The new 2019 Kia Niro EV opens a world of new possibilities for consumers who love crossover characteristics but also want all the benefits electric vehicles have to offer. Not only can they have all the functionality of a traditional crossover, but they can have it while happily driving past filling stations.
POWERTRAIN AND BATTERY
Energy and power for the 2019 Kia Niro EV comes from a liquid-cooled 64-kWh lithium ion polymer battery that is packaged under the floor of the vehicle to allow for minimal passenger space intrusion. Fast charging rates are brief, so even extended road trips can continue after only short charging intervals. Some specifications and features of the Niro EV battery and powertrain include:
201-horsepower electric motor with 291 lb.-ft. of torque
Charging protocol changed to CCS and battery can now charge at 100-kW
Combined Charging System (CCS) DC fast-charge is standard equipment – approximately 100-mile recharge in 30 minutes or 80 percent total battery capacity in 75 minutes
Level 2 (240v) at 7.2 kWh charger needs approximately 9.5 hours for a full charge
With 291 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2019 Kia Niro EV powerful electric motor offers plenty of pull and, well, electrifying get-up-and-go. Add to that a low center of gravity due to the floor-mounted battery pack and a 106.3 inch-long wheelbase, the Niro EV delivers a vehicle that’s entertaining to drive, stable and feels planted and substantial on the road. Of course, driving style affects the amount of energy expended, and the Niro EV is equipped with a variety of tools that put lots of useful energy management control in the driver’s hands, including:
Four drive modes – Eco, Normal, Sport and Eco+ – that automatically adjust regenerative braking level, air conditioning and heating settings, and even set speed limits to help manage operating efficiency
Smart regenerative braking operated via paddle shifters provides drivers the ability to slow the car and capture kinetic energy, returning energy to the battery and adding extra range. Drivers can choose from four regen braking levels (0 to 3) depending on how aggressive drivers want the regen effort and energy efficiency (range) needs
Brake and Hold System feature allows regen paddle shifter to bring the car to a full stop, adding energy to the battery that would be lost using normal braking
Smart Regen System adjusts the regenerative braking level based on a vehicle being detected in front of the Niro EV and can create smoother coast-down driving, especially when descending a steep road
Smart Eco Pedal Guide display on the instrument cluster that helps to keep the driver aware of real-time power distribution based on accelerator pedal input
2019 Kia Niro EV Specifications | |
Motor Type | Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
Voltage | 356V |
Horsepower | 201 hp / 3,800-8,000 rpm (150 kW / 3,800-8,000 rpm) |
Torque | 291 lb.-ft. / 0-3,600 rpm (395 N*m / 0-3,600 rpm) |
Electrical System | |
Battery Type | Lithium Ion Polymer Battery (LIPO) |
Battery Voltage (V) | 356V |
Battery Capacity (Ah) | 180 Ah |
Battery Energy (kWh) | 64 kWh |
Battery Power (kW) | 170 kW |
Battery Weight (lbs.) | 1,008 lbs. |
Drivetrain | FWD |
Transmission Type | Gear Reduction Unit |
Performance | |
Max. Speed (mph) | 103.8 mph |
0 - 62.1 mph | 7.8 |
49.7 - 74.6 mph | 5.0 |
62.1 - 0 mph | 137 ft. |
Charging | |
On-board charger (OBC) | 7.2 kW |
Port locations | Behind front grille |
Level 1, AC charge with in Cable Control Box (ICCB) | 59 hours (120V) |
Level 2, AC charge with Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) | 9 Hours 35 Min (7.2 kW) |
DC fast charge with Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) to 80% charge | 1 Hour 15 Min (50 kW) |
DC fast charge with Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) to 80% charge | 1 Hour (100 kW) |
Energy Efficiency | |
All Electric Range (miles) | 239 miles |
City | 123 |
Highway | 102 |
Combined | 112 |
Exterior Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 106.3 in. |
Length | 172.2 in. |
Width | 71.1 in. |
Height, without roof rails | 61.4 in. |
Height, with roof rails | 61.8 in. |
Track, front/rear | 62.0 in. / 62.4 in. |
Overhang, front/rear | 34.8 in. / 31.1 in. |
Min. ground clearance | 6.1 in. |
Interior Dimensions | |
Head room, front/rear (in.) | 40.1/37.7 |
Leg room, front/rear (in.) | 41.7/36.0 |
