The Kia Niro EV is one of the small electric vehicles that helped democratize electrification for many consumers. The announcement of its departure is not particularly surprising, as the automaker can now focus on the EV4, EV5 and the upcoming EV3.
- Only the hybrid powertrain will be offered
- Historically, the Niro was available as an EV, plug-in hybrid and hybrid
- The 1.6-litre hybrid powertrain produces 141 horsepower
During the unveiling of the refreshed 2027 Niro, Kia remained silent about the powertrain lineup that would be offered. Because the vehicle was presented in South Korea, variations depending on markets were still possible. However, it has now been reported by the South Korean publication The Korea Herald that only the hybrid powertrain will remain as the model evolves.
The Kia Niro EV was one of the smallest electric vehicles on the market, along with its technical twin, the Hyundai Kona EV. From a mechanical standpoint, it was not about cutting-edge technology, nor did it rely on the E-GMP platform that underpins the brand’s other electric vehicles. With three available powertrains — hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric — the Niro always represented a compromise.
According to Jung Won-jung, vice president of Kia Corp., the model played an important role: “When the Niro first appeared, eco-friendly cars still felt unfamiliar and somewhat distant to many people,” he said during a media event on Monday. “The Niro was Kia’s first step toward an electrified future, and it brought the value of sustainability into customers’ everyday life.”
Under the hood, the Niro EV featured a front-mounted electric motor producing 150 kW, or 201 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque. Energy was supplied by a 64.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Kia announced a driving range of 407 kilometres between charges.
What Remains
The powertrain lineup will therefore be limited to the hybrid version. It continues to rely on a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing 139/141 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Kia quotes an average fuel consumption of 4.4 L/100 km.
Far From a Step Back
This decision is far from surprising. Although Kia could have continued offering the model to maintain a broader catalogue, the Niro EV had become difficult to justify. In fact, with a base price of $48,618 for the electric version in 2026, it was more expensive than the EV4 sedan and even the compact EV5 SUV, which starts at $46,662 in front-wheel-drive form.
At the same time, and in the same segment as the Niro EV, the small EV3 SUV is about to be introduced in Canada. Considering its position in the lineup, its entry price is expected to fall below that of the EV4 sedan — meaning under $40,000.
