Verdict

This new Mid Vary 39kWh mannequin is essentially the most reasonably priced e-Niro but. It gives the identical simple, stress-free driving expertise as the larger 64kWh battery mannequin, whilst you don’t need to compromise an excessive amount of on the subject of efficiency. You lose some vary whereas it’s not essentially the most thrilling EV, however for those who want one thing sensible, don’t cowl large distances and are pondering of a change to electrical to save lots of on operating prices, the e-Niro Mid Vary needs to be in your shortlist.

The e-Niro was the beginning of Kia’s EV revolution. There had been electrified variations of the Niro compact SUV earlier than this absolutely electrical mannequin, however this was the place the automotive made most sense, as a full EV. However up till now the e-Niro was solely accessible in 64kWh large battery kind, which made it pricier, even when there was a alternative of two trim ranges.

Nonetheless, with the addition of this ‘Mid Vary’ e-Niro mannequin, which packs a 39kWh battery and is just accessible in ‘2’ trim, there’s now a extra reasonably priced choice – that is the one e-Niro to dip underneath the £30,000 mark, which suggests it may enchantment to a brand new group of patrons on a barely tighter funds.

After all, with a smaller battery you lose some vary; down from a claimed 282 miles to 180 miles right here. Nonetheless, that’s nonetheless a big distance accessible between recharging, as a result of we all know the e-Niro is fairly true to its phrase on the subject of predicted vary.

The 39kWh Mid Vary mannequin retains the 100kW charging functionality although, which is unquestionably a bonus. It means you’ll be able to cost the battery from empty to 80 per cent full in 54 minutes. Nonetheless, Kia claims the identical cost utilizing a 50kW provide takes simply three minutes longer, whereas hooked as much as a typical 7.2kW connection you get from a house wallbox a full cost takes six hours and 10 minutes – or roughly three and a half hours sooner than the e-Niro Lengthy Vary.

It isn’t as highly effective as that automotive although, because the Mid Vary mannequin’s electrical motor serves up 134bhp in contrast with 201bhp in its pricier sibling.

Nonetheless, on the subject of EVs the extra essential stat in lots of respects is torque. An electrical motor delivers this hit nearly immediately, which is the place the efficiency comes from in vehicles like this.

Regardless of which e-Niro you select, there’s 395Nm on provide, which is so much for a household SUV. In consequence, 0-60mph takes 9.5 seconds, which is greater than fast sufficient for such a automobile, nevertheless it’s that flexibility the electrical motor’s torque supplies – the punch which means you’ll be able to genuinely make overtakes simply – which means even on this extra reasonably priced e-Niro, it’s nonetheless stress-free to drive.

The regenerative braking is nearly as good because it’s ever been, which helps ship this easy-going really feel. In its strongest mode (it’s switchable between 4 totally different settings utilizing the paddles mounted behind the steering wheel) it permits one-pedal driving, so you’ll be able to simply modulate the throttle on the town or on a rustic street to change your pace.

Vary nervousness can influence leisure in EVs, however right here that’s not a problem. Neither is efficiency or refinement from the powertrain, whereas the extent of package on provide helps, too.

This ‘2’ trim options part-leather upholstery, local weather and adaptive cruise management, parking sensors and a reversing digicam, plus an eight-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Greater-spec fashions characteristic the bigger 10.25-inch unit, however the smaller eight-inch set-up continues to be nice. It responds shortly to your inputs and the graphics are sharp; the tech works with the standard degree of slick simplicity you’d anticipate from a Kia, it’s simply it’s barely downscaled for this ‘2’ mannequin.

There’s a set of 17-inch alloys as commonplace with loads of rubber within the tyres’ sidewalls, serving to the journey high quality. The Kia is snug – principally – serving up a clean sufficient journey till you whack an enormous bump or pothole, the place the chassis simply loses its composure. It handles safely, delivering precisely what you need from a household SUV, and there’s loads of energetic and passive security tech to again that up.

Collision warning and autonomous braking, lane-keep and lane comply with help, plus seven airbags all characteristic for a five-star Euro NCAP security ranking.

With 451 litres of boot house practicality is unchanged, plus there’s sufficient room within the again for passengers to get snug. The downside is that whereas the e-Niro is sensible, the inside (and exterior) design may do with a refresh. It’s feeling a little bit previous now, regardless of a refined facelift final 12 months, whereas different EVs provide a brisker proposition, such because the Peugeot e-2008.

Construct high quality is strong although, even when a few of the supplies could possibly be higher.