The Kia e-Niro has been crowned the 2019 WhatCar? Car of the Year and it’s set to completely change the face of the electric car market with its strapping looks, staying power and a price tag that steers clear of the sky-high ones we see from the likes of Tesla.
Staying power
The model surges forward with almost 300 miles of emission-free electric motoring, which is something for it to rev home about!
The official ‘combined cycle’ figure is 282 miles on a single charge and with a 100kW charger, the e-Niro can be recharged to 80 per cent battery life in just 54 minutes. With a 50kW charger, the battery can be replenished to 80 per cent in 75 minutes.
Equipped with a high-capacity 64kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, the e-Niro marks a breakthrough in EV technology, making it stand out from its sister cars, such as the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid, in the Kia family. In some ways, it is similar to its siblings, but the next-generation electric powertrain on the e-Niro strikes up a little healthy sibling rivalry.
Even whilst coasting or braking, the regenerative braking technology is harvesting kinetic energy to recharge the battery pack.
Rather dashing...
The bold ‘tiger-nose’ grille, at the heart of Kia design, roars with distinctive style and aerodynamic efficiency on this front-wheel drive.
If a splash of colour is what you’re after, the model comes in five popular Kia paint colours, including a tawny Pluto Brown, which is unique to the e-Niro.
Flashes of blue trim near the arrowhead daytime running lights on the front of the car, and around the air vents inside the car, are a fun addition to the vehicle.
The slick tone in the cabin is set by black leather upholstery seats and the leather-trimmed steering wheel and an 8in touchscreen with sat-nav, a JBL stereo, reversing camera, and compatibility with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, lets the driver get from A to B in style.
Optional buttons sit below the screen to help you navigate the system while you’re driving.
At the rear, a new bumper has more blue accents and there’s a diamond-cut two-tone finish on the bespoke 17-inch alloys.
Privacy glass on the rear windows and tailgate deliver an upmarket appearance.
A pocket-rocket
The battery pack, paired with a 201bhp (150kW) motor, producing 395Nm of torque, enables the car to accelerate from 0-60mph in just 7.5 seconds.
A saunter on the overtaking lane is non-existent for the e-Niro with its pocket-rocket ability to deliver instantaneous torque, letting the driver return to the correct lane safely.
From urban to rural
While it can deliver a driving range of 282 miles on the ‘combined cycle’, on the urban cycle, that figure rises to a hefty 382 miles.
Whether on rural backroads, modern highways or in urban traffic, the versatile Kia e-Niro handles each drive with poise and precision.
As well as its futuristic powertrain, the e-Niro offers those behind the wheel a range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, including the Eco DAS, to help them in a range of driving conditions.
A reversing camera system and rear parking sensors assist with visibility.
Verdict
We think the e-Niro will be a big hit for Kia – it’s stylish, feels poised yet powerful and delivers a winning combination of crossover capabilities with emission-free motoring.
The New Kia e-Niro is available to order in dealerships now. Contact your nearest Lookers Kia dealership for more information.
