2023 Kia Niro EV Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a reviewPros
Stylish design
Spacious
Great warranty
Cons
Fairly pedestrian performance
All-wheel drive not available
The redesigned Niro EV brings added style to the entry-level EV segment.
The 2023 Kia Niro enters its second generation with fresh styling and numerous mechanical and tech updates, but it still offers a choice of three powertrains, with the Niro Hybrid, Niro EV, and Niro PHEV plug-in hybrid all returning for 2023. That means a change in focus for the all-electric Niro EV, which is the subject of this review.
The first-generation Niro EV was Kia’s first mass-market electric car not based on an existing gasoline model (the Soul EV paved the way for it). But the redesigned 2023 Kia Niro EV now shares the lineup with the Kia EV6. That model takes aim at more premium EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Nissan Ariya, leaving the Niro EV to compete with entry-level models, such as the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV, Volkswagen ID.4, and Nissan’s Leaf.
Available in all 50 states, the 2023 Niro EV launches in whimsically named Wind and Wave trim levels. We spent some time in the higher-level Wave version for this review.
The new Niro EV is virtually indistinguishable from the Niro Hybrid and PHEV models, but that means it gets styling features that help it stand out from other entry-level EVs.
Instead of conventional headlights flanking a grille, both elements are divided into two segments. Standard LED daytime running lights frame a spaghettified version of Kia’s signature “Tiger Nose” grille, with a larger grille and block-like lighting elements containing the headlights and optional fog lamps, below. EV models get 17-inch alloy wheels, as opposed to the standard 16-inch wheels and optional 18-inch wheels on the Niro Hybrid and PHEV models.
Another subtle difference on the Niro EV is the location of the charge port. Instead of being on the driver’s side front fender, as in the Niro PHEV, it’s located smack dab in the middle of the front fascia, between the upper and lower grille sections. That means it will be easy to pull into a charging station and plug in without having to back in or stretch the cable to the far end of the car, which you sometimes have to do with charge ports located on the sides of a vehicle.
At the rear, 2023 Niro models get tall, boomerang-like vertical taillights and vents that Kia calls “Air Blades.” Highlighted by available contrasting body cladding, they allow air to flow more efficiently around the body sides, the automaker claims, contributing to a 0.29 coefficient of drag (Cd). That’s not very impressive by EV standards; the VW ID.4 has a 0.25 Cd, for example (lower numbers are better). But the Niro EV’s more upright shape, which likely creates more drag, is a nice contrast to the pod-like silhouettes of the ID.4 and most other small EVs.
The Niro EV isn’t based on the same E-GMP platform as the Kia EV6 or its cousins, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Genesis GV60. That’s because, while E-GMP is a dedicated EV platform, the Niro still needed to accommodate hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains utilizing gasoline engines. Instead, the Niro rides on a platform designated K3, which Kia says is distinct from the N3 platform used by other recent models like the Sportage crossover SUV.
Like the exterior, the interior has a more creative design than the previous-generation Niro. A crescent-shaped dashboard nicely integrates the screens, while the door panels curve towards, and blend into, the dash. Kia also used more sustainable materials, including recycled wallpaper for the headliner and eucalyptus leaves for the seats, but still couldn’t avoid the ugly piano black plastic every other automaker seems obsessed with. That glare-producing, easily dirtied material is at least vegan, along with the rest of the interior, according to Kia.
The Niro EV has a 64.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a single electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. For comparison, the Niro Hybrid is rated at 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, while the Niro PHEV is rated at 180 hp and 195 lb-ft. As with the previous generation, all 2023 Niro models are front-wheel drive (FWD).
Kia says the Niro EV will do 0-62 mph in 7.8 seconds, which isn’t much to brag about, but is still a couple of seconds quicker than the manufacturer’s estimates for the Niro Hybrid and Niro PHEV models. The difference seemed even greater from behind the steering wheel, with the Niro EV’s added low-end torque shoving it off the line, and the extra horsepower coming into play at higher speeds.
The Niro EV is a case study in the advantages of all-electric powertrains. Its power delivery was much smoother than the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, while the silent electric motor added a level of refinement that was missing from those versions. The handling of the EV seemed better as well, with a more planted feel than the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.
Compared to other entry-level EVs, the Niro lacks the nimble feel of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV, and the VW ID.4’s added level of refinement. It provided a pleasant driving experience but doesn’t raise the bar for EV handling or ride quality.
The Niro EV offers more headroom and legroom than the Chevy Bolt EV/EUV and Nissan Leaf for both front-seat and rear-seat occupants. It also has slightly more legroom in both rows than the VW ID.4, but the VW has more headroom across the two rows.
It’s a similar story with cargo space. At 22.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 63.7 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear bench down, the Niro EV has more cargo space than the Bolt EV/EUV, but less than the the ID.4. The Nissan Leaf offers a bit more cargo space with the rear seats up, but much less with the rear seats down. Kia did include a small storage compartment under the hood, but it’s just a plastic box, not a true frunk like what you get from the likes of Tesla.
