2023 Kia Niro EV Review

Nowadays, the selection of C-segment pure electric vehicles in the Malaysian market is growing, and consumers want to balance practicality for daily commuting with sufficient features and adequate range. The updated 2023 Kia Niro EV targets precisely this demand segment — its core selling points are the official 407 km range, a wealth of standard intelligent features, and balanced spatial characteristics, aiming to stand firm in the competition. We got our hands on the actual car this time to see if its static experience is user-friendly, whether its dynamic driving meets the home-use positioning, and whether those features truly deliver on their promise.

Starting with the appearance, the overall design of the 2023 Niro EV leans towards a rounded aesthetic without losing its distinctiveness. The front end features a closed design with Kia's signature tiger-nose grille outline, flanked by sharp LED headlight assemblies. The daytime running lights extend in a zigzag pattern, enhancing its high recognition when illuminated. The car's side profile has smooth lines with a slight upward trend from front to rear, and the concave design at the bottom of the doors adds layers to the styling. The 17-inch wheels are simple in design, paired with 215/55 R17 tires, making them fit for a family car. At the rear, the highlights include the through-type LED taillights with a Kia logo embedded in the center, while the lower bumper is designed simply, with no excessive decorations, achieving an overall coordinated and pleasing look.

Stepping inside, the interior layout is clear and organized. The center console is angled towards the driver, with a 10.25-inch central control screen connected to the fully digital instrument panel. The operation logic is straightforward, and the system response speed is relatively fast. In terms of materials, the top of the center console is wrapped in soft materials, and there’s leather covering the inner side of the door panels, providing a good tactile experience. In terms of features, a HUD heads-up display comes standard, allowing the driver to check speed and navigation information without looking down. The front seats support electric adjustment and offer moderate side bolstering, ensuring comfort even during long drives. The rear row includes air conditioning vents and a 220V power outlet, catering to rear passengers' needs. For storage space, the front central armrest box has ample volume, the door storage pockets can hold water bottles, and the trunk provides a standard capacity of 63.7 liters, which can be expanded by folding the rear seats. It’s sufficient for holding a few suitcases or a baby stroller for everyday use.

In terms of spatial performance, the dimensions of the vehicle are 4,420mm in length, 1,824mm in width, and 1,570mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,717mm. These dimensions place it in the mainstream of the C-segment. With the front seats adjusted to a comfortable position, a passenger with a height of 175 cm would still have one fist and two fingers of headroom. In the rear, there is about two fists of legroom, with one fist of headroom. The nearly flat flooring in the middle means three people can sit without feeling crowded. The seat padding is moderately soft, with a backrest angle that is reasonable, ensuring comfort for long trips.

For dynamic driving, the Niro EV is equipped with a 150 kW front motor, delivering a maximum horsepower of 201 PS and torque of 255 N·m. The power response is immediate at startup, with noticeable push-back even under light throttle input. It handles overtakes during daily urban commutes with ease. Switching to sport mode makes acceleration more aggressive, while highway overtaking remains sufficient. In economy mode, the power output becomes more subdued, ideal for daily commuting. The steering feels light with good directional accuracy. The body roll is well-controlled during cornering, while the suspension system — a combination of front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link — effectively absorbs minor road bumps. On encountering speed bumps or larger potholes, the suspension rebounds quickly and avoids excessive shaking, achieving a good balance between comfort and stability.

In terms of range, we tested it under mixed road conditions, including city traffic and highways, with the air conditioning on throughout. The final range achievement rate was approximately 85%, and the 65kWh battery can actually cover around 340 kilometers, making it sufficient for weekly commuting with a single charge. Fast charging takes 6 hours from 0 to 100%, which, while not particularly fast, is still very convenient for overnight charging at home using a slow charger. Noise control is well done; at speeds under 80 km/h, wind and tire noise are almost inaudible. On the highway, tire noise increases slightly but does not affect normal conversation. The energy recovery system has three adjustable levels, and at the highest level, releasing the accelerator pedal noticeably decelerates the car, enabling almost single-pedal driving, which helps somewhat with range.

In terms of safety features, the Niro EV comes standard with 8 airbags, lane departure warning, active braking, lane-change assist, and other functions. In actual tests, the forward collision warning system responded promptly, and the active braking effectively avoided minor collisions at low speeds. These features add a lot of safety to daily driving.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2023 Niro EV lies in its balance—it offers rich and practical features, adequate space, solid range, and dynamic performance that matches its family-oriented positioning. Compared to models in the same class like the ID.3 or Leaf, it comes with more comprehensive features and a more competitive price. It is a good fit for families focusing on practicality, those who value a balance of features and range, or commuters looking for a worry-free fully electric car. If your needs include daily commuting and the occasional long trip, without compromising on features, the Niro EV is a great choice.