Kia Niro EV (2022-2026) review | A dependable and practical used EV

What is the Kia Niro EV?

The Niro EV succeeded the popular Kia e-Niro, launched in 2019. It had an identity change, but underneath this was a very evolutionary progression for a popular electric SUV. In fact, the Niro EV carried over the same 64.8kWh battery pack and front-mounted electric motor, which could deliver a WLTP-tested driving range of 285 miles. Like the first-generation Niro, it was also available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid in the UK (just without the ‘EV’ in its name, obviously).

Production of the Kia Niro EV ended in 2026, along with the plug-in hybrid version (although you can still buy a new full hybrid Niro at present). The reason was that a flurry of new Kia electric cars, from the compact EV2 through to the EV3, EV4, EV5 and EV9. The award-winning EV3 has effectively taken over the Niro EV’s place in the model lineup.

Nonetheless, as a used or nearly-new electric car, the Kia Niro EV still has a lot going for it. For starters, its impressive range puts it in contention with the Skoda Elroq 60 and the MG4 EV, both of which can manage up to 280 miles on a full charge. It also bests the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro, which has a tested range of up to 266 miles.

The Niro EV sits on the ‘K3’ platform, not the E-GMP architecture used by the bigger, faster and more expensive Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. Gone is the rather bland, forgettable look of the Kia e-Niro, and in its place comes a blockier and more upright SUV-style car, complete with Kia’s trademark angular LED headlights. At the back, a contrasting rear-quarter panel is optional on top-spec 4 versions, which you may or may not be relieved about, while slim, high-set LED rear lights finish everything off. To our eyes, it isn’t a pretty car and looks rather over-styled. Yet it’s also far more purposeful and interesting than before, which could win it some fans.

How practical is it?

Practicality is one area where the Kia Niro EV has noticeably improved compared to its predecessor. For a start, there is a ‘frunk’: a 20-litre cubby beneath the bonnet of the car that is ideal for storing charging cables. The boot is also much bigger, offering 475 litres of luggage space and convenient underfloor storage. That’s a tad more than the Skoda Elroq’s 470 litres, and usefully bigger than the 385-litre boot in Volkswagen’s ID.3.

Passengers will enjoy loads of legroom and headroom in the back of a Kia Niro EV, plus their own USB-C charging points. But you don’t get a rear passenger air vent on the base-spec Niro ‘2’ and those in the back don’t get separate climate controls with any trim level. Heated outer rear seats are included if you go for the range-topping Niro EV 4, though.

Up front, the Niro EV borrowed much of its dashboard and infotainment system from the Kia EV6, which is no bad thing at all. The materials feel classy, including the vegan leather offered on higher-spec trims. There are some interesting textures, such as patterned, metal-look finishes to brighten things up.

The driving position is great on the mid-spec car that we drove (which gets upgraded driver’s seat controls and lumbar support), but it certainly feels more like a lifted hatchback rather than a proper SUV – albeit one with good visibility thanks to relatively upright windscreen pillars and tall windows. Visibility to the rear three-quarters and out of the narrow rear screen is quite poor, though. At least the standard reversing camera, plus blind-spot collision warning on all but the cheapest ‘2’ version, help to provide some reassurance.

The range of accessories available for the Kia Niro EV wasn’t huge – rival Skoda tends to do very well in this department – but there were still parts available directly from Kia to add a little extra versatility. You could get curtains for all the windows, for example, in case you ever go camping and forget your tent. You could also buy a Kia-branded folding chair and table set. The most useful accessories, though, were items like a tow bar, rubber boot liner, boot organiser, roof boxes and roof rails. You may find some of these included when you buy a used Niro EV. If not, you can find pre-owned accessories online – or brand new items for sale via Kia UK’s website.

What's it like to drive?

Very pleasant and assured, if hardly sparkling or involving. Available with front-wheel drive only, the Kia Niro EV serves up 201bhp and will reach 62mph from rest in 7.8 seconds. It’s satisfyingly brisk, in other words, and rapid response from the throttle makes it feel nicely potent if you need a burst of acceleration at higher speeds, (to overtake or merge with motorway traffic, perhaps.

