This gig gives me a lot of time to get in and out of the car thinking I hate cars. On the other hand, the opposite is also true. You go into something expecting to like it and come back thinking, ‘Oh my God, I got that wrong.
Of course, there are different levels of disappointment — mild to severe — and conversely, different levels of euphoria — intense to mild — but for auto hacks, disappointment alone is great. Finding what you were expecting is not a bad thing. .
First of all, I am saddened that the manufacturer who expected a great product was not delivered. Then there’s anxiety over the poor sap you’re about to buy or have already bought one of. And finally, the reviewers who believed the pre-launch sayings about the car in question: you yourself.
Sometimes there’s also a sense that with a few minor tweaks the manufacturer could save the situation for themselves and the sap they bought their products from. and the dreaded conclusion that it cannot be saved.
The latter is not something we feel often, the former is something we have experienced many times. But as someone responsible for telling your readers the truth, it can be a very painful task.
Few cars are truly bad anymore, but there are many that are bad by degree or in comparison to their rivals. This week it’s Kia’s Niro EV.
As a regular ICE car, Niro has received modest accolades in these columns over the last few years, but Kia, like sister company Hyundai, has been gearing up recently, and cars like the Sportage and EV6 are big hits. In fact, both walked away with the gong at last year’s annual Jury Motoring Car of the Year Awards.
That’s why we landed on the new Niro, specifically the Niro EV rather than the ICE or hybrid version.
And in terms of a new look that fits both the EV6 and Sportage models above, a sleek new interior, and lots of new tech, the new Niro EV (previously called the E-Niro). ) should be close to the top of the pile. In many respects yes, but in some others it did not live up to expectations.
The EV6 in particular has an electric-only platform, while the Niro is designed on a platform that needs to accommodate electric, ICE, and hybrid powerplants. So it’s kind of a compromise, and I’m afraid that’s what it shows.
The last Niro was known as a decent contender in its class, but was widely regarded as one of the worst for both ride and handling qualities. Sadly nothing has changed with the new one.
Because the electric motor is under the hood, it is front-wheel drive, which is unusual for an electric car, and therefore prone to changes in its layout. It also has a new battery with a slightly larger capacity, a slightly longer and wider body and a 20mm longer wheelbase.
In terms of power, the car surprisingly has a lower top speed than the older model (down from 173 km/h to 165 km/h) and a slower 0-100 km/h time (down from 7.5 seconds down to 7.8 seconds). ), but these are minor differences that don’t fundamentally ruin the experience.
There are three driving modes, Eco, Sport and Normal, which can be selected via buttons on the steering wheel. In many cases, “eco” is nothing but a chunky, chunky drive. “Sports” livens things up a bit. It adds a little weight to the steering wheel, but as is often the case, ‘Normal’ is the most manageable setting.
If desired, the steering wheel paddles can also be used to adjust the level of brake energy recovery for full one-pedal operation.
These are all great and dandy down to the ride and handling, which Kia says has been tweaked in this new car. not.
The Niro EV is very restless on scratchy roads (which, let’s admit, represents a fair share of Ireland’s road network), and a little jittery on high-speed roads.
It also had an unsettling tendency that Ted Walsh might describe as “rambling” when the road elevation changed sharply.
In other words, it seems to kick the rear wheel up in the air. You don’t physically do this, but it’s a feeling you get and it’s a little disconcerting.
Other than that it was a pretty decent car, but I thought this was a feature most drivers could live without. I certainly could have done without it, and I got the impression that both the handling and the ride let the show down badly here.
Otherwise there is plenty of room inside the car. It can accommodate 4 large adults and 1 small adult in the middle of the back seat. The trunk isn’t particularly big at 475 liters (seated) and 1,392 liters (seated), and there’s also a small storage space on the flank, but that’s really for charging cables.
The interior is plush, the infotainment system is easy to use and absorbing, and the seats are comfortable rather than plush. The materials used are also of higher order rather than lower order.
This is the car best suited for urban environments, distinguished by its tight turning circle and easy-to-park attitude. It’s not as comfortable as the B Road Cruiser, but this could be a disadvantage in overall sales terms.
The 450km mark seems to be the current average for an electric car, but it claims 458, giving it plenty and offering very close to it.
In many ways, the Niro EV is a sleeker, classier, larger, more efficient, and more modern car than its predecessor, but it’s flawed in key areas and, unfortunately, otherwise perfect. It slows the car down to acceptance.
It’s a bit disappointing given the progress Kia has made recently with things like the Sportage (an electric version I haven’t tried yet) and the EV6.
We know Kia can do better. It’s not well managed here.
