07:54 Niro EV has i-Pedal mode (One pedal driving) like Ioniq 5 and EV6. And you can use regen when you pulling paddle shifter too. Only HEV doesn't have i-Pedal.

According to the Niro EV owner's manual, the vehicle DOES have an i-Pedal mode. Here is the text from the manual page 6-15... "i-Pedal is controlled by the accelerator pedal. i-Pedal provides vehicle speed control (acceleration/deceleration, stopping) without manually controlling the paddle shifter. To operate: 1. Pull the left side paddle shifter to level 3 regenerative braking system. 2. Pull the left side paddle once again when the regenerative braking level is 3. Check i-Pedal indicator on the instrument cluster." To further complicate matters, page 6-14 of the manual describes "One pedal driving" which is what you were describing where you pull and hold the left paddle to slow the vehicle with max regen. Here is the info from the manual... "One pedal driving" The driver can stop the vehicle by pulling and holding the left side paddle shifter. To operate: - Pull and hold the left side paddle shifter while coasting. - When the vehicle speed is above 2 mph (3 km/h), release the paddle shifter to return to the previously set level." So, in essence, there are 2 modes of one-pedal operation via the left paddle shifter. i-Pedal: Pull and release left paddle until level 3 is indicated then pull and QUICKLY RELEASE it once more to enable/disable i-Pedal mode. One pedal driving: Pull and HOLD left paddle when in level 0..3 regen to slow the vehicle manually with max regen. There is also an "Auto" regen mode that is toggled on/off by holding the right paddle shifter. When enabled, the vehicle uses the front facing radar to automatically adjust the level of regen based on vehicle speed & distance to objects in front of the vehicle. There is a setting via the Infotainment screen where you set how strong the regen will be when in Auto mode. This vehicle ticks all the boxes for flexible regen operation and is one of the main reasons that I'm interested in it. Cheers!

To clarify, the $7,500 government incentive on new EVs is a tax credit, not a rebate. In order to get the full $7,500 on a qualifying EV (what qualifies is very confusing; check government websites on this), you must have at least $7,500 tax liability. So if you have less tax liability on your federal income tax return, you will only get as much credit as your liability. For many people, including me, that would be less than $7,500.

Really guys? The Niro EV is a hatchback!! No need to create a new category…come on guys…love my Niro EV BTW (2022). Sold two Teslas (3 and Y) and got this as my kids were learning to drive and the Tesla was off the table! We LOVE it!!! Best EV we’ve owned. We don’t do long trips, so no need for fast charging. Not sure why it’s only rated at 239 miles. We easily get over 300 in the best weather conditions. Right now in the winter, we’re getting about 245…still above the rating…We’ve had ZERO issues with it since we bought it. Perfect commuter and teenager car. And LOVE LOVE LOVE the paddles for regen adjusting. The one pedal option with the paddle is great. It’s like playing a video game…don’t miss the one pedal from my Teslas. FWIW, I previously had the PHEV version and didn’t care for it…clunky DCT, loud, and not much range, plus it sat lower…EV sits higher to fit the batteries. The double duty touch button row is the dumbest thing Kia has probably ever done…not sure why they did it. Thankfully, my 2022 doesn’t have that…all hard buttons! It’ll go away next iteration no doubt.

The panel is in every new Kia product not just Niro. You can set infotainment or climate to default so you don't need to check each time (check owners manual). Say infotainment is set as default, you only need to push to change climate. After a few seconds it switches back to default (infotainment). It's quite easy to set. They also include steering wheel controls for the system.

0:43 personally I find it really easy to define once you think of it this way "it's a kia soul that's one size bigger" so it's a practical focused, stylish, affordable hatchback, that's comfortable to get in and out of.

Great show, I always learn something watching your show.

My current interest is with the plug-in hybrid version of the Niro. It seems to be a good compromise between the hybrid and full EV. Better acceleration than the hybrid, better range than the EV, and priced somewhere between the two others. Also, from other reviews I’ve seen it seems the extra weight of the larger battery gives it an edge handling wise over the hybrid only. Then, throw in the 30ish mile EV only range for short commutes and this is the version I would pick.

EV reviews should have at least one EV owner on the panel. We have had a Niro EV since 2019. It is a great car and the 2023 has a bunch of improvements.

That @20:00 clip is really bring me to a very important question. That is a great test if CR can do the same test with RWD, FWD, front biased AWD, rear biased AWD, full-time 4wd, part-time 4wd in 4 high, EV FWD, EV AWD (if possible with same tires make and model since you cannot have same size). As Mike said this is a very important test and should have its own episode like the winter tire episode you gave last time. Please please do a traction test for us the viewers.

Good show thanks 👍

The 24 has a hitch for a heavy duty bike rack?

You need to hold both paddles for a few seconds to engage i-pedals

Love the new hair, Jen!

Although SUVs often have standard AWD these days, I think it is a stretch to say a vehicle must have AWD or 4WD to be considered an SUV. Many SUVs on the road are FWD or RWD only, like the Ford Escape and Chevy Suburban for example.

It has 1 pedal driving/ You do a quick .5 second on the regen paddle then the i pedal shows on the screen/ It works

The capacitive touch buttons get easier after the first week of ownership. You can also long press either button and it will allow you to select the default mode, radio or HVAC.

When was the last time a car got the acutal rated EPA mileage?

