2025 Kia Niro EV consumer reviews

This car replaced a 2010 Hyundai that was beginning to give me trouble. I decided to lease it - my first 100% EV - and installed a charger in my garage. So far I am totally delighted with the car - its finish, its drivability, and its performance. It is nimble and when I step hard on the accelerator (what we used to call the "gas pedal") it leaps forward like a startled bunny. To be sure there are lots of differences from the traditional gas-powered cars I have driven all of my life. It is really quiet, which sometimes is a little deceiving because it is actually working. The quiet and the different feedback signals that provides to the driver will take some time to get used to. Also, there are so many options -- many of them hidden several clicks from the top of the home screen -- that are still a mystery to me. (As usual, the owner's manual is almost impossible to use -- I have relied on asking ChatGPT for guidance). "What is that button for?" "How do I make it so the radio doesn't turn on every time I get in the car?" "Where is cruise control?" "How do I turn off the seat heaters?" -- the list is endless and I'm counting on slowly learning how all of it works. Overall, after a month of driving the car I couldn't be happier. It will be an "in town" vehicle -- the range isn't suitable for much inter-city driving -- but I love how smooth and competent the car feels. The finishes inside and out are great; seats comfortable and insanely easy to adjust; sight lines fine. It's a great introduction to the work of EVs.