If you’re looking for an affordable crossover that delivers exceptional fuel economy, you should include the 2022 Kia Niro EV in your shortlist. Despite being an all-electric vehicle, this subcompact SUV offers an engaging driving experience with its lively powertrain and agile handling. It also features bold exterior styling, a refined cabin, and a generous list of standard amenities. Check out this detailed overview of the latest Kia Niro EV to determine whether it’s the right SUV for you.
Trim Levels and Prices
Image via Flickr by steevithak
The 2022 Kia Niro EV is available in two trim levels: EX and EX Premium. The EX has a base manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $39,990, while the EX Premium starts at $44,650. However, buying an all-electric vehicle makes you eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500, which significantly reduces the overall cost of your purchase.
Performance
The 2022 Kia Niro EV is equipped with a potent electric motor that generates 201 horsepower no matter which trim you choose. Mated to a single-speed automatic transmission, this motor gives the crossover swift and smooth acceleration and ample power for passing and merging with highway traffic. Front-wheel drive is the only drivetrain available.
If you frequently drive in an urban area, this Kia model is the ideal vehicle for you. Due to its small size and quick steering, it’s a cinch to maneuver in confined situations such as crowded traffic, narrow lanes, and parking lots. It also yields a comfortable ride, absorbing even larger bumps and dips easily. While it’s great for city driving, the SUV won’t disappoint on a long-distance trip. It’s a highly agile vehicle that feels stable at highway speeds and sure-footed around turns and on winding roads.
Fuel Economy and Range
The most impressive aspect of the 2022 Kia Niro EV is its excellent fuel efficiency. Rated at 112 mpg-equivalent, this crossover comes with a 64-kWh battery pack that enables it to travel 239 miles on a full charge. That’s above average for an electric vehicle at its price point.
The charging time of the Niro EV varies depending on the type of charger you use. If you plug the SUV into a 120-volt power outlet, you can fully recharge it in about two and a half days. A 240-volt outlet or a Level 2 charging station cuts the charging time to nine hours and 30 minutes, while a Level 3 DC fast-charging station can replenish 80% of the battery in just one hour and 15 minutes.
Exterior
The new Kia Niro EV looks stylish and handsome, but it also comes with several well-thought-out exterior features that provide practical functions. Since it doesn’t need air intake, the crossover has a more aerodynamic grille than its gasoline-powered siblings. The grille contributes to a sleek appearance and houses the charging port and a pair of aggressive projector-beam headlamps.
Along the sides, this Kia SUV has heated exterior mirrors that can disperse fog and melt away frost and ice to help you see better in bad weather. Additionally, it comes standard with solar glass to keep sunlight out for a cooler cabin and roof rails for transporting large items such as a canoe or bicycle.
Interior
On the inside, the 2022 Kia Niro EV features a modern and cohesive design that aptly complements its exterior styling. The cabin is sturdy and has aesthetically pleasing leather accents that contribute to an upscale vibe.
Up to five people can sit in this two-row SUV. The front seats have 40.1 inches of headroom and 41.7 inches of legroom, which can accommodate even tall occupants comfortably. The rear seats are also adult-friendly, offering 37.7 inches of headroom and 36 inches of legroom. Besides being spacious, the seats are supportive and cushy enough to keep everybody happy on long drives.
Even if you choose the base EX trim, the Kia Niro EV boasts an impressive list of standard comfort and convenience features. You’ll enjoy a 10-way power driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar support that can help reduce stress after a long day’s work. Also, you can turn on the heated front seats to beat the chill in the winter months. Other notable standard features include SynTex seating surfaces, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button, remote start, and keyless entry. The EX Premium adds ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a sunroof.
Cargo Capacity
If you frequently need to haul a large amount of cargo, you’ll be glad to know that the Kia Niro EV has an expansive cargo hold. This crossover offers 18.5 cubic feet of storage space behind the back seats and 53 cubic feet with those seats folded down. That’s enough for stowing your family’s luggage on a road trip, dozens of grocery bags, or even a bicycle.
Infotainment and Safety Features
The 2022 Kia Niro EV provides excellent in-vehicle connectivity and entertainment with its user-friendly and feature-rich infotainment system. Regardless of whether you opt for the EX or EX Premium, you’ll get a large 10.2-inch touch-screen display, a USB port, a wireless device charger, voice command, navigation, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
In addition, the SUV has a wide array of driver-assistance technologies to improve your situational awareness and minimize your risk of accidents, such as forward-collision alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, automatic high-beam headlamps, and adaptive cruise control. Also included are lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot detection, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a rear-seat reminder, and a driver-drowsiness warning. The EX Premium further adds Highway Driving Assist, a semi-autonomous driving technology.
If you live in Corinth, Texas, and want to know whether the 2022 Kia Niro EV can meet your expectations, consider stopping by Huffines Kia Corinth for a test drive. No matter which trim level or paint color you prefer, you can find a model at our dealership that fits you perfectly. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.