A Winning Formula
Kia makes it real simple for you. If you want a 2020 Niro you will be entering the world of electrification with either a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or battery electric. Clean Fleet Report went for the completely gasoline-free experience by driving the 2020 Kia Niro EV EX Premium, which we found is a functional crossover that also handles great and is plenty zippy.
Smooth Operator
There are four driver-selectable drive modes of Eco, Eco+, Normal and Sport, with Eco being the default setting. Eco is the compromise setting for range and responsiveness, while Sport mode is where the more spirited driving will be found.
When opting for Sport mode you get the full benefit of 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. Zero-to-60 times were around 6.8 seconds, but it felt faster because there is a serious fun factor that comes with being quick and fast. Doing it silently without any engine noise will bring a smile to your face. The acceleration from a stop was interesting, as there isn’t the typical G-Force feeling found in most EVs. The Niro EV ramps-up with controlled acceleration to about 30 mph, then kicks-in with a flourish. It is different from other EVs in how the torque is ready-and-able from zero miles per hour, but saves that burst once moving along. To finalize this point, while I was unable to spin the front tires on the Niro EV, I was able to call on the nearly 300 pound-feet of torque when needing to pass on the highway. So for a car that isn’t designed nor marketed as a sport crossover, Kia got it right.
To get the feel for the different drive modes, get out on the road at 40-60 mph, and go through the modes. You will notice the power increase and decrease between Eco, Eco+, Normal, and then Sport. Eco+ restricts the top sped to 60 mph for maximum electric conservation. When you really need a burst of power, it is a great feeling knowing that the sport mode is there waiting to modestly push you back in your seat.
The 2020 Kia Niro EV has an EPA estimated driving range of 239 miles, but when the Niro EV was launched new in 2019, Kia performed real-world tests that have delivered 275+ miles. Your range will completely depend on your driving style and where you live, but it is very possible you will not need to plug-in more than once a week, and your actual real world driving range will be closer to what Kia got in their testing versus the EPA estimate
In 229 miles of driving throughout Southern California, we averaged 4.0 miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is very efficient. The meter in the center dash cluster also told us our driving style was 88 percent Economical; 11 percent Normal and 1 percent Aggressive. Since Clean Fleet Report evaluates hard acceleration, we will ignore that last number and be very pleased with the pat on the back of how tidy we drove the Niro EV.
The liquid-cooled 64-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack is replenished through plug-in charging and regenerative braking. The regenerative charging system converts kinetic energy into electric energy when applying the brakes or coasting and stores it in the battery. This process can be viewed on the instrument cluster where you can watch the power flow into and out of the battery and motor.
The 2020 Kia Niro EV also has the ability for one pedal driving with the steering wheel mounted paddles that provide four different regeneration levels. By pulling on the left paddle the Niro can be brought to a complete stop, which means you do not need to depress the brake pedal. If you keep the paddle pulled tight, then push the Brake Hold button, the car will not creep; only moving when you release or step on the accelerator. One pedal driving is a good technique to increase regeneration to the battery, and presents a challenge to master–stopping without stepping on the brake pedal.
The three plug-in charge options can all be controlled by an app, where you can set the day and time of recharging. You can also press the EV button on the dash, located below the infotainment screen and next to the climate control buttons, to view the electric vehicle management center. There you can check your battery status, remaining range, driving consumption history and other details of the electric operation.
The 7.2-kW on-board charger delivers these charge times.
- 120V (Level 1) 2.5 days
- 240V (Level 2) 9.35 hours
- 480V DC Fast Charge at 50 kW 1.15 hours
- 480V DC Fast Charge at 100 kW 1 hour
About that Level 1 charge time of 2.5 days. Because the Niro EV has a huge 64-kWh battery, and the 120V input charges at a trickle, the battery replenishes at about 1-mile per hour. Suggestion: Invest in a Level 2 home charger and you can top-off your battery much quicker anytime you please.
Driving Experience: Easy To Live With
With a smooth and stable ride, the Niro EV’s 3,854 pounds feels solid and confident on the road. The low center of gravity, due to the 1,000-pound battery’s under-seat placement, resulted in planted driving dynamics. The Niro EV has excellent balance with predictable cornering. The motor-driven power steering was well-tuned for road feel, with maneuvering in town, especially parking, being easy with a very compact 17.5 foot running radius. Interior noise was low, in part, due to the 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 215/55 Michelin MXV4 all-season tires. This combination offered low rolling resistance that helped reduce noise being transmitted to the cabin.
That low center of gravity helps the 2020 Kia Niro EV take sweeping corners without too much of the expected body roll found in a compact crossover. However, push those turns too fast, as on a freeway off-ramp, and it becomes apparent that the Niro EV is best-suited for a calmer approach to the crooked parts of the road. The optional 18-inch alloy wheels and tires might add a bit more cornering grip.
The previously mentioned regenerative braking system has antilock brakes with four-wheel discs and brake assist. The stops were straight and true, but a little longer due to the skinny tires, and omitted a pleasant hybrid braking whine when stopping.
