Advancements in electric vehicle (EV) technology is rapidly evolving, and the redesigned 2023 Kia Niro EV is one of the latest examples of this technology. This all-electric subcompact SUV has an eye-catching design and offers faster charging times, cutting-edge technology, and a more extended battery range.
The Kia Niro EV is a revolutionary vehicle designed to change our thoughts about electric cars. It is designed from the ground up to be an electric car rather than a gas-powered car retrofitted with an electric motor.
One of the biggest concerns for anyone considering an electric car is charging time and range. Fortunately, the Kia Niro EV has you covered on both fronts. With a DC fast charger, it takes about 45 minutes for an 80% charge. While an at-home Level 2 takes about 9.5 hours for a full charge.
Each year, the battery range of EVs continues to increase, and the new Niro EV gets a 253-mile range on a full charge from its 64.8-kWh battery. It will go to most places without worrying about running out of electricity.
The Niro EV also features regenerative braking, which helps extend the vehicle’s range by capturing energy that would otherwise be lost during braking. This technology allows you to drive farther on a single charge, which means less time spent charging and more time spent on the road.
Models/Price: The 2023 Kia Niro offers two trim levels: The Wind ($40,875) and the Wave ($45,875 MSRP).
Power: Both models have a 201-hp electric motor, front-wheel drive, and a 64.8-kWh battery pack. The EPA rates the new Niro EV at 126 MPGe city/101 highway MPGe. I was impressed with its powerful electric motor that delivered instant torque that was smooth and responsive.
The Kia Niro EV is packed with cutting-edge technology designed to make driving safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable. A standout feature includes the UVO link system, allowing remote control of various vehicle functions from a smartphone or smartwatch. The UVO link can also start the car, adjust the climate control, and even find the car in a crowded parking lot.
The Niro EV has a spacious and comfortable interior, with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. The front seats are heated and ventilated, and the rear seats fold down to provide more cargo space. Other convenience features of the Niro EV include a wireless phone charger, a premium sound system, and a panoramic sunroof.
The Niro EV also has many advanced safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning.
Unfortunately, under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Niro EV doesn’t qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit, which requires that the battery’s raw materials come from a country with a U.S. free-trade agreement and that the vehicle be assembled in the U.S.
However, leasing will qualify EVs for the tax credit since a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act extends the tax credit to commercial vehicles. The goal is to incentivize the electrification of fleet vehicles in the U.S.
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