Yahoo Autos 2019 Kia Niro EV Completes the Lineup with a Specialty Green Model
For Kia, the Niro is the specialty green model, as Prius is at Toyota-or its Ioniq sibling is to Hyundai. The Niro already is available as a hybrid and as a plug-in hybrid; now comes the electric version, the Kia Niro EV, to complete the triumvirate.
Although the Niro is a kin to the Ioniq, the EV model's battery and electric motor are more robust-they're closely related to the hardware found in the newer Hyundai Kona Electric. The electric motor spins out 201 horsepower-exactly matching that of the Kona Electric-along with 291 lb-ft of torque. The 64.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack under the floor also mirrors that in the Kona and offers a range of 239 miles.
The Niro comes standard with a CCS DC fast-charging setup, which can refill the battery to 80 percent in 75 minutes; just 30 minutes adds approximately 100 miles of range. Using a 240-volt Level 2 charger, it takes roughly 9.5 hours to refill a depleted battery.
Kia lets the driver choose among four levels of regenerative braking via a steering-wheel-mounted paddle, including a brake-and-hold feature that allows the paddle to bring the car to a full stop. Additionally, a Smart Regen system can adjust the level of brake regeneration automatically in reaction to a vehicle ahead slowing down.
The Niro EV can be distinguished from the other Niro models by its revised front fascia with a closed-off grille, lower air intake with blue accents, and "arrowhead" graphic in the LED daytime running lights. Blue accents also appear on the rear bumper, and the 17-inch wheels are a special aerodynamic design.
The Niro EV will be offered in two trim levels, EX and EX Premium. It arrives stateside in early 2019 and will be priced starting around $38,000 before incentives.
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