Shoulder, room front/rear (in.) | 56.0/55.1 |
Hip room, front/rear (in.) | 53.7/48.3 |
Luggage capacity, rear seats upright with luggage under tray | 18.5 cu. ft. |
Luggage capacity, rear seats folded with luggage under tray | 53.0 cu. ft. |
Luggage capacity, passenger volume | 96.6 cu. ft. |
EXTERIOR & INTERIOR
First to arrive as a hybrid, then in 2017 the Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and now a fully-electric powertrain. This battery-electric Niro EV is right on trend as consumers shift more and more to electric vehicles while looking for the attributes of crossovers, such as the higher seating position for easy ingress/egress and better visibility, and the utility and function for varied lifestyles (18.5 cu.-ft. of cargo space and 53 cu.-ft. with the backseat folded). In order to provide the 2019 Kia Niro EV its own character, it has several unique exterior and interior design cues, including:
Unique front fascia with closed off grille – no need for an open grille, since there’s no internal combustion engine to cool
LED Daytime Running Lights
New lower air intake with EcoDynamics blue surround accent
Specially-designed 17-inch alloy wheels engineered to help reduce drag and improve efficiency
Reshaped rocker panels
Revised front and rear bumper fascias with blue trim accents – unique to the Niro EV
High-tech rotary shifter dial (shift-by-wire) with available customizable “mood” lighting
Large, multi-functional center console with many storage options, cup holders, storage compartments and 3 USB ports – 2 charging and one connectivity
Niro EV-only seat upholstery with blue highlights
Available special blue and black high-tech “holographic” graphic door trim
TECH & SAFETY FEATURES
The 2019 Kia Niro EV is loaded with high-tech, advanced automotive technology to complement its status as a state-of-the-art, all-electric vehicle. Equipment includes the “Kia Drive Wise” suite of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, and a long list of standard and optional equipment, highlights of which are listed below.
7-inch color touchscreen with rear view monitor and parking guidance
6-speaker audio system (AM/FM/SiriusXM) with USB input
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto10
Standard wireless smartphone charging
Bluetooth wireless connectivity with voice recognition
7 airbags (dual front advanced air bags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, driver's side knee airbag)
Vehicle Safety Systems: Antilock braking, Traction control, Electronic stability control, Hill-start assist control, Tire pressure monitoring system
Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS): Forward Collision Warning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Driver Attention Warning, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning, Parking Distance Warning - Forward and Reverse
New for the 2019 Kia Niro EV is a revamped UVO telematics system that allows owners to monitor and control a long list of vehicle operations, including:
Notifications of battery and charging status
Real-time charging station update
Scheduled charging
Panic notifications – the vehicle will send a notification to the server if the panic alarm is triggered and the system dials 911 emergency services, provides the car position via GPS, and opens a live microphone so that emergency workers can communicate with the vehicle occupants
“Send-to-Car” points of interest (POI) and waypoints — owners will be able to plan a road trip with waypoints and send it to the vehicle’s navigation system
Pre-condition the vehicle cabin temperature prior to use18
TRIM LEVELS & PRICE
The new 2019 Kia Niro EV will be built in South Korea at Kia’s Hwaseong manufacturing facility, right alongside the Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid. When it goes on sale early next year (pricing will be announced near the on-sale date), the Niro EV will be available in two trims, EX and EX Premium, which adds a host of upscale features to the already well-equipped EX. Premium EX features include:
8-inch color navigation touchscreen
Power tilt/slide sunroof
LED headlamps
8-speaker Harman/Kardon premium audio system with external amplifier and subwoofer
Auto-dimming mirror with Homelink
Heated steering wheel
LED interior lighting
Mood lighting
Parking distance warning – forward and reverse
Deluxe scuff plate
