Kia Niro EV GT-Line

Great EV but just a little too expensive – The Kia Niro GT-Line brings in higher quality feeling materials, like better seat materials than the entry level Niro and elevated different interior trim materials. Over bumps and uneven roads, the Niro never generated a squeak that sounded out of place. Priced from $72,100 before on-road costs and incentives, this electric Kia is slightly more affordable than the EV6.

It boasts 460km of WLTP range; that’s a competitive range against similarly priced cars. Although, if you can sacrifice the SUV body shape, you’ll get better value in a sedan shape offered by Tesla and Polestar.

If you don’t need that much range, the MG ZS EV will provide the electric SUV experience for nearly $30,000 less.

This electric Kia comes with a 7 year/unlimited kilometre warranty, and high voltage parts are covered by a 7 year warranty, but only up to 150,000km.

Over seven years, the Niro EV will only cost you $1754 to service over 7 yearly services, or every 15,000km. That’s a whole lot less than the hybrid alternatives.

Noise isolation felt superior, particularly thanks to the fact there was no petrol motor onboard.

The upgraded speaker system in the Niro GT-Line helped increase cabin isolation and immersion, and the upgrade is absolutely worth it.

There was some noticeable electric motor noise under heavy acceleration, but nothing out of the ordinary. If you’re looking for a silent daily driver, the Niro is an excellent introduction into electric car ownership.

Adjustable regenerative braking is available via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. You can coast, use one-pedal driving mode, or simply hold a paddle to let the car decide for you in Auto mode.

I loved the one-pedal driving experience here, making it just a little easier to live with when driving around town. Trust me, you feel like you’re taking a step back when you drive a car without the ability to brake once you lift off the throttle.

Don’t expect a rival to a Tesla or a Polestar when it comes to acceleration. There’s no ludicrous mode, but there is a Sport mode.

The electric motor is found between the front wheels, making the Niro EV exclusively front-wheel drive. This motor produces 150kW (201hp) and 255Nm, allowing this family SUV to hurdle to 100km/h in 7.8 seconds.

That instant torque feels a lot faster than a petrol equivalent with the same specifications.

I really enjoyed the look and feel of the rotary shift dial in the Niro EV, however that’s about it.

The lower centre of gravity helps the Niro EV corner a whole lot better than its petrol-powered counterparts.

I found that it was extremely entertaining in corners, and composed when daily driving in the city. The extra weight can make the Niro feel like a more substantial car, but it also will cause the car to ‘crash’ harder on potholes and harsh speed bumps.

The only issue I found when handling was the instant torque to the front wheels. If it’s particularly slippery, and if you give it too much throttle mid-corner, those front wheels will squeal. This is a reason why I prefer rear-wheel drive electric cars.

Kia claims 16.2kWh per 100km of driving. You’ll achieve that in bumper to bumper traffic and on small highway stints. However, I found it closer to 19kWh per 100km in my combined tests. And as mentioned, there’s a claimed 460km of electric range when at 100% charge.

I found the real world range to be just above 400km per charge. It’s not as fast charging as the Kia EV6, which is capable of receiving 350kW of DC charge. The Kia Niro will only accept up to 80kW of DC charge, meaning charging from 0 to 80% will take 45 minutes from a 100kW charger. That’s a little slow considering the rest of Kia and Hyundai’s electric cars are adopting faster charging batteries.

Clearly inspired by the Kia EV6, the Niro’s interior brings all the right features and design cues to fix what was a very bland interior.

I especially love the seat design, steering wheel, centre console design and the curved displays that all help to make the Niro feel just like an EV should: futuristic.

There’s 475L of boot space in the Niro EV, with an additional 20L found in the front boot, AKA the froot or the frunk.

You’re considering this because the idea of a small SUV is the most appealing for you. You want a little extra range, warranty and features, and that’s why you’re looking at this Niro EV compared to something like a MG ZS EV or a BYD ATTO 3.

You’ve got stiff competition from Hyundai with the Kona EV, which has a brand new update coming soon that’ll make Kia shake in their tyres.

If you don’t need a lifted car like this crossover, I’d suggest buying a Tesla Model 3 or a Polestar 2 because of their superior battery technology and slightly better driving experience for less money.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.

