- Driving range
- Charging speed
- Charging Network
- All vehicles
- BYD Atto 3 (in addition to the shared features above)
- MG ZS EV (in addition to the shared features above)
- Kia Niro EV (in addition to the shared features above)
- Safety technology
- All vehicles
- BYD Atto 3 (in addition to the shared features above)
- MG ZS EV (in addition to the shared features above)
- Kia Niro EV (in addition to the shared features above)
- Cargo space
- Warranty and servicing
Pricing and specification details for the 2023 Kia Niro EV have been announced, with the electric small SUV featuring revised styling and powertrains.
The launch of the second-generation Kia Niro will coincide with the arrival of two new rivals in the hotly-contested small electric SUV segment: the BYD Atto 3 and the facelifted MG ZS EV.
Priced from $44,990 drive-away in Tasmania, the BYD Atto 3 will take the title of the cheapest electric vehicle in Australia, following a price increase to the MG that was previously available nationwide for $43,990 before on roads.
According to MG, the ZS EV small SUV will arrive in Australian showrooms later this month at $46,990 drive-away for the entry-level variant.
Far from cheap is the Kia Niro EV, priced from $65,300 plus on-roads – a $2710 jump over the outgoing model.
The circa-$20,000 price gap between the BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS EV from China and the Kia Niro EV is likely to discourage some prospective buyers for the Korean – especially when the rear-drive, E-GMP-based Kia EV6 large SUV is available for just $2690 more.
However, despite the price difference, these small electric SUVs are surprisingly close on paper.
So, how exactly do the specs of the BYD Atto 3, MG ZS EV and Kia Niro EV compare? Let’s find out.
Pricing
BYD Atto 3 and Kia Niro EV prices exclude on-road costs.
MG ZS EV pricing is drive-away.
| BYD Atto 3 | MG ZS EV | Kia Niro EV |
|---|---|---|
| 50kWh: $44,381 | Excite: $46,990 drive-away | S EV: $65,300 |
| 60kWh: $47,381 | Essence: $49,990 drive-away | GT-Line EV: $72,100 |
Electric vehicle incentives for all models, excluding the flagship Kia Niro EV GT-Line, are available to buyers in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia – but only if any optional extras and dealer delivery come in under the respective caps.
Availability
Kia will launch the Niro EV (and the Niro Hybrid) in early July, with pricing and features announced for the Australian market today.
Meanwhile, the updated MG ZS EV is expected to arrive later this month and its Chinese compatriot will touch down within the next two months, supply issues withstanding.
With demand for electric vehicles growing substantially in Australia, each vehicle is likely to be in short supply at launch.
Performance
| BYD Atto 3 | MG ZS EV | Kia Niro EV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 150kW | 130kW | 150kW |
| Torque | 310Nm | 280Nm | 255Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3s | 8.4s | 7.8s |
| Top speed | 175 km/h | 174 km/h | 167 km/h |
Driving range
| BYD Atto 3 | MG ZS EV | Kia Niro EV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range (WTLP) | 50kWh: 320km | 51kWh: 320km | 64.8kWh: 460km |
| 60kWh: 420km |
Dimensions
| BYD Atto 3 | MG ZS EV | Kia Niro EV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 2720mm | 2585mm | 2720mm |
| Length | 4455mm | 4314mm | 4420mm |
| Height | 1615mm | 1644mm | 1570mm |
| Width | 1875mm | 1809mm | 1825mm |
| Category (VFACTS) | Small SUV | Small SUV | Small SUV |
Charging speed
| BYD Atto 3 | MG ZS EV | Kia Niro EV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC fast charger | 50kW: N/A | 50kW: approx. 40 min. | 50kW: 1 hr 5 min. (10% – 80%) |
| 80kW: approx. 45 min. | — | 350kW: 43 min. (10% – 80%) | |
| AC standard charger | Max. capacity: 7kW | Max. capacity: 7kW | Max. capacity: 11kW |
| Approx. 8 hr 30 min. (230V, 7kW, 0% – 100%) | Approx. seven hours (230V, 7kW, 0% – 100%) | 6 hr 20 min. (230V, 11kW, 10% – 100%) |
NOTE: BYD and MG are yet to confirm full charging speed details for the Atto 3 and facelifted ZS EV, respectively. The preliminary data above was sourced from EVSE.
Charging Network
Public charging networks – including Chargefox, Evie, NRMA and Queensland Electric Highway – will be compatible with the Atto 3, ZS EV and Niro EV.
However, as more-affordable electric vehicles, the required technology to accomodate fast-charging stations above 100kW is not included in any vehicle.
For example, while it is possible to plug a 350kW DC charger in, the vehicle will only utilise its maximum DC charging capacity.
Each car features a CCS2 plug.
Features
All vehicles
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Adaptive cruise control |
| Reversing camera |
| LED headlights and tail lights. |
BYD Atto 3 (in addition to the shared features above)
| 12.8-inch rotating infotainment system |
| 5-inch digital instrument cluster |
| Panoramic sunroof |
| Built-in dashcam |
| 18-inch alloy wheels |
| Multi-colour configurable ambient lighting |
| Wireless phone charger |
| Portable card key. |
MG ZS EV (in addition to the shared features above)
| 10.1-inch infotainment system |
| Digital instrument cluster (further details TBC) |
| Satellite navigation |
| 17-inch alloy wheels |
| Panoramic sunroof (Essence) |
| Wireless phone charger (Essence). |
Australian versions of the Niro will include black upholstery only
Kia Niro EV (in addition to the shared features above)
| 8-inch (S) or 12.3-inch (GT-Line) infotainment system |
| 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster |
| 17-inch alloy wheels |
| Satellite navigation (GT-Line) |
| Head-up display (GT-Line) |
| Eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system (GT-Line) |
| 64-colour configurable ambient lighting (GT-Line) |
| Kia Connect (GT-Line) – remote open/close functionality, vehicle tracking, SOS call, voice control, charging station locator. |
Safety technology
All vehicles
| Autonomous emergency braking |
| Lane-keep assist |
| Lane departure warning |
| High-beam assist. |
BYD Atto 3 (in addition to the shared features above)
| Blind-spot alert |
| Rear-cross traffic alert |
| Door open warning |
| 360-degree camera. |
MG ZS EV (in addition to the shared features above)
| 360-degree camera. |
Rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot alert and rear-cross traffic alert are exclusive to the flagship Essence.
Kia Niro EV (in addition to the shared features above)
| Blind-spot alert |
| Rear-cross traffic alert |
| High-beam assist |
| Rear occupant alert |
| Blind-spot collision avoidance assist |
| Lead vehicle departure alert |
| Intelligent speed limit assist. |
Safe exit assist, rear autonomous emergency braking, and emergency SOS call via Kia Connect are exclusive to the flagship GT-Line.
Cargo space
Kia Niro EV
| BYD Atto 3 | MG ZS EV | Kia Niro EV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boot capacity | 440L | 359L | 475L |
| Front boot (frunk) capacity | N/A | N/A | 20L |
| Electric tailgate | Yes | No | GT-Line only |
Warranty and servicing
| BYD Atto 3 | MG ZS EV | Kia Niro EV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warranty coverage | Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre | Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre | Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre |
| Battery warranty | Seven-year/160,000-kilometre | Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre | Seven-year/150,000-kilometre |
| Servicing | Exact details to be announced; partnership with Mycar Tyre and Auto announced | Service required every 20,000km/24 months | Prepaid service packages available to purchase |
Which small electric SUV would you pick? Let us know in the comments below!
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Keyword: BYD Atto 3 v MG ZS EV v Kia Niro Electric: Pricing and features compared