The third configuration of the all-new and significantly improved 2023 Kia Niro lineup (joining the hybrid and plug-in hybrid) is the fully electric Niro EV.
Some specifics about this compact but roomy 5-door electric hatchback: It’s powered by a 64.8-kWh lithium-ion battery, and it has a 201-horsepower electric motor driving the front wheels. This should make the electric Niro quicker than its hybrid and PHEV siblings while giving it a respectable maximum range of 253 miles.
DC fast-charging capability comes standard. Using a Level 3 fast charger at 85 kW, the 2023 Kia Niro EV can be brought from a 10% charge to an 80% charge in about 45 minutes. Using a Level 2 charger at home, the new Niro EV can be fully charged in less than seven hours. A heat pump and battery warmer, which help preserve vehicle range in cold weather, are optional.
Two trim levels of the 2023 Kia Niro EV are available: the Wind, a well-equipped entry-level model, and the Wave, which is loaded with standard equipment.
Both Niro EV trim configurations are built to be ecologically friendly. To that end, they have headliners made from recycled wallpaper, and the seats are covered in a polyurethane vegan leather made with eucalyptus leaves. The interior door panels of the Niro EV also are coated in a special paint that does not contain benzene, toluene, or xylene.
Before we take a look at the Wind and the Wave trim configurations, it should be known that the new Kia Niro EV is distinguished by Steel Gray or black exterior trim, depending on body color. What’s more, it’s sold in all 50 states, and it offers the same vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology first seen in its electric Kia EV6 sibling. With V2L you can charge your electric-assist bicycle, run power tools, or even give another EV with a depleted battery enough of a boost to get home.
Standard safety equipment abounds. In addition to forward collision avoidance feature with automatic emergency braking, the new Kia Niro EV comes standard with navigation-based smart cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, a driver alertness monitor, and even a Safe Exit Warning that won’t let rear-seat passengers open their doors if it senses dangerous traffic approaching from behind.
Optional for the first time on a Kia Niro EV (Wave only) is Highway Driving Assist II, a semi-autonomous driving system that includes automatic lane changes. Drivers must keep their hands on the steering wheel with this system.
With 22.8 cubic feet of cargo room behind its rear seat and 63.7 cubic feet of cargo room with its back seat folded forward, the Kia Niro EV offers the exact same cargo volume as its HEV and PHEV siblings. Note: The Niro EV’s handsome sibling, the EV6, has a bit more space behind its rear seat (24.4 cubic feet) but a bit less with its rear seat folded (50.2 cubic feet).
Competitors for the slightly larger and significantly more refined new 2023 Kia Niro EV include the Chevy Bolt EUV, Nissan Leaf EV Plus, and Volkswagen ID.4, a trio of lesser-priced EVs. If you tend to shy away from overtly boxy styling and are willing to pay a bit more, you might also consider the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia’s own EV6.
Niro EV Wind
Starts at $39,550 | See listings
- SynTex and cloth upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Power driver’s seat
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat
- 10.25-inch digital instrument panel
- 10.-inch touchscreen with navigation
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto/SiriusXM
- 6-speaker audio/5 USB ports
- Wireless smartphone charger
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Adaptive cruise control
- See more
Niro EV Wave
Starts at $44,550 | See listings
- Perforated SynTex upholstery
- Power front seats with heat
- Heated steering wheel
- Sunroof
- Smart power tailgate
- Available Remote Smart Park Assist
- LED projector taillights
- 7-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Power-folding heated side mirrors with LED turn signals
- Vehicle-to-Load inverter
- See more
2023 Kia Niro EV Wind: $39,550
By no means a base model, the 2023 Kia Niro EV Wind comes standard with vegan leather and cloth upholstery that’s complemented by a 10-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a tilt/telescope steering wheel with paddles that provide three levels of battery charging during deceleration. You also get a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch digital infotainment screen with a wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connection.
In addition to a 6-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, the Niro EV Wind offers its buyer five standard USB ports, plus a wireless smartphone charger and second-row air vents for the dual-zone automatic climate control.
