2021 Kia Niro EV Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Kia Niro is a funky-yet-functional compact hatchback/crossover at an affordable price. The 2021 Kia Niro EV takes it a step further...

The Kia Niro is a funky-yet-functional compact hatchback/crossover at an affordable price. The 2021 Kia Niro EV takes it a step further with a fully electric powertrain that provides an estimated 239 miles of driving on a single charge. The battery components eat slightly into the cargo space, though it still provides a solid 53 cubic feet (18.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up).

The Niro features a 64-kilowatt-hour battery pack that sends power to a single electric motor at the front wheels. It makes 201 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque. The battery can be charged in about 9.5 hours using a Level 2 charger, which is commonly found in public or can be professionally installed at home. Using a simple Level 1 charger, it takes 2.5 days to top off the Niro EV. It’s also capable of DC fast charging, allowing it to reach 80% charge in around an hour and 15 minutes.

Two trims are offered for the Niro EV: EX and EX Premium. Standard features on the EX include 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. It also comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as remote start with cabin pre-heating or pre-cooling.

Moving up to the EX Premium adds a wireless phone charger, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, synthetic leather upholstery, and ventilated front seats. It also upgrades the infotainment system to a 10.25-inch touchscreen.

The Niro features some of the latest driver-assistance technologies from Kia’s DriveWise suite of equipment. This includes leading vehicle lane-departure alert and navigation-based smart cruise control that can follow the flow of traffic.

Base MSRP for the 2021 Kia Niro EV is $39,090 for the EX. The EX Premium starts at $44,650. The Niro EV is backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty for the motor and battery pack.