Your staff MUST master the use of the regen paddles on the steering column. In warm weather (above 75 degrees) I get a real-world 340 miles in my Niro-EV on a full battery in Eco mode. You use the paddles to switch rapidly from coasting to regen-resistance and back every few seconds. Approaching a traffic light I click the left paddle once, twice, a third time (two second intervals) and then squeeze the hand-paddle and the car ABSOLUTELY will stop w/o you touching the brake pedal. With practice you will do it w/o thinking.

Grew up on rear wheel drive cars. Till 1987. Bought an old ford fiesta. It worked ok in the snow but so tiny! Loved my Mazda protoge. But now seek out rear or all wheel drive (grew up in upstate ny)

Regen is great in the winter, too.

I test drove a 2023 Niro EV this week and was quite impressed. Here in southern California dealers are asking $4,000 over MSRP, and the car isn't eligible for the $7,500 tax credit when you purchase it (rather than lease). Unfortunately, the Niro EV doesn't seem to be a particularly good value right now.

What!! Jennifer not in the driver's seat?!? Great presentation!

Thank you for the review, as a ‘22 Niro EV owner I’m quite interested in the updates on the ‘23’s. A couple of thoughts to respond to in your discussions: Why a Niro over an Ionic 5? The Niro is significantly more efficient, often 1 mi/kwh or more better than the Ionic 5. While the Ionic has a larger battery to make up for this, at an auto show I attended recently the Niro EV had a longer EPA range than the EV6 on display (just verified this on their website too) despite a battery 13 kwh larger. Yes, certain versions of the EV6 have more range but overall effiecincy is lower in the EV6 and its sister car the nearly identical Ionic 5 (which is even less efficient than the EV6 from tests I’ve watched) One more point, a front wheel drive EV in the snow uphill…the weight shift while climbing moves that EV weight advantage to the rear and I’ve had a dicey situation or two where I wasn’t sure if I would have enough momentum and traction to get to the top of the hill. I did thankfully, but from what I hear from RWD Tesla model S owners, they perform very well climbing in the snow because weight is on their side in that specific instance. (I have Blizzak’s on my Niro EV)

2:13 also fyi the UK is having a Horizon version Niro which will sit between the one I’m getting (previous post) and the EV3 with heated stuff .

I think it's also worth mentioning that electric motors can adjust power/torque instantly and many times per second in response to traction conditions. This is a substantial improvement over ICE vehicles that rely on ABS based traction control alone. I've driven my rear-wheel drive Model 3 in the snow (with proper tires) and it's response to the conditions and loss of traction is astonishingly fast and effective.

One of my cars is a Ford C-max Energi PHEV. There was a Niro that parked in the charging parking lot with me. I found the dimensions nearly identical. These cars, as you said, are in a class by themselves. Almost a sweet spot. But from a styling standpoint, many find them lumpy, or ugly. One advantage I found in my Ford is the easy step in and out, making it a great shuttle for people with mobility challenges. As mentioned, the full electric version may not be as accessible.

12:40 - talking about switching back and forth on that panel. Seems like they could have a dedicated button on the steering wheel for that switching. press a button on the steering wheel that is easy to get muscle memory for and you don't have to take your eyes off the road as much.

Is charging network factored in at all in the Overall Score of an EV? If not, can CR at least rate Tesla vs. non-Tesla charging network reliability? Seems huge and odd that Overall Score would not take this into account.

Why didn't you check out the Niro PHEV as part of your review ? I find that model more interesting.

how does it compare to the hyundai kona ev ?

Ryan, look up traction control. EV's tend to have excellent traction control, so there is no issue with spinning tires off the line. Tesla's actual include a slip start option, to allow more slip in low traction conditions.

8:01 fyi it does have ipedal in the EV2 now anyway 👍

I think Consumer Reports should consider doing a subscribers-only podcast. Put it behind a paywall and give us a lot more detailed information.

My new Niro EV got I-pedal, so I don't get why yours don't?

Cost vs value Nero EV vs Bolt EUV?

As an EV owner, I can't get enough information on tires. Please, more EV-centric tire reviews, including comprehensive rolling resistance tires. In Europe, rolling resistance is one part of the ratings.

The Niro is exactly what a bolt is, a budget hatchback ev

Monty is the type of host that high-fives his own unintentional quips :) Why is Ford, GM, and Stellantis so slow to bring out EVs while Kia has one hit after another?

Jen, nice to see ya back, Live!! I think you were a bit excited though. Be the guest. The sheer amount of yups and rights was a little distracting.

Please do a BlueCruise video. When Sandy Munro tested BlueCruise, it would only stay in a highway lane for short distances and would disengage at the slightest curve. CR just rated it #1. Thanks!

These CR editors all seem reluctant to buy an EV. Not sure why, but the comment “I don’t want to worry about charging” is a good hint. I think some or all of them have off-street parking and therefore could install an L2 wall connector. Therefore charging would be easy and they truly would not have to think about it at all. I never even look at my SOC display, I just drive the car where ever I want an plug in at the end of the day. So, it is the road trips that are keeping these three editors from buying an EV. For CCS EVs, there can be “charge anxiety” with CCS chargers being out of order or not enough stalls to service the EV traffic. This shows the genius of Tesla’s supercharger network and their commitment to maintain it with high uptime and to keep expanding it faster than the traffic demand. The result is minimum “charge anxiety” for Tesla drivers, with the exception of holiday traffic requiring waiting for an open stall. Even in the latter case, with 8, 12, 20, or even 50 stalls the wait for one to open