But what is that other noise when driving under 20 miles per hour? The sci-fi whirring noise, might be the closest thing you will get on earth to being transported to the Mos Eisley Cantina. Heard when driving slowly, the Pedestrian Warning System consists of a speaker mounted behind the front bumper, generating a futuristic sound so pedestrians have an idea the Niro EV is close by. Without it, there is no sound at all coming from this all-electric crossover. When driving through a parking lot, it is fun to see people turn their heads, with a quizzical look on their face, trying to figure-out what they are hearing. Good job, Kia, the system works perfectly.
Smooth Design: Out and In
The Niro EV has a few design cues different from its hybrid and plug-in siblings. Since there is no engine and need for an air intake, the front grille is closed off with a diamond patterned faceplate. Our test 2020 Kia Niro EV was painted Gravity Blue and had tasteful lighter blue accent trim on the lower front and rear fascias. Remember, except for in America, things that are ecologically sensitive are represented by the color blue, not green. The charge door is located in front, which is far more convenient than when placed on either fender.
Our Niro had the optional LED headlights and fog lamps, with LED daytime running lights in an arrowhead shaped design. The side profile draws a nice line from the nose to the A-pillar, leading to a gently sloping roof with rack rails, a shark fin antenna and an integrated spoiler over the rear hatch window. The horizontal LED taillights and smooth surfaced hatch finish off the attractive rear. Blue accents adorn the lower rear fascia, with a very demure “Eco electric” badge on the lower right corner of the hatch.
Climbing inside, the cabin will strike you as functional, if not fancy, which is a better combination than fancy, but confusing. The interior is very nicely put together with a combination of hard and soft plastic materials, piano black surfaces and tasteful blue top stitching that looked nice against the black seats, dash and steering wheel. The low profile, no-nonsense dash houses the 8.0-inch color touchscreen with navigation and Kia’s UVO eServices. The eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, with a subwoofer, plays AM/FM and Sirius/XM, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel had controls for audio, smartphone integration with Bluetooth and adaptive cruise control. Big thanks to Kia designers for the knobs and wheels to control the radio and automatic temperature control.
Trimmed in artificial leather, the heated (with three-levels) and ventilated front seats were comfortable and supportive with good thigh and side bolstering. The driver gets 10-way power adjustments with lumbar, while the passenger gets four-way manual adjustments. The center console is deep for storage, and has a sliding top for security. If you are visiting your Kia dealer at night, check-out the mood lighting (blue, yellow, white, and red) on the center console that comes on the EX Premium model. Wireless phone charging and push button start/stop were convenient features.
We like that the outlook on the road is higher than a sedan, with 6.1 inches of ground clearance, but not as high as a SUV. Even with the power sunroof, there is ample rear seat headroom for two six-footers. The rear passengers get a center armrest with cup holders, and HVAC vents, but no USB charge ports. If there are no passengers out back, fold down the 60/40 split rear seat and the storage area not only increases, but is ready to load cargo through the easy access large hatch opening. Plus, the near-flat load floor provides for extra cabin space and legroom.
Safety and Warranties
The Niro EV comes standard with an extensive, inclusive and impressive list of safety and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features. They include front, seat-mounted side, driver’s knee and full-length side curtain airbags, forward emergency braking and collision warning, stability control, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, front and rear parking, vehicle stability management, traction control, hill start assist, a tire pressure monitoring system, engine immobilizer, lane departure warning and rear cross traffic detection.
The 2020 Kia Niro EV comes with these warranties:
- Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles
- Battery – 10 years/150,000 or 100,000 miles (depending on state)
- Basic – Five years/60,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Five years/60,000 miles
- Corrosion – 10 years/Unlimited miles
Pricing
The 2020 Niro EV comes in two trim levels with these base prices, including the $1,120 destination charge.
EX $40,210
EX Premium $45,710
Clean Fleet Report’s 2020 Kia Niro EV EX Premium, with $2,360 in options, had a final MSRP of $47,455.
The Niro EV qualifies for federal tax credits and state rebates, and in some states, is eligible for a HOV sticker. The Niro EV is sold in the 12 Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) states: CA, CT, HI, GA, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OR, RI, TX, and WA.
Observations: 2020 Kia Niro EV EX Premium
Practical and affordable. Peppy and comfortable. Silent and smooth.
Kia is all-in with vehicle electrification, and Clean Fleet Report is glad they are. We have reviewed, and have been impressed with, all their hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles. The all-electric Niro EV provides the gasoline-free option to go 240+ miles between recharging. If that isn’t far enough, Clean Fleet Report recommends the Niro plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV), which operates both with gasoline and electricity, and offers excellent performance and driving range.
For versatility, ride, comfort, range, standard safety equipment and a great warranty, the 2020 Kia Niro EV is hard to beat. Before visiting your Kia dealer do some homework on the competitors and make an appointment to meet with a Kia factory trained electric vehicle specialist. One thing to note is that Kia electric vehicles still qualify for the federal government’s full $7,500 tax credit, while Chevrolet’s Bolt, and Tesla’s Models S, 3, X and Y don’t. This could be an important part of your purchase decision, so talk with your tax advisor for clarity on the federal and state (and local) credits.
Kia has built a well-done crossover that happens to be electric. If you can get your head around never, ever buying gasoline again, then the Niro EV may be the car for you.
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Whatever you buy, Happy Driving!
Story & photos by John Faulkner (some photos supplied by the manufacturer)
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Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
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