Let’s dive right in—the Kia Niro EV is one of those electric vehicles (EVs) that really does a lot of things well, but, you know, it’s got its little quirks, like anything else.
It’s comfy, super easy to drive, packed with cool features, and has a cargo space so big we put an entire broken-down Ikea cabinet in it and took it to the recycling centre without any trouble at all.
But before we get all excited about the good stuff, let’s talk about the exterior design.
Kia Niro EV: First Impressions and Exterior Styling
Okay, I’ll be totally honest—over the years, the look of the Kia Niro didn’t ever make me go “wow!” It’s not my cup of tea! The angular shape of the Niro has never won first place in the best-looking SUV/hatchback category. That said, there are some nice touches, like the LED heartbeat daytime running lights and the glossy grille that gives it a sleek finish. The 17-inch alloy wheels look good, and the rear spoiler adds a bit of a sporty vibe. Think of it as that friend who might not be runway-ready but absolutely CRUSHES it at everything that matters.
What’s really handy is the front grille charging port—it’s easy to get to and well-placed for quick plug-ins.
Inside the Kia Niro EV: Comfort, Tech, and Space
Step inside, and it’s a totally different story! The cabin is spacious, well-designed, and comfortable. The vegan leather seats are soft, the power-adjustable driver and passenger seats are fantastic, and the heated front and rear seats make winter mornings much nicer.
The 10.25-inch touchscreen is easy to use, and the digital driver’s display gives you all the info you need at a glance. The Kia Niro EV cargo space is incredibly generous, offering 475 liters with the seats up and a massive 1,392 liters with the seats folded down, perfect for family trips or hauling large items. And yes, I really did fit that whole Ikea cabinet in there. We’re talking Mary Poppins bag levels of storage magic.
Kia Niro EV Performance: Sport Mode and Driving Dynamics
The Kia Niro EV is smooth, quiet, and easy to drive. With 201 horsepower and 255Nm of torque, it accelerates quickly from a standstill, going from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds. But here’s the fun part—put it in Sport mode and it transforms faster than a TikTok outfit transition! One minute, you’re cruising eco-style, and the next minute, you’re living your Formula E fantasy as the throttle response sharpens and the steering becomes light and responsive, making it suddenly feel a lot more energetic.
If you’re someone who loves natural light pouring into your space, then you’ll appreciate the tilt-and-slide sunroof. It opens up the cabin beautifully, making the car feel brighter, more spacious, and fresh, even on greyer days. There’s something calming about that extra bit of daylight streaming in, and it really elevates the feel of the interior. My daughter was completely mesmerised—she spent a good chunk of our driving time staring up at the sky, spotting birds and planes, which helped keep her calm and entertained on longer journeys.
The Niro EV comes with an integrated 6-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, which delivers clear, rich, and balanced audio. Whether you’re playing mellow road trip vibes or cranking up your driving playlist, the system keeps the sound crisp and immersive throughout the cabin. It’s ideal for anyone who likes a bit of a soundtrack to their journey.
This electric car also benefits from adaptive cruise control, which is smooth and responsive… almost too responsive when someone cuts in front of you across lanes. It reacts instantly, which is great for safety, but can feel a bit jumpy if you weren’t expecting it.
Kia Niro EV Range and Charging: Real-World Testing
The Kia Niro EV has a range of up to 285 miles (and up to 375 miles in city driving), enough to road trip from London to Paris with juice to spare, which is plenty for most trips. I had the car for 7 days and only topped up once. Charging is straightforward:
- 7.2kW home charger – 9 hours 25 mins
- 100kW rapid charger – 45 mins (10-80%)
- 300kW ultra-rapid charger – 43 mins
The Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature is cool— using the car’s battery, you can power small appliances, from hairdryers to laptops and everything in between, using the 3-pin UK standard plug. Super handy for road trips!
The wireless phone charging is great—no cables needed! But Android Auto? That’s wired only. I would have preferred wireless Android Auto, because once I plugged in my Honor Magic 6 Pro phone via the wire, it didn’t fit properly in the front space designed for it. A bit of a shame, really.
Kia Niro EV: Who Is It For?
If you need a practical, tech-packed, easy-to-live-with Electric Car, the Kia Niro EV is a solid choice. I really liked this car, and I thoroughly enjoyed the drive and let’s not forget Kia includes a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty as standard, which is also transferable to new owners at no extra cost—a reassuring touch for long-term peace of mind. You might also want to consider the Kia EV6
Final Verdict
Spacious & practical Sport mode makes it feel quick Massive cargo space (Ikea cabinet approved) Loads of tech & safety features
Exterior design isn’t for everyone Wired Android Auto is a letdown
For more information, visit www.kia.com/uk
