The Kia e-Niro is a fully-electric medium-sized 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 has already won a few awards (with more likely as the year progresses). Most of the reviews posted so are based on driving the car in South Korea, but we will keep updating this page as UK reviews are posted, including our own road test.
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. In fact, the only real criticism levelled at the car is the fact that the waiting list for a new Kia e-Niro is about a year, which is severely limiting its potential sales.
More Kia news, reviews, features and offers
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Power: electric
Price: From £32,995*
Launched: Spring 2019
Last updated: –
Replacement due: TBA
*price includes £3,500 government plug-in car grant
MEDIA REVIEWS
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 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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Autocar
Model reviewed: 150kW First Edition 64kWh 5dr Auto
Score: 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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Model reviewed: e-Niro 64kWh
Score: 8 / 10
“The e-Niro proposition is more compelling than the execution, but it is some proposition and one that moves the game on. On the cost-range continuum, there’s nothing to touch it.”
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Car
Score: 8 / 10
“With its genuine 300-mile capability and useful, modern technology, the E-Niro feels like the new normal.”
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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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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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Honest John
Model reviewed: First Edition
Score: 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 Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“Pure-electric Kia torpedoes range anxiety and reliability fears in one shot.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: First Edition
Score: 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?
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 10 / 10
“The Kia e-Niro pulls off a trick that many electric cars have thus far failed to do, and that’s to be a fantastic electric car – one with a long range – as well as a good car in other respects.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
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
Independent emissions and efficiency ratings from Green NCAP
The Kia e-Niro has not yet been tested by Green NCAP. Check back soon.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Kia e-Niro has received
2020
- WhatCar? Awards – Best Small Electric Car over £35K
- Company Car Today 100 Awards – Electric Car of the Year
- Fleet News Awards – Best Zero Emission 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
2018
- DrivingElectric Awards – Electric Car of the Year + Best Compact Electric Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Kia e-Niro, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Hyundai Kona Electric | Hyundai Ioniq Electric | Kia Soul EV | Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid | Nissan Leaf | Tesla Model 3 | Volkswagen e-Golf