Summary
The Kia e-Niro was a fully electric small-ish SUV/crossover, based on the regular Kia Niro model. It was launched in the UK in 2019, and was a very popular (and highly rated) small electric SUV throughout its production life until it was replaced by the second-generation Kia Niro EV in 2022.
According to Kia’s official figures, the e-Niro was capable of covering 282 miles on a single charge. Based on independent research conducted by What Car? into the sister Hyundai Kona Electric model (which used the same electric motor and battery), this translated to a real-world driving figure of about 250 miles.
The Kia e-Niro received consistently good to very good reviews from the UK motoring media and continued to win awards right through its production cycle despite challenges from newer rivals.
The e-Niro received particular praise for its comfort and practicality, but most of all for providing an electric car that suited the needs of the vast majority of UK drivers.
As of October 2024, the Kia e-Niro holds a Used Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 70%. It scores top marks for its sparkling media review scores and zero tailpipe emissions. The only caveat to this rating is that we don’t have a safety score, as the e-Niro was never tested by Euro NCAP, and we don’t yet have reliability data.
- Kia Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid (2016 to 2022) – Expert Rating
- More Kia Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
Key specifications
Body style: Small-medium SUV/crossover
Power: electric motor, battery-powered
Price when new: From £32,895
Launched: Spring 2019
Last updated: Spring 2021
Replaced: Summer 2022
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Mid Range 2021
Score: 8 / 10
“This new Kia e-Niro Mid Range 39kWh model is the most affordable e-Niro yet. It offers the same easy, relaxing driving experience as the bigger 64kWh battery model, while you don’t have to compromise too much when it comes to performance.”
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Model reviewed: ‘4’
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia e-Niro is still one of our favourite electric cars, especially with the revamped infotainment of the latest model. Its efficiency is hugely impressive and it does the everyday family car things well. More rivals are coming, though, not least from within Kia’s own family.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
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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Auto Trader
Score: 8 / 10
“The size and range of the e-Niro, along with its reasonable price, make it a very tempting package that could sway some reluctant folk towards electric motoring.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 39kWh 2021
Score: 7 / 10
“Still competitive, but the e-Niro feels distinctly ordinary without the 64kWh battery’s generous range.”
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Model reviewed: 64kWh
Score: 9 / 10
“If you’re homing in on a family-sized electric crossover, frankly you’re crazy if you don’t do the Kia deal. This is still the best practical electric car proposition going – for the performance (0-60mph in 7.8sec), for the range (accurately claimed at 282 miles) and for that seven-year warranty.”
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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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Car
Score: 8 / 10
“The new VW ID.3 gives strong competition, but the Kia e-Niro is still one of the better electric cars you can buy at the affordable end of the spectrum. Decent to drive, well-equipped, well-built and with more than enough range to satisfy most people’s needs, there’s a lot to like about this car.”
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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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Carwow
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia e-Niro is a stylish looking, well-equipped electric SUV, with a big boot and a range of more than 280 miles. It looks a bit expensive compared with other electric cars though.”
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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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Discover EV
Model reviewed: 64kWh First Edition
Score: 10 / 10
“The Kia e-Niro brings an exciting proposition to the electric car segment – stylish, well-equipped, practical and with a range of more than 280 miles. This is an electric car you can own without having to make any compromises.”
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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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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“If the Kia e-Niro won’t fit in with your family life, no electric car will. It’s good to drive, has a very practical cabin and will travel more than 250 miles between charges. The dependability of the Kia badge should give you the confidence to make your first steps into electric car ownership, too.”
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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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Move Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“As an affordable way to buy and run a practical family EV, the Kia e-Niro is virtually unrivalled. It’s also easy and relaxing to drive, comfortable and very well-equipped. Factor in that excellent range and it’s hard to find fault with excellent e-Niro.” (James Disdale)
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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?
Score: 10 / 10
“The Kia e-Niro pulls off a trick that many newer electric cars still fail to do, and that’s being a fantastic electric car – one with a long range – as well as a good car full stop. It offers decent practicality, excellent performance, a comfortable ride, tidy handling and plenty of equipment.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Kia e-Niro was not awarded a safety rating by Euro NCAP during its production life.
The equivalent model in the regular Niro range was rated five stars in 2016 (top spec models include optional safety equipment), and the e-Niro carried all the same safety equipment as the regular Niro models. However, the e-Niro’s electric motor and battery layout – instead of a regular engine and fuel tank – meant that the rating for the standard model did not apply to the e-Niro.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Kia e-Niro was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the e-Niro would almost certainly have scored very highly in Green NCAP testing if it had ever taken place.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of October 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Kia e-Niro to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the e-Niro, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data yet
Due to its age, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Kia e-Niro.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Kia e-Niro has received
2024
- What Car? Used Car Awards – Best Used Electric SUV
2023
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Used Family Electric Car
2022
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Used Family Electric Car
- EV Fleet World Awards – Best EV Small SUV
2021
- What Car? Awards – Best Small Electric Car for Long Journeys
- Fleet World Awards – Best EV Small SUV
- Business Motoring Awards – Best Company Car
- What Car? EV Awards – Best Electric Small SUV
2020
- What Car? Awards – Best Small Electric Car over £35K
- Company Car Today 100 Awards – Electric Car of the Year
- Fleet News Awards – Best Zero Emission Car
- What Car? Electric Car Awards – Best Electric Family SUV
- DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Medium Electric 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
- carwow Awards – Eco Award
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
Audi e-tron | Audi Q4 e-tron | Citroën ë-C4 | DS 3 Crossback E-Tense | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Hyundai Kona Electric | Kia EV6 | Kia Soul EV | Mazda MX-30 | MG ZS EV | Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid | Nissan Leaf | Peugeot e-2008 | Polestar 2 | Skoda Enyaq | Tesla Model 3 | Vauxhall Mokka Electric | Volkswagen ID.4 | Volvo XC40 Recharge
- Kia Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid (2016 to 2022) – Expert Rating
- More Kia ratings, reviews, news and features
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Kia Niro family at The Car Expert
Buy a Kia e-Niro
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