As with the other 2023 Niro variants, in-cabin storage space is limited. The door pockets are too shallow to secure water bottles, and the narrow center console necessitated a fairly small storage bins. Kia did find room for large cupholders and a decent-sized phone tray, and you won’t have to awkwardly reach to retrieve your phone because Kia swapped the shift lever used in the Niro Hybrid and PHEV for a dial-like shifter that’s flush with the center console.
The Niro EV gets a standard 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as SiriusXM satellite radio and a Harman Kardon audio system.
This appears to be the same touchscreen used in other recent Kia products, and it works just as well here. The screen responded quickly to inputs and featured appealing graphics. The only blemish is the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which most other brands offer.
The 2023 Niro also gets the same touch control panel as the recently-redesigned Kia Sportage. The reconfigurable panel replaces most analog controls, handling everything from audio volume to climate controls. But you have to toggle between different functions to use them. This means, for example, that the driver can’t adjust the volume while the front passenger adjusts the temperature.
Like other 2023 Niro models, the Niro EV also gets Digital Key 2.0 functionality. A feature shared with sibling brands Hyundai and Genesis, it lets drivers use their devices in place of a standalone key fob. But, for now, the Niro’s version is only compatible with the Apple Watch or recent iPhone and Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
Standard driver-assist features on the base Wind trim level include forward collision warning (with pedestrian detection), automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, a driver attention monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, rear occupant alert, and blind-spot collision avoidance for pulling out of parallel parking spaces. The Wave model adds parking sensors and the Remote Smart Parking Assist automated parking system.
Both trim levels also get standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and navigation-based curve prediction and Highway Driving Assist. Shared with Hyundai and Genesis, this adds automated lane centering, allowing the car to control acceleration steering, and braking on highways. But it’s not a hands-free system like the Super Cruise system available on the Chevrolet Bolt EUV. It’s closer in functionality to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist or Volkswagen’s Travel Assist.
A more advanced Highway Driving Assist II version is optional on the Niro EV Wave, adding automated lane-change capability and machine learning, which can adapt the system’s response to match individual driving styles, Kia claims.
Crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are not available for this newly redesigned model.
Kia is aiming for 253 miles of range, but that hadn’t been confirmed with an official EPA fuel economy rating at the time of publication. That would be a competitive figure, however, and Kia will offer an optional heat pump and battery warmer to help maintain maximum range in cold weather and minimize time at the charger.
The Niro EV DC fast charges at a relatively low power level of 85 kilowatts, requiring 45 minutes to go from a 10% to 80% charge, according to Kia. Using a Level 2 AC source, the Niro EV maxes out at 11 kW and can fully recharge in seven hours, per Kia’s estimate. The Wave trim level adds vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing the vehicle to discharge power to run tools and other electrical devices.
Like other Kia new car models, the Niro EV gets a 10-year, 100,000-mile, powertrain warranty and five-year, 60,000-mile, limited warranty.
Kia hasn’t confirmed pricing for the 2023 Niro EV, but expect an increase over the 2022 model’s $41,245 base price. The automaker has confirmed that the Niro EV won’t qualify for the revised federal EV tax credit because it’s assembled in South Korea.
While it brings appealing style to the affordable end of the EV market, the 2023 Kia Niro EV doesn’t set new standards for range, tech, or driving dynamics. It’s also an unfortunate time for Kia to be repositioning the Niro EV as an entry-level model.
The 2023 Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt EV both start under $30,000, while VW is preparing a cheaper version of its ID.4 that will start at just under $40,000. Chevy has also announced a $30,000 base price for its Equinox EV, although the cheapest version likely won’t start shipping to dealerships until 2024. That makes the old Niro EV’s base price look uncompetitive, so pricing for the new model will be key to its value equation.
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2023 Kia Niro EV Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Pandora internet radio · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: rear · Autonomous lane guidance: lane centering · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Footwell lights: color-adjustable · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): USB-C front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 10.65
Engine
EV on-board charger rating: 11 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 201 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 150 · Electric Motor Torque: 188 · Electric motor charger: DC fast charging · Electric motor charging time (120V): 59 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 253
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: black · Door handle color: body-color · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: black · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Skid plate(s): front · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
EV battery capacity: 65 kWh
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 10.25 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 10.25 in. · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: automatic high beam dimmer · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rails: black
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash · Traffic sign recognition: adaptive speed limiting
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth · Upholstery accents: leatherette
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 13.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Kia Access · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer · Solar-tinted glass: front
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Pandora internet radio · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Foot pedal trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: rear · Autonomous lane guidance: lane centering · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Footwell lights: color-adjustable · Memorized settings: liftgate · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Remote parking assist: key fob operated · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 10.65
Engine
EV on-board charger rating: 11 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 201 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 150 · Electric Motor Torque: 188 · Electric motor charger: DC fast charging · Electric motor charging time (120V): 59 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 253
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: black · Door handle color: body-color with chrome accents · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: accent surround · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: black · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Skid plate(s): front · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
EV battery capacity: 65 kWh
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 10.25 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 10.25 in. · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass · Roof rails: black
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: intersection/junction turn · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: intersection/junction turn · Rear pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash · Traffic sign recognition: adaptive speed limiting
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: perforated
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Steering
Steering ratio: 13.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Kia Access · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer · Solar-tinted glass: front