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). In fact, the electric e-Niro outscores the regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid Niro by a whopping 20%.
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 has been a lengthy waiting list, but Kia claims to have brought this under control in recent months.
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Power: electric
Price: From £34,995*
Launched: Spring 2019
Last updated: –
Replacement due: TBA
*price includes £3,000 government plug-in car grant
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MEDIA REVIEWS
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media

Auto Express
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: 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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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?
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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Which?
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The e-Niro genuinely ushers in a new era of electric transport, firmly allaying range anxiety fears while offering very low running costs and zero tailpipe emissions. It makes a very good case for itself as eco-friendly family transport.” Rated a BEST BUY.
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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
2021
- What Car? Awards – Best Small Electric Car for Long Journeys
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
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
DS 3 Crossback E-Tense | Hyundai Kona Electric | Hyundai Ioniq Electric | Kia Soul EV | Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid | Nissan Leaf | Peugeot e-2008 | Tesla Model 3 | Volkswagen ID.3 | Volvo XC40 Recharge