2023 Kia Niro EV Performance

Sadly, this is one area where we can't tout the Niro EV's capabilities. There is only a single motor making 201 horsepower, and front-wheel drive isn't really conducive to spirited driving. Acceleration feels good at launch but tapers off quickly, and it takes almost seven seconds to go from 0-60 mph and more than double that to reach the top speed of 106 mph. This makes the car ideal for city driving, while getting up to speed on the highway or overtaking can be an arduous task. You can toggle Sports mode to try and get a least some semblance of performance out of it, but the Niro EV feels far at home in Eco, where it can play to its strengths. With almost no ground clearance to speak of, the crossover is definitely not suited to off-road driving. No tow capacities have been provided, either.

Powering the Kia Niro EV is a single motor mated to a 64.8-kWh battery and an eCVT. This sends 201 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. This is the same system found in the Kia's corporate cousin, the Hyundai Kona EV. Though power may be up from the outgoing model, overall performant is not much better. There is enough low-down torque and kick to get you going around town, but going anywhere fast is not really the Niro EV's forte.

As with most electric cars, the Kia Niro EV gets impressive mileage figures. Across the city/highway/combined cycles, it manages 126/101/113 MPGe. With a 64.8-kWh battery, this means the crossover can travel for up to 253 miles on a charge. Though not class-leading, this is still a competitive range. Charging the battery is also quick, thanks to the 11 kW onboard charger. Using a Level 2 charger, you can go from depleted to fully charged in just under seven hours. A fast charger can get the battery from 10% to 80% in under 45 minutes.