There are three drive modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. While Eco does neuter the throttle response very noticeably, the Niro EV still feels confident if you want a sharp getaway; we actually favoured this drive mode for everyday pottering. Sport mode weights up the otherwise rather light steering, but it doesn’t solve the problem that there’s a real shortage of feedback to the steering. It’s weighted nicely for wheeling around tricky town streets and car parks, but isn’t terribly involving on a good road. Still, body control is progressive and there’s plenty of grip from the front wheels (in the dry conditions we experienced, at least), so it always feels surefooted and calm, which is what you want.

Our test car rode on 17-inch alloy wheels, and proved comfortable even over scruffy town roads. There’s a fair amount of suspension noise, and a bit of a shudder through the cabin over bigger potholes, but otherwise it’s nicely settled and comfortable, making for relaxing transport whether you’re on the motorway or in town.

The regenerative braking can be toggled through four different levels, and can also be set to ‘automatic’, which means the car senses other vehicle up ahead and increases the brake regen to keep a safe distance. There’s also an ‘i-Pedal’ mode, which offers one-pedal driving around town, but the Kia system integrates its adaptive function. All of this can be controlled via the paddles on the steering wheel, including whether you want the brake regeneration to activate its adaptive mode or not. It all feels very intuitive – in fact, this is our favourite brake regen setup for both user-friendliness and effectiveness.

Technology, infotainment and equipment

The Kia Niro EV was offered in three trims levels, badged 2, 3 and 4. Equipment levels are very good, with even the Niro EV 2 getting 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control, all-round electric windows, an eight-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10.25-inch instrument display ahead of the steering wheel. Adaptive cruise control is also included, and features a stop-and-go traffic function, plus there's lane-keep assist and autonomous emergency braking that can sense a car, pedestrian or bicycle.

The most popular model was the Kia Niro EV 3, so that is likely to be the most common car on the used market. It came with automatic wipers, upgraded interior trim, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. There’s also an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, blind-spot warning, electrically folding side mirrors, front parking sensors, wireless phone charging and substantially upgraded infotainment with a larger 10.25-inch central infotainment display. Top-spec Niro EV 4 cars have a head-up display, heated rear seats, heated and ventilated front seats, leatherette upholstery, a sunroof, a powered tailgate and more.

All things considered the Niro EV 3 is likely the best buy, but it’s worth noting that a 2024 facelift gave every trim level the larger 10.25-inch central infotainment touchscreen. Be sure to check period brochures for the model year you’re looking at as well as a used car’s specification sheet to ensure your potential purchase comes with everything you might want.

The 3 and 4 trims also bring the option of a heat pump, which improves your real-world driving range in the winter as it allows for more efficient cabin heating.

Kia Niro EV running costs

Any electric vehicle can be cheaper to run than an efficient petrol or diesel car, provided you can charge it at home. Topping up overnight, for example, will mean you are using off-peak electricity, and many energy companies offer EV-specific electricity tariffs that can be cheaper still. If you expect to rapid-charge regularly, though, that will push running costs up significantly as you will need to use public chargers. These are often very pricey indeed.

If you are unsure where to find a used Niro EV, it’s worth checking out Kia’s own Approved Used models. You get the added peace of mind of buying a car directly from Kia, and you can purchase using PCP finance. We found a 2025 Niro EV with less than 4,000 miles for £360 per month over three years with a £5,600 deposit – and the vast majority of its seven-year warranty intact. Compare that to a brand new Kia EV3, which at the time of writing could be yours for £380 per month over the same period, but with an £11,000 deposit.

Kia Niro EV reliability

Now the Niro EV is a little older, there is more reliability data available. The car ranked 11th out of 27 in the electric SUV class of the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, one spot behind the previous generation Kia e-Niro in 10th. As a brand, Kia ranked eighth overall out of 30 car manufacturers, ahead of Hyundai in 14th and Skoda in 16th.

We’ve touched on it already, but it’s worth noting that all new Kias come with a seven-year, 100,000 mile warranty, which covers the electric drive battery as well as the car itself. This means that a used Niro EV will likely have some warranty left, provided it has been serviced regularly by Kia.