Enter the 2019 Kia Niro EV, a long range, all-electric crossover to fall in love with. Priced at right around 38K (as seen at 47K), this is perfect for your smaller families or those with gear and pets to ride around with. Read on for details.
When I found out that an all electric vehicle would be coming for review, I have to admit that I was hesitant. I had these fears that I would be stranded on the side of the road somewhere in North Texas without a way to charge the vehicle or that the process would be too complicated to be efficient and integrate into the everyday hustle and bustle of life. I can unabashedly say, that the 2019 Kia Niro EV changed that perspective. My fears were unfounded. The process was simple and streamlined, and that if you wanted to, you could charge almost anywhere.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
Seating 5 or 4 with car seats in the back, the 2019 Kia Niro EV is sleek, striking and unapologetically modern. The sport utility design team behind the latest offerings at Kia Motors has been hitting it out the park with vehicles that are externally stunning, responsive, elegant, smart with the interior hallmarks of luxury vehicles but at a lower-price point than some of their competitors. That being said, for the 2019 Kia Niro EV, fans of the Infiniti QX50, Tesla Model 3 and the Lexus UX will be happy with the clean lines and a heavy nod the sporty with an interior that fits and exceeds the expectation. Luxe textures like perforated leather, pebbled contrast piping and neat stitching elevate the everyday and add a touch of sex appeal to an earth friendly vehicle.
During the week, we had the vehicle, I put it through the test of everyday life. Stop and go traffic during the two-school drop off session. The wait-wait-go of morning traffic on 635 and I-35 in addition to trekking across the DFW. Hauling results of a productive Target run and all the gear that comes with 3 kids and a busy life. I was thankful for the stellar 8 speaker sound system courtesy of Harmon/Kardon and the connectivity of the navigation system. It was seamless and simple. The 7” touchscreen nestled neatly in the dash and the apps are clear and easy to use. The Niro EV handled beautifully. The Driver Assist system is on point from lane keeping assist and blind spot monitors; I loved it and now feel like it is a must have. I tried out all four of the drive modes from Eco, Sport, Normal and Eco+, especially since the week that it was here the weather in Dallas was all over the gambit. Quite literally, we had all four seasons in one week. I found that Sport and Normal were my favorites.
The acceleration was smooth and held the get up and go to move with ease and across the highways of North Texas. The long-range battery was exactly that… a long range battery that held the charge as it said it would with about 230 miles per full charge. As far as charging, there are several options, either I could charge it overnight at home with the plug-in charger that comes with the vehicle or I could charge up at a rapid charging station. Which I did (see the pics at the gallery below), I found that I could charge about 90 miles while I ate lunch at the rapid charging station.
One of my larger questions with this vehicle was not the vehicle itself, but rather is North Texas ready for electric. I happen to live in Mesquite, Texas which is a unique blend of rural and urban-lite with our outskirts hovering about 20 minutes outside of Dallas. I can say, yes, North Texas is ready, some parts more than others, but yes, it is. I found that using the app on the dash showed me several places right here that have charging stations that I have driven by completely unnoticed in my day to day routine. From Cracker Barrell, Kohl’s, Twin Peaks, The Perot Musuem and other EV Charging stations, but truly, if there is a plug with a 110V charge, you are set.
WHO IS GOING TO LOVE THIS?
Initially, I would have squarely placed this for my millennial parents that value style, space and want the comfort of feeling like you are doing the Earth a solid with your everyday commute and yes, they will love this. But while out and about with it, I found the Dads and Baby Boomer Parents {even mine} of the Millennials loved this one. They loved the look, the space, the layout of details and the way that it handled.
Definetely worth getting behind the wheel of this one, it looks cool {inside and out} and then when you get on the inside and realize that there is no gas involved, that it holds it’s charge, is priced about 2/3 the price of it’s competitors and feels luxurious enough to be a special vehicle to add to your stable. To find your local dealership and check out the new Kia Niro EV, visit here.
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