Kia E niro
Used Car Review

Overview

Looking for an electric family SUV that doesn’t break the bank? The Kia E niro could be exactly what you need. This practical electric crossover delivers impressive range, generous space, and excellent build quality without the premium price tag of luxury competitors. It’s the perfect car for families wanting to make the switch to electric driving without compromising on practicality or value.

The E niro stands out in the crowded electric SUV market with its sensible approach to family motoring. While rivals like the Nissan Qashqai focus on traditional petrol power, the E niro proves that electric can be just as practical for everyday use. The exterior styling is modern without being flashy, and the spacious interior feels well built and thoughtfully designed. You get the sense that Kia has prioritised substance over style, which works brilliantly for family buyers.

What makes the E niro special is how normal it feels to drive and live with. The electric powertrain delivers smooth, quiet performance that makes every journey more relaxing. With up to 282 miles of official range, range anxiety becomes a thing of the past for most drivers. The charging network is improving rapidly, making longer trips increasingly viable. It’s an electric car that works for real families with real needs, not just early adopters with deep pockets.

What's the Kia E niro Like to Drive?

The Kia E niro delivers the smooth, refined performance that makes electric cars so appealing. The 64kWh battery model produces 204 horsepower, providing brisk acceleration that feels effortless in everyday driving. The 0-60mph time of 7.8 seconds is more than adequate for family use, while the instant torque delivery makes overtaking and city driving a joy. The smaller 39kWh version offers 136 horsepower, which is still perfectly usable for most drivers.

What impresses most is how civilised the E niro feels on the road. The electric motor is virtually silent, creating a calm and relaxing driving environment that compact SUVs with traditional engines simply can’t match. The regenerative braking system works intelligently, allowing you to drive almost entirely with one pedal once you get used to it. The steering is light and precise, making parking easy while providing decent feedback at higher speeds. It handles predictably and safely, prioritizing comfort over sportiness.

Inside the Kia E niro: Comfort & Features

Step inside the E niro and you’re greeted by a well designed, family friendly interior that feels more premium than the price suggests. The dashboard layout is clean and logical, with physical buttons for key functions alongside the central touchscreen. Materials feel solid throughout, with soft touch plastics where you’re likely to make contact. The seats are comfortable and supportive, with good adjustment range to help drivers of all sizes find their perfect position.

The cabin is impressively quiet thanks to the lack of engine noise and good insulation from road and wind sounds. This creates a relaxing environment that makes longer journeys more pleasant for everyone. Standard equipment is generous, including smartphone integration, climate control, and a decent sound system. Higher spec models add heated seats, a larger touchscreen, and premium audio. The rear seats offer good space for adults, while the driving position gives you a commanding view of the road ahead.

The Kia E niro represents electric motoring done right for mainstream buyers. It successfully combines the environmental benefits of electric power with the practical needs of real families. The impressive range, competitive pricing, and excellent warranty make it one of the most compelling electric SUVs available. The interior quality and refinement levels are genuinely impressive for the money.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Kia E niro?

This is where the E niro really shines. Electric running costs are dramatically lower than petrol or diesel alternatives. Home charging can cost as little as 5p per mile, while even rapid charging on the motorway works out cheaper than filling up with fuel. You’ll save hundreds of pounds per year on running costs compared to a similar petrol SUV. Insurance groups are reasonable for an electric car, though they may be slightly higher than for equivalent petrol models.

The main consideration is the higher purchase price compared to traditional alternatives. However, government grants can help reduce this, and car finance options make the monthly payments more manageable. Servicing costs are lower too, as electric motors have fewer moving parts than conventional engines. The 7 year warranty provides excellent peace of mind, covering both the car and the battery. When you factor in the lower running costs, the E niro makes strong financial sense over the ownership period.

Is the Kia E niro Practical for Everyday Use?

For families considering electric, the E niro ticks most of the practical boxes. The 451 litre boot is a decent size for the class, easily accommodating the weekly shopping or holiday luggage for four people. The rear seats fold flat to create a larger loading area when needed. Inside the cabin, you’ll find plenty of storage spaces for phones, drinks, and family paraphernalia that accumulates on longer journeys.

The high driving position gives you a good view of traffic ahead, while the relatively compact dimensions make it manageable in tight car parks and narrow streets. Where the E niro shows its family credentials is in the rear seat space, which is generous enough for adult passengers on longer trips. While it can’t match larger used Kia cars like the Sorento for outright space, it offers an excellent balance of size and maneuverability that works well for most families. The charging port is conveniently located at the front of the car, making it easy to plug in.

The Kia E niro stands as one of the most sensible and successful electric family cars available today. It packages impressive range, strong build quality, and excellent value into an attractive and practical SUV shape. While the initial purchase price is higher than petrol alternatives, the dramatically lower running costs and generous warranty help offset this over time.

You choose the E niro because you want to enjoy the benefits of electric driving without compromising on family practicality. Its quiet refinement, ample space, and impressive technology make it ideal for everything from school runs to holiday adventures. For families ready to embrace electric motoring, the E niro offers a compelling blend of sensibility and innovation that’s hard to beat, especially with cars under £10,000 available on the used market.