The 2022 Kia Niro EV is expected to be available in two trims for the new model year. The base EX trim will start at $39,790 while the EX Premium trim will push the prices past $45,350. Both trims will be offered with an identical single AC motor front-wheel-drive configuration with a 64 KW-hr battery pack. A standard 7.2kW charger will come packaged with the car. The 2022 Kia Niro EV will be also offered under a 10-year 100,000-mile warranty program, which is the best in the industry. Also, Federal tax credits on electric cars should knock off around $7,500 from the base MSRP.

For the upcoming model year, the Kia Niro EV will be made available with a host of standard features including an 8- touchscreen infotainment system with wireless phone connectivity features, 10-way power-adjustable seats, TFT driver information screen, and leatherette upholstery, automatic climate control system, projector headlights, and 17-inch alloy wheels, which are to name a few. Upgrading to the EX premium trim brings in a host of extra features like a bigger infotainment system, an 8-speaker premium Audio system, a sunroof, and ventilated seats which further raises its appeal.

Which trim should you buy?

The base 2022 Kia Niro EV comes loaded with all of the necessary equipment and also sports the full array of standard driver assistance systems. Considering that most of the prospective owners will be sticking within city limits with this SUV and primarily used it for commuting, spending almost 6 grand extra for the fully specced trim doesn’t sound sensible.

2022 Kia Niro EV Release date

Since there are no significant updates for the 2022 model year, we expect a silent transition to the updated model by the fourth quarter of this year with customer deliveries expected by year-end.

The 2022 Kia Niro EV, will house the same 64kW–hr battery from the current model year with an estimated range of about 239 miles on a full charge. The EPA estimated MPGe figures for the city, highway and combined driving cycle are 123, 102, and 112 miles respectively. If you are careful with your right foot, you could easily get over 220 miles from this machine which is pretty decent for a machine that primarily targets city commuting. The range does vary drastically to driving style and going hard on the throttle most of the time drains a lot of juice in no time. The brake regeneration does help in regaining the lost energy, but that can only do little. The steering mounted regeneration intensity control paddles are a nice addition and do bring in additional control over the recuperation cycle.

2021 MY data were taken for reference

Despite being at a massive disadvantage when it comes to battery capacity, the Tesla Model 3 with its energy-efficient motors and lightweight chassis manages to lead the pack with the best range of 263 miles. It is also the best when it comes to individual MPGe figures as well. The Kona and the Bolt stay close with an overall estimated range of about 258 and 259 miles, not that far off from the Tesla. The Niro EV, on the other hand, did disappoint us in this regard. Despite sporting the same configuration as the Kona EV, the 2022 Kia Niro EV falls by nearly 20 miles when it comes to maximum range and the 150-pound additional curb weight does not account for a drastic variation.

The 2022 Kia Niro EV will come with insides that are mostly unchanged from the model it is replacing. Even though it is not the most visually pleasing place to be in, “easy” would be the keyword that we would use to define the layout. Unlike the exterior, the cabin does replicate conventional design elements and uses a myriad of buttons, making sure that you have got every control at one arm's reach instead of burying everything under some clumsy touchscreen. A color 7-inch driver information screen and an 8-inch infotainment system bring every piece of information to your eye line, both of which are some of the most functional ones we have come across.

Synthetic leather and cloth combination upholstery come in as standard. Seats on both rows are some of the widest in its class and offer excellent head and legroom as well. The front seats get 10-way of power adjustment and 2-ways power lumbar support while also offering heating function. Only a single zone climate control system is on offer here but the additional rear vents make sure that the rear occupants stay easily comfortable. The floorboard is set a bit high due to the battery pack and it does affect the under-thigh support. At 18.5 cu-ft, the cargo area is also one of the biggest in its class.

2021 MY data were taken for reference

The 2022 Kia Niro EV offers the best compromise between cabin room and cargo volume in this comparison. It also has the best second-row experience offering the widest shoulder room and best knee room. The Model 3 is comparable to the 2022 Kia Niro EV when it comes to cabin spaces but falls short when it comes to cargo volume. The Kona EV meanwhile is the smallest car here when it comes to usable cabin space but scores high when it comes to its huge, class-leading 19.2 cu-ft. cargo hold. Some standout interior features expected on the 2022 Kia Niro EV are;

• Supervision 7-inch TFT Driver information center
• 8-inch/10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Synthetic/artificial leather upholstery
• 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating function
• Leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel with manual adjustment
• Interior Mood Lighting (EX Premium)
• Single-zone automatic climate control
• Day-night rearview mirror
• Drive mode with paddle shifters
• Satin chrome inside door handles

What’s there to keep you entertained?

