Yahoo Autos 2019 Kia Niro EV Priced Just under $40,000
UPDATE 5/1/2019: Kia released pricing for the 2019 Niro EV, which is sold only to residents in 12 states (more details below). The EX is $39,495-a full 10 grand above a base Niro Plug-in Hybrid-and comes one way without any options. The EX Premium starts at $44,995. That makes the Niro EV $1500 more expensive than the mechanically identical 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric which claims another 19 miles of range.
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 an EPA-estimated range of 239 miles (the Kona claims 258).
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 comes in two trim levels, EX and EX Premium. The EX is $39,495 without any options. It comes with nearly every driver assist, including adaptive cruise control, forward emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. The EX Premium, at $44,995, adds heated and cooled front leather seats with power adjustment for the driver, an upgraded eight-inch touchscreen with navigation, Harman/Kardon stereo, moonroof, wireless phone charging, and LED taillights. The EX Premium Launch Edition package ($1000) includes LED headlights, heated steering wheel, garage door opener, front and rear parking sensors, and a cargo cover for $45,995 all-in.
Residents in only 12 states can purchase the Niro EV (California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington). Kia has no plans to offer the car nationwide.
This story originally published on November 28, 2018.
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