Kia e-Niro - TopCarNews

Kia e-Niro (2019 – present) | Expert Rating

Summary

The Kia e-Niro is a fully electric small-ish SUV/crossover, based on the conventionally-powered Kia Niro model.

According to Kia’s official figures, the e-Niro is capable of covering 282 miles on a single charge. Based on independent research conducted by What Car? into the sister Hyundai Kona Electric model, this is likely to translate to a real-world driving figure of about 250 miles.

The Kia e-Niro has received consistently good to very good reviews from the UK motoring media and continues to win awards despite challenges from newer rivals.

As of December 2021, the e-Niro has an Expert Rating of 84% based on 22 reviews. In fact, the electric e-Niro outscores the regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid Niro by a whopping 22%.

The e-Niro has received particular praise for its comfort and practicality, but most of all for providing an electric car that would suit the needs of the vast majority of UK drivers.

An all-new Kia Niro range, including a replacement for the e-Niro, was unveiled in November 2021. It is expected to arrive in the UK in the second half of 2022.

Key specifications

Body style: Small-medium SUV/crossoverPower: electric motor, battery-powered
Price: From £30,345*

*price includes £2,500 government plug-in car grant

Launched: Spring 2019Last updated: Spring 2021
Replacement due: Autumn 2022

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Mid Range 2021Score: 8 / 10“This new Kia e-Niro Mid Range 39kWh model is the most affordable e-Niro yet. It offers the same easy, relaxing driving experience as the bigger 64kWh battery model, while you don’t have to compromise too much when it comes to performance.”
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Model reviewed: ‘4’Score: 8 / 10“The Kia e-Niro is still one of our favourite electric cars, especially with the revamped infotainment of the latest model. Its efficiency is hugely impressive and it does the everyday family car things well. More rivals are coming, though, not least from within Kia’s own family.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“The Kia e-Niro is the best do-it-all EV in its class, with practicality, performance and range all in its favour.”
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Auto Trader

Score: 8 / 10“The size and range of the e-Niro, along with its reasonable price, make it a very tempting package that could sway some reluctant folk towards electric motoring.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 39kWh 2021Score: 7 / 10“Still competitive, but the e-Niro feels distinctly ordinary without the 64kWh battery’s generous range.”
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Model reviewed: 64kWhScore: 9 / 10“If you’re homing in on a family-sized electric crossover, frankly you’re crazy if you don’t do the Kia deal. This is still the best practical electric car proposition going – for the performance (0-60mph in 7.8sec), for the range (accurately claimed at 282 miles) and for that seven-year warranty.”
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Model reviewed: 150kW First Edition 64kWh 5dr AutoScore: 9 / 10“Even with a half-tonne battery between the axles, the e-Niro can deliver hot hatchback performance, sound body control and nearly 300 miles of range.”
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Car

Score: 8 / 10“The new VW ID.3 gives strong competition, but the Kia e-Niro is still one of the better electric cars you can buy at the affordable end of the spectrum. Decent to drive, well-equipped, well-built and with more than enough range to satisfy most people’s needs, there’s a lot to like about this car.”
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Carbuyer

Score: 9 / 10“The Kia e-Niro might just be the most complete electric family car yet produced.”
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Carwow

Score: 8 / 10“The Kia e-Niro is a stylish looking, well-equipped electric SUV, with a big boot and a range of more than 280 miles. It looks a bit expensive compared with other electric cars though.”
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Company Car Today

Score: 8.2 / 10“The Kia e-Niro boosts the logical and financial case for EVs and is a practical and well-equipped car to live with. It’s just a shame about the long wait to get hold of one.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: 64 kWh First Edition“While it might not have the premium feel to go into battle with these £60,000-plus luxury vehicles, the £33,000 version I’ve been driving has all the artillery to become a worthy zero-emissions option for British car buyers wanting to ditch petrol and diesel.”
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Green Car Guide

Score: 10 / 10“The Kia e-Niro has an official 282-mile WLTP electric driving range, a practical, compact crossover-style body, and it’s relatively affordable: it’s another game changer from the rapidly progressing Hyundai & Kia corporations.”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“If the Kia e-Niro won’t fit in with your family life, no electric car will. It’s good to drive, has a very practical cabin and will travel more than 250 miles between charges. The dependability of the Kia badge should give you the confidence to make your first steps into electric car ownership, too.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: First EditionScore: 10 / 10“Desirable electric crossover SUV. Very spacious. Impressive 282-mile range. Seven-year warranty.”
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Model reviewed: 64kWh First Edition“We’re getting used to electric cars now. Tesla showed us that they could have a sensible range for everyday use. Renault/Nissan and BMW offer a good choice of electric cars and vans. Kia knew that just another electric car wouldn’t make the headlines. So it came up with a better one that doesn’t just remove ‘range anxiety’, it puts a smile on your face.”
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Parkers

Score: 9.2 / 10“Game-changing SUV combines long EV range with family-friendly practicality”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 64kWh First EditionScore: 8 / 10“Pure-electric Kia torpedoes range anxiety and reliability fears in one shot.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: First EditionScore: 10 / 10“An affordable electric car that all but eliminates range anxiety. But more than that, the e-Niro is comfortable, quiet, spacious, easy to use, well equipped and genuinely good to drive. No wonder the waiting lists are so long.”
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Top Gear

“Its critical cost-to-range ratio is this: £32,995 after subsidy, and 282 miles on the WLTP cycle. Which is very strong.”
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What Car?

Score: 10 / 10“The Kia e-Niro pulls off a trick that many newer electric cars still fail to do, and that’s being a fantastic electric car – one with a long range – as well as a good car full stop. It offers decent practicality, excellent performance, a comfortable ride, tidy handling and plenty of equipment.”
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Which?

“The e-Niro genuinely ushers in a new era of electric transport, firmly allaying range anxiety fears while offering very low running costs and zero tailpipe emissions. It makes a very good case for itself as eco-friendly family transport.” Rated a BEST BUY.
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Safety rating

No safety rating

The Kia e-Niro has not yet been awarded a safety rating by Euro NCAP.

The equivalent model in the regular Niro range was rated five stars in 2016 (top spec models include optional safety equipment), but the e-Niro’s electric motor and battery layout instead of a regular engine and fuel tank mean that the rating for the standard model does not automatically apply to the e-Niro.

If and when Euro NCAP tests the e-Niro, we will update this page accordingly.

Eco rating

No eco rating

The Kia e-Niro has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP, and only a few cars have do far been assessed.

The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the e-Niro is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Kia e-Niro has received

2021

What Car? Awards – Best Small Electric Car for Long Journeys
Fleet World Awards – Best EV Small SUV
Business Motoring Awards – Best Company Car
What Car? EV Awards – Best Electric Small SUV

2020

What Car? Awards – Best Small Electric Car over £35K
Company Car Today 100 Awards – Electric Car of the Year
Fleet News Awards – Best Zero Emission Car
What Car? Electric Car Awards – Best Electric Family SUV
DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Medium Electric Car

2019

Auto Express Awards – Affordable Electric Car of the Year
What Car? Awards – Car of the Year + Best Electric Car
Northern Group of Motoring Writers’ Awards – Northern Car of the Year
carwow Awards – Eco Award

2018

DrivingElectric Awards – Electric Car of the Year + Best Compact Electric Car

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