Tried Tesla model 3 and this one, said no to Tesla. What a surprise – As an eco-conscious driver, I recently made the decision to go electric, and I couldn't be happier with my choice of the Kia Niro EV GT-Line. This electric vehicle has truly exceeded all my expectations and has made me fall in love with driving all over again. As a bonus I can now fully utilise my solar roof set up instead of letting my electricity company “steal it” at 5c/kw. Also, I’ve signed up with an OVO EV plan that allows me to charge my car for 8c/kw from midnight till 6am. I use this service if I can’t get enough electricity from my solar. If you signed up with them using my referral link they credit your monthly bill with $10 every month for a year. The referral link is here: www.ovoenergy.com.au/refer/gregory1552 First and foremost, the Kia Niro EV GT-Line boasts an impressive range, allowing me to confidently embark on longer journeys without worrying about range anxiety. With its advanced battery technology, I can easily achieve the advertised range, and the regenerative braking system helps me maximise the efficiency, especially during city driving. I do mostly city driving. At the moment my driving range stands 520km/full charge. Summer average was 560km/ full charge. That is impressive considering the advertised range of 475km/full charge. The driving experience is incredibly smooth and quiet. The instant torque of the electric motor makes acceleration quick and responsive, giving me a thrilling ride every time I step on the pedal. The low centre of gravity due to the battery placement contributes to the car's stability and nimble handling, making it a pleasure to manoeuvre through tight corners and crowded streets. The design of the Kia Niro EV GT-Line is both stylish and practical. The sporty GT-Line trim adds a touch of sophistication with its exclusive features and unique accents. One of those features is V2L. Vehicle to load technology. In short It allows the use of cars as energy source for home appliances. The car allows me to fully utilise my roof solar where I charge the car battery during solar peak generation and use its battery where possible when the sun stops shining. I made a short video where I show how to utilise V2L tech for those who are interested: https://youtube.com/shorts/0Vl6O_rME0w?feature=share. Inside, the cabin is well-crafted with high-quality materials and an intuitive layout. The comfortable seats and ample legroom ensure a pleasant journey for both the driver and passengers. All above and more the reason why I ended buying Kia and not Tesla, despite very similar pricing. I briefly debate those and other points here: https://youtu.be/GPj6J44hY6E One of the most impressive aspects of this electric vehicle is its extensive list of features and advanced technology. The infotainment system is user-friendly and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keeping me connected and entertained throughout my travels. The inclusion of safety features like lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring provides an extra layer of confidence on the road. Charging the Kia Niro EV GT-Line is a breeze, whether I'm using a public charging station or the convenience of my home charger. It's incredibly satisfying to wake up each morning with a full battery, ready for another day of emission-free driving. For those who would like to know more about charging and what to expect regardless of your chosen vehicle I created an explanatory video here: https://youtu.be/jE45LFATVXs As a bonus, the Kia Niro EV GT-Line is surprisingly spacious. The generous cargo space easily accommodates my daily needs and weekend adventures, making it a practical choice for a variety of lifestyles. Another big bonus for the top of the GT-line is Kia Connect. Kia Connect is an advanced telematics system that takes your driving experience to the next level. With this feature, you can stay connected to your Niro EV GT-Line remotely through your smartphone or compatible device. One of the standout features of Kia Connect is the ability to remotely control certain aspects of your vehicle, providing unparalleled convenience. Using the Kia Access app, you can remotely start and stop charging your Niro EV GT-Line, which is incredibly useful for ensuring that your car is charged and ready to go when you need it. You can also pre-condition the interior, adjusting the temperature before you step inside, perfect for extreme weather conditions. No more getting into a freezing or scorching hot car—the Niro EV GT-Line will be comfortable and welcoming. The app also provides real-time information about your car's charging status and range, so you can plan your trips accordingly. You'll always be aware of how much driving range you have left, giving you peace of mind on longer journeys. There are too many features of Kia Connect to list. I made a comprehensive video where I’m walking through all features of Kia Connect and possible settings for them. For those who are interested, the video is here: https://youtu.be/dMs8w7_LXMI The GT-line in Australia comes with Optus SIM for Kia Connect functionality and free of charge for the first 7 years of the car. Lastly, I must mention Kia's excellent warranty package (7 years and 150 000 k km for the battery), which provides peace of mind and reassurance in the durability and reliability of the Niro EV GT-Line. In conclusion, the Kia Niro EV GT-Line is an exceptional electric vehicle that ticks all the boxes for performance, style, and technology. It's the perfect choice for eco-conscious drivers who seek a well-rounded and enjoyable driving experience without compromising on practicality. If you're considering going electric, I highly recommend giving the Kia Niro EV GT-Line a test drive. You won't be disappointed!