After the hybrid and the plug-in hybrid, Kia unveils its long-awaited 100% e-Niro. While it does not yet lift all the brakes on buying a “zero emissions”, this SUV is definitely moving the debate forward.
Many of you are still afraid of running out of fuel in an electric car. But things should change. More than tax incentives, it is an increasingly comprehensive and above all more convincing offer that could boost sales. Like its cousin Hyundai Kona electric, this Kia e-Niro should definitely help. This Korean SUV has more than one trump card up its sleeve.
About Kia e-Niro
The first? That of appearing as an almost normal car. Indeed, apart from very slight aesthetic details, it ultimately does not seem very different from its hybrid and plug-in hybrid brothers. It also shares with them the same sense of welcome with space in front and behind, a trunk with an acceptable volume (260 dm3, like the Niro plug-in hybrid) and even the famous 7-year / 150,000 km warranty ” house “which also covers the lithium-ion polymer battery and the electric machine. But, above all, the e-Niro announces comfortable autonomy. We have therefore verified it using our rigorous ISO 9001 certified protocol.
2 hours maximum motorway
If you don’t drive the 455 km that Kia promises on average in real life, or the 615 km in the city (WLTP cycle), the e-Niro can, with its large 64 kWh battery, already take you far. Not by taking the highway where, like any electric, the Korean quickly admits its limits (244 km of measured autonomy). In fact, under these conditions and due to only one gear (no gearbox), its electric motor developing 150 kW (204 hp) runs at full speed and quickly sips all the available “juice”. Allow a little more than 2 hours of driving before going to the charging station.
Distance Kia e-Niro can travel
On the road and even more in town, driving more than 400 km without refueling is not a fantasy. It is thus possible to make the return trip every day of the week between work and home without recharging every day, or the possibility of doing (mixed city / road route) from Monday to Friday 80 km per day. Not bad, as long as you don’t forget several elements.
The influence of weather
First, the outside temperature. In cold weather, it affects the battery. And in summer. It’s the air conditioning, which consumes energy despite the use of a heat pump, which also consumes kilometers. But the most important thing is the attitude behind the wheel. Like a thermal car, the e-Niro will go further if you’re not mad about the mushroom.
To help, this SUV offers several driving programs, the most relevant of which is undoubtedly the Eco mode. And like any electric automobile, it recovers energy through regenerative braking that kicks in as soon as you release the accelerator. This function is also configurable. Beware of the brake pedal dosage, which is sometimes spongy at the start of the race and brutal at the end.
Kia e-Niro Handling
Still, the e-Niro is a good companion. Beyond the charms of an electric car with monastic silence on board and lightning-fast acceleration thanks to the torque available immediately, the machine offers peaceful handling despite its heavy weight and adequate ride comfort. Compared to the Kona electric, it does even better with a front axle which is less difficult to digest the massive influx of torque and also has more reassuring braking distances. The tires of our test model are probably not foreign: Michelin Primacy 3, against Hankook green with low rolling resistance for the Kona. Pretty much the e-Niro is a classic SUV. Tempting.
Recharging and price
However, while its range convinces, this Kia does not work miracles when it comes to recharging and you have to be patient to refuel. This is already prohibitive for those who would like to go on a long weekend or on vacation. The other obstacle to buying the e-Niro 64 kWh is obviously its price. Admittedly, ecological bonus of 6,000 € deducted, it still displays a high price but not indecent (from 36,500 € and even 32,500 € with the small battery version 39.2 kWh). But that’s already a handsome sum for an automobile that does not yet offer the flexibility of use of these hybrid brothers.
Competitor
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