Other standard highlights on the Wind include 17-inch alloy wheels and a power tailgate, along with a heated windshield, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, LED taillights, LED daytime running lights, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.
Options on the 2023 Kia Niro EV Wind are minimal. If you live in an area with real winter, we highly recommend the $1,300 Wind Preserve Package. In addition to its heated outboard rear seats, you get a heat pump that extends the vehicle’s driving range in cold weather by using heat from the motor and inverter to warm the cabin.
You can order your Niro EV Wind in Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, or Runway Red paint for an additional $395.
With the $1,325 destination fee, the 2023 Kia Niro EV Wind costs $40,875. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $771. See 2023 Kia Niro EV Wind models for sale near you
2023 Kia Niro EV Wind includes:
- Adaptive cruise control – This system automatically keeps a set distance between the Niro EV and the vehicle ahead. It even communicates with the navigation system to slow the Niro EV if necessary for upcoming turns on the highway.
- Junction Turning – Part of the forward collision avoidance system, Junction Turning applies the brakes automatically if it senses you trying to turn across the bow of dangerous oncoming traffic.
- Vegan leather seat – The seat upholstery in the Niro EV Wind is made from an environmentally friendly synthetic leather that’s a blend of bio-polyurethane and fibers from eucalyptus leaves.
2023 Kia Niro EV Wave: $44,550
Is the Niro EV Wave worth $5,000 more than Niro EV Wind? Let’s take a look.
Because both Niro EV trim configurations have the exact same power and range, it boils down to this: What does the Niro EV Wave have that the Niro EV Wind doesn’t?
For starters, it has heated and ventilated front seats upholstered in a vegan leather with a perforated texture. Both front seats also offer 10-way power adjustability, with lumbar support and memory settings.
Other standard Niro EV Wave upgrades include a heated steering wheel, a power sunroof, an electrochromic rearview mirror with HomeLink, and a big subwoofer bass speaker in the rear cargo floor. You also get LED interior lighting, a passenger sun visor with an LED vanity mirror, and power-folding sideview mirrors with integrated LED turn signals.
The Niro EV Wave also gets forward and reverse parking warnings, which can be shut off if desired. It’s also the only Niro EV trim configuration with the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) inverter, which allows you to power small electrical appliances or charge items such as e-bikes.
On the outside, the Niro EV Wave is distinguished by satin-accent door handles and black trim on the lower side door cladding. Black trim also adorns the Wave’s wheel arch moldings, lower bumpers, and rear spoiler. The Wave also is the only Niro EV available with gray-painted C-pillars, a $195 option.
Two other trim-exclusive options set the Niro EV Wave even further apart. Highway Drive Assist II is a semi-autonomous driving system that handles much of the steering and braking on the highway, as long as you keep your hands on the steering wheel. It even changes lanes automatically if desired.
The other significant option? Remote Smart Park Assist, which allows you to remotely move your Niro EV Wave into (or out of) tight parking spots via the Kia Digital Key, minimizing the chance of door dings.
The 2023 Kia Niro EV Wave can be ordered with the Wave Preserve Package, a $1,300 option that contains a heat pump and a battery warmer (to preserve driving range in cold temperatures), plus heated rear seats. A smart choice, we say, especially if you live in a cold climate.
Like the Wind, the Niro EV Wave can be ordered in Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, or Runway Red paint for $395.
With its $1,325 destination fee, the 2023 Kia Niro EV Wave costs $45,875. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $866. See 2023 Kia Niro EV Wave models for sale near you
2023 Kia Niro EV Wave includes:
- Harman Kardon audio – With a subwoofer below the rear cargo floor, this 7-speaker Harman Kardon system delivers music with a wealth of bass.
- Remote Smart Park Assist – With this standard system, the Niro EV Wave owner can stand outside the vehicle and use the Digital Key to remotely move the car out of tight parking spots. Practice in your own driveway and amaze your neighbors!
- Vehicle-to-Load inverter – This V2L system lets you use the Wave’s big battery to power, say, a blender at your campsite. Or provide a fellow EV driver with a drained battery enough juice to reach the nearest charging station.
