 mm (60.8 in.) tall. Compared to the first-gen model, it is 65 mm (2.6 in) longer, 20 mm (0.8 in.) wider, and 10 mm (0.4 in.) taller. Its wheelbase measures 2,720 mm (107.1 in.), which marks an improvement of 20 mm (0.8 in.) from the first-gen model.
The cargo space behind the seats is 475 liters (16.7 cu. ft.), which is 24 liters (0.5 cu. ft.) more than before. Including the volume from the frunk (20 liters/0.7 cu. ft.) and the space freed after dropping the rear seats down, a total cargo space of 1,392 liters (49.1 cu. ft.) is available in the all-new Niro. Specifications of the American model should be released in the coming weeks.
The 2023 Kia Niro EV provides up to 1,392 liters (49.1 cu. ft.) of cargo space. Image Source: Kia Press Office
2023 Kia Niro powertrain
In Europe, the new Kia Niro EV is propelled by an electric motor tuned to deliver 150 kW (201 hp) and 255 Nm (188 lb.-ft.) of ‘instant’ torque. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in the 2023 Niro EV takes 7.8 seconds. The top speed of the fully redesigned electric SUV is 167 km/h (104 mph).
Powering the single motor is a 64.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack that provides a WLTP range of 463 km (288 miles). Comparatively, the EPA-est. range would be slightly lower, probably around 250 miles. The first-gen Niro EV with the 64 kWh battery pack can travel up to 239 miles (EPA-est.) on a full charge.
The second-gen Kia Niro is not an E-GMP platform model and comes with a basic design and feature set to preserve its attractive price range. Image Source: Kia Press Office
The Niro EV also supports DC fast charging that can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in just 43 minutes. Refer to the chart below to see the differences between the 2022 and 2023 Kia Niro EV models.
AspectOutgoing Kia Niro EVNew Kia Niro EVLength4,355 mm (171.4 in.)4,420 mm (174.0 in.)Width1,805 mm (71 in.)1,825 mm (71.6 in.)Height1,545 mm (60.8 in.)1,545 mm (60.8 in.)Wheelbase2,700 mm (106.2 in.)2,720 mm (107.1 in.)Power150 kW (201 hp)150 kW (201 hp)Torque 291 lb.-ft.255 Nm (188 lb.-ft.)Range239 miles (EPA-est.)250 miles (expected EPA-est.)Battery Size64 kWh64.8 kWhDC fast-charging0% – 80% SoC in 54 minutes10% – 80% SoC in 40 minutesTowing capacityNo Towing Capability750 kgBoot space451 liters (15.9 cu. ft.)475 liters (16.7 cu. ft.) + 20 liters (0.7 cu. ft.) frunkLuggage Capacity1,405 liters (49.6 cu. ft.)1,392 liters (49.1 cu. ft.)
All confirmed New Kia Niro EV specifications apply to European/UK units. American model specs awaited. Source: Kia
The Kia Niro hybrid and Kia Niro PHEV continue to serve customers and markets that aren’t ready to adopt battery-electric cars. The all-new Niro sits on an improved version of the eco-car platform that debuted in 2015.
The Kia Niro hybrid new model features a new SmartStream 1.6L engine that produces 105 PS (104 hp) and 14.7 kgf.m (106 lb.-ft.) which works together with an electric motor generating 32 kW (43 hp) and 170 Nm (125 lb.-ft.). The combined maximum power of the HEV is 141 PS (139 hp). The battery pack in the all-new Niro Hybrid is below the rear seats. A 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends drive to the wheels. The fuel economy rating in South Korea is 20.1 km/l, which converts to 47 mpg.
Safety
Kia seems to have left no stone unturned in the safety department for the second-generation Niro EV. The UK-spec EV comes equipped with Kia’s Drivewise advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The EV gets front collision assist and new junction turning and crossing functions which detect oncoming vehicles at an intersection and necessitate safety measures. There’s also the new 10-inch heads-up display that helps drivers avoid distractions by showcasing essential driving information on the HUF itself.
What’s more, Kia says the torsional rigidity of the Niro EV has improved. There’s an impressive 22% increase in advanced high strength steel use while the body in white weight (weight before the motor, chassis components, and interior trims) has been reduced by 20.3 kg (6%). The improvements in rigidity would also enhance the ride and handling characteristics of the Niro. Rigid unibody structures offer tight body control and are less prone to getting unsettled because of road imperfections. The safety kit of the U.S. spec Niro EV should be available at its debut next week.
Price & Release Date
Kia will launch the 2023 Niro in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric variants in the United States. Image Source: Hyundai
Following its U.S. debut in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric variants at NYIAS 2022 next week, the 2023 Kia Niro may start arriving at U.S. dealers in Q4 2022 (October-December 2022). Expect official release date announcement and specification sheets at the U.S. debut on April 13, 2022. The prices of the 2023 Kia Niro EV should start between USD 35,000-38,000.
The Niro EV competes with its cousin, the Hyundai Kona EV, which features a new face and updated interior following the mid-cycle refresh in 2021. It rivals the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, too, the troubled model that is once again in production, and is seeking a fresh start.
The sales launch of the Kia Niro FMC (Full Model Change) is confirmed for the last quarter of 2022 for the United States. Source: Kia Worldwide/Youtube
Niro EV proving to be Kia’s workhorse
The current-gen Kia Niro is not a sales champion in the United States, but it has contributed positively to the image of Kia electric vehicles in the country. The EV variant has won the heart of many Americans that it has ranked No.1 in the J.D. Power 2022 Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study. This is the second consecutive year that the Niro EV has topped the J.D Power customer satisfaction index.
The study for 2022 was fielded in October 2021 and 8,122 BEV and PHEV owners were surveyed in total. Repeating its performance from the previous year, the Kia Niro EV ranked the highest in the mass market BEV category, with a score of 744 on a 1,000 point scale. Owners were surveyed in the study on the factors like range, ownership cost and driving enjoyment to understand how likely the customers are to repurchase their EV, and recommend it to others.
The 2022 Kia Niro EV quickly replaced the 2021 model in the United States. The minor changes, Kia would hope, help retain the interest in the car until the new-generation Niro (SG2) becomes available later this year.
According to a report from InsideEVs, Kia sold 8.717 units of the Niro EV in the U.S. in 2021. Compared to 2020, annual sales of the electric SUV were up 206% in the country, which is a remarkable growth. Kia said that EV sales in the U.S. grew 97% year-over-year in 2021. The EV6 and upcoming new-generation Niro EV could help make new records in 2022 and 2023.
Soul EV discontinuation clears the way for the Niro EV
The Kia Soul EV is gone for good in the U.S. market. There’s no plan to launch the second-gen Soul EV, as per a report from Autoblog. The Kia Niro EV will be the only pure electric offering from the brand in that segment. The SUV body style and added space make the Niro EV suitable for American customers. Kia will go all-out in making the Niro EV a better fit for the U.S. market as its success in the B-segment hinges on it.
Next-gen Kia Niro EV FAQs
When will the new Kia Niro be launched?
Kia has confirmed that the all-new Niro will launch in the U.S. between Oct & Dec 2022.
What will be the 2023 Kia Niro EV price?
The base variant (U.S.-spec) of the 2023 Kia Niro EV is projected to cost between USD 35,000 and 38,000.
Which SUVs are the 2023 Kia Niro EV competitors?
The 2023 Kia Niro EV (U.S.-spec) will compete with the 2022 Hyundai Kona EV & the Chevrolet Bolt EUV.
Featured Image Source: Hyundai
Keyword: 2023 Kia Niro EV: Everything we know as of April 2022