Should You Buy a 2025 Kia Niro EV?

There is no shortage of options for drivers who are in the market for a small electric SUV, with most automakers having one or two models to offer in this segment. The Kia Niro EV is one of those, and it is worth taking a look at.

Indeed, this sub-compact electric crossover seems to live in the shadow of the EV6 and the EV9, the brand’s flagship electric products.

While it doesn’t offer as much range or interior space, as well as slower charging speeds than Kia’s E-GMP-based models, it has a few things going for it. We’ll come back to those shortly.

A quick overview

First, let’s talk about the basics. The Kia Niro is a sub-compact crossover that offers three electrified powertrains, with a conventional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and a fully electric version. The latter is available in three trim levels called Wind, Wind +, and Wave.

Pricing starts at $45,595 for the entry-level model, which comes standard with two 10,25-inch information displays, heated front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Kia Connect services, remote start, a proximity key system, remote parking assist, forward collision warning with junction assist, lane-following assist, Highway Drive Assist, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Stepping up to the $48,595 Wind+ trim level adds items such as a heat pump heating system, a power liftgate, roof rails, cloth and leatherette upholstery, rear center armrest, a heated steering wheel, wireless device charging, a power driver’s seat, and rear parking sensors.

Our test vehicle was a top-of-the-line Wave edition, with an MSRP of $53,595. This price gives the Niro EV several additional features, such as a sunroof, LED headlamps and fog lamps, power-folding side mirrors, synthetic leather upholstery, LED interior lights, a power passenger seat, memory settings for the driving position, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, steering wheel paddles to control regeneration levels, the digital key system, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, a heads-up display, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, HomeLink, front parking sensors, advanced Highway Driving Assist, rain-sensing wipers, along with a few esthetic changes.

All versions of the 2025 Kia Niro EV are powered by the same 64.8 kWh battery and front axle-mounted motor which generates 201 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque. This gives the Niro EV an estimated range of 407 kilometres on a full charge, according to Natural Resources Canada.

Why You Should Buy a 2025 Kia Niro EV

• Just the Right Size for City Driving

The 2025 Kia Niro EV is slightly shorter and significantly lower to the ground than most other sub-compact crossovers, which makes it very easy to drive and park in crowded cities. At the same time, its relatively long wheelbase and wide body afford it more interior space than you might think. Indeed, the Niro EV has more front and rear headroom as well as significantly more rear legroom than most of its competitors. This makes it quite practical, even for families with a young child. The cargo compartment is also quite spacious, with 646 litres with the rear seats up and up to 1,804 litres with the seats down.

• A Long List of Features

As we have come to expect from Kia, the 2025 Niro EV is very well-equipped, with features such as the remote parking assist system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Highway Drive Assist coming standard on the entry-level Wind trim level. Our top-of-the-line Wave tester also added popular items such as ventilated front seats, a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, a Harman Kardon sound system and a head-up display. The Niro EV thus has little to envy its larger sibling, the EV6, in terms of characteristics.

• A Comfortable Ride

The 2025 Kia Niro EV benefits from a smooth ride that absorbs bumps and potholes without jarring the occupants too much. This makes driving more pleasant on badly maintained city streets and it helps make long highway trips less tiring. The Niro EV has no sporting pretensions whatsoever, but its compliant suspension doesn’t result in floaty handling either.

• Sufficient Range for Most

While the 2025 Kia Niro EV is not the electric vehicle that offers the most range on the market, its official rating of 407 kilometres should be enough for most urban drivers, even if they occasionally venture further from home. It also seems that careful drivers could wring a bit more energy out of the battery since my vehicle’s dashboard claimed a range of 483 kilometres in Eco mode and with the climate control off after a full charge.

• A Unique and Modern Appearance

The 2025 Kia Niro EV doesn’t go unnoticed in a sea of similar-looking crossovers. Indeed, the Niro makes the most of the brand’s bold design language, with sharp angles, distinctive lighting signatures, and available contrasting C-Pillars. Of course, most bold designs are polarizing, and the Niro EV might not appeal to everyone from an appearance perspective.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy a 2025 Kia Niro EV

• Very Slow Charging Speeds

The 2025 Kia Niro EV is one of the slowest-charging electric vehicles currently on the market since its level-3 capabilities are capped at a rate of about 85 kW. This means that going from 10 to 80% charge will take at least 45 minutes at a 100-kW station or more in cold temperatures. For example, my tester took 33 minutes to charge from 49 to 80% at 20°C, and filling it up completely would have added another 57 minutes. Obviously, most buyers will charge their Niro at home overnight, but this does mean the Niro EV is not the best choice for drivers who frequently need to cover long distances.

• Front Wheel Drive Only

Another strike against the 2025 Kia Niro EV for some drivers will be its lack of available all-wheel drive. Indeed, this crossover can only be powered via the front wheels, which reduces its capabilities in winter. This won’t stop the Niro in its tracks as soon as there’s snow on the ground, but it would have been nice to have an all-wheel drive option, especially for drivers who live in hilly areas.

• A Strange Driving Position

The driving position in the Niro takes some getting used to since the front seats are mounted high relative to the dashboard, making the driver feel as if they are sitting on the car rather than in it. Moreover, the floor drops down significantly towards the front of the vehicle, which is unusual. I got used to both of these peculiarities after a few days, but others might find them more difficult to deal with.

• Some Annoying Quirks

The 2025 Kia Niro EV also has a few small quirks that detract from the overall pleasant experience. For example, the Niro is equipped with the usual Kia touch-sensitive panel that replaces physical buttons for the audio system and climate controls. This solution is not very user-friendly as you can’t find most buttons by feel alone, and the rotary knobs change function when switching between audio or climate mode. Another small annoyance is the regeneration indicator in the instrument cluster which moves the opposite way from the paddles that control the system (increasing regen with the left paddle moves the needle right, and vice-versa). You are better off not looking at the gauge when making adjustments as it is surprisingly easy to do the opposite of what you intend. Finally, another quirk of the Kia Niro EV is the location of its charge port, which is placed in the center of the front fascia. While this looks nice, it is worth remembering that very few other electric vehicles have their charge port in the front, which means most public stations are not designed with this in mind. This is another reason why Niro EV owners are better off charging at home as much as possible.

• Not the Best Value

Surprisingly for a Kia vehicle, the 2025 Niro EV is not a great value choice in its segment when considering its powertrain and charging capabilities. Indeed, the $48,962 base price (fees included) is a few hundred dollars higher than the Chevrolet Equinox EV, which has 100 km more range (513 km) and charges much faster (150-kW). The picture is similar when looking at the Wave trim level, as its $56,595 price can get you a nicely equipped AWD Equinox EV, or the entry-level version of almost any mass-market EV. Currently, Kia offers a $3,000 rebate on the Niro EV, which helps somewhat, but we don’t know how permanent this measure will be.

Conclusion

The 2025 Kia Niro EV is a small electric crossover that is practical, efficient, comfortable, and quite manoeuvrable. While its size and features make it perfect for drivers who commute to work in city traffic, with occasional longer trips, its disappointing charging capabilities mean there are better options out there for those who regularly drive long distances. It is not the best value on the market either, so we hope Kia will permanently adjust its prices to make it more competitive now that federal EV incentives have been abandoned.