As standard, the2022 Kia Niro EV will come with an 8-inch infotainment system coupled with a standard 6-speaker audio system. The user interface is slick and it is pretty intuitive to navigate through. It has support for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with wireless connectivity out of the box. Bluetooth hands-free technology with steering mounted controls also comes in as standard.

Going for the EX Premium trim upgrades the infotainment screen to a 10.25–inch unit and the audio system to a premium 8-speaker Harman Kardon one with a subwoofer. Also, the inbuilt wireless charging dock makes sure that you won’t drain the phone using the wireless connectivity features. Some standout infotainment features expected on the 2022 Kia Niro EV are;

• 8-inch / 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 6-speaker standard / 8speaker premium audio system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth hands-free
• Steering mounted controls
• Reverse camera with dynamic guidelines

The 2022 Kia Niro EV does scream EV at the first glance that you take at it. This might be a good thing or bad, but in our opinion, they could have gone a bit less reserved. The fully enclosed ‘aerodynamic’ signature tiger-nose grille is an instant giveaway that it is not your regular cup of tea and this portion, by the way, houses the dock for the fast charger as well. The side profile is rather blunt and the rear end reminds you of some Hyundai. The black integrated spoiler does induce a bit of sportiness while the blue exterior accents exude its eco-friendliness.

Halogen headlamps and fog lamps are such a bummer, especially when energy efficiency is the primary aspect you are trying to convey here. The rearview mirrors get a heating function and have got integrated blinkers on them. The 17-inch flat design is reminiscent of its EV roots. Heated rear glass, automatic headlamps, sound-absorbing windshield, rear privacy glass, power-folding mirrors, and an optional sunroof are all part of the package for the coming model year.

2021 MY data were taken for reference

Going by what we know so far, the 2022 Kia Niro EV will be the heaviest car in its class. That added size does translate to better cabin room and a boot volume but takes a hit in the performance and efficiency department. The Tesla is the biggest car here when it comes to other exterior dimensions and sure does feel like it is on the inside only compromising on boot space. The Kona electric and the Bolt EV have identical wheelbase, but it’s the Chevy that offers better cabin space while the Hyundai leads when it comes to the luggage area. Some standout exterior features expected on the 2022 Kia Niro EV are;

• Projector headlamps with LED running lights
• Automatic headlamps
• Front fog lights
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Heated mirrors with integrated blinkers
• Roof-mounted rear spoiler
• Rear glass heater with wiper
• Solar control glass with rear privacy glass
• Rear LED combination brake lights (EX Premium)
• Panoramic Sunroof (EX Premium)

We do not have any official safety ratings on the 2022 Kia Niro EV as of now, but going by the trend it should fair up to be decent. The hybrid counterpart of the Kia Niro EV, which its shares most of its chassis with, did score an overall “good” rating from the IIHS and was also awarded a 4-star safety rating by the NHTSA, both for the 2021 model year. This should negate all the questions on the safety aspects of the 2022 Kia Niro EV. Also, Hyundai has plonked in a lot of advanced driver assistance features as standard for the coming model year. Some standout safety and driver assistance features expected on the 2022 Kia Niro EV are;

• Pedestrian warning system
• Blind-spot collision warning
• Rear cross-traffic collision warning
• Forward collision assist
• Forward collision avoidance assist with cyclist detection
• Lane keep assist
• Smart cruise control
• Lane follow assist
• Highway driving assist
• Brake assist system
• Hill-start assist system

2022 Kia Niro EV vs 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric

One could not go wrong when saying that the 2022 Kia Niro EV is just a bigger version of the Hyundai Kona EV. It is true to an extent and the underlying powertrain is identical. Except for the cabin size, the Kona EV absolutely takes it away from the 2022 Niro EV.

The former starts at a considerably lower price tag offer better performance and the economy and even has the bigger boot. So, the question raises; are big seats worth the extra $5000 odd cash? We think not.

2022 Kia Niro EV vs 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV

 Even though the Chevrolet Bolt EV starts at a considerably lower price tag, there is little or no reason to choose it over the Niro electric. For starters, the 2022 Kia Niro EV does belong to a better class and does bring along with its advantages such as space and practicality.

Also, there is nothing standing in between these two when it comes to real-world economy and performance. So, for those who are looking for a well-rounded EV package, the 2022 Kia Niro EV should make more sense.

The new Kia Niro EV is an electric SUV that offers the best compromise between size, performance, and practicality. With a silent cabin, comfortable seating, and over 240-miles of range, it has got what it takes to be a sensible city commuter. You are not really missing out on any feature as this SUV is stuffed with creature comfort equipment and advanced safety features like any other car in this price range. Add to this, with the added convenience of being able to charge your car at home like your phones, the 2022 Kia Niro EV genuinely is worth a look for anyone probing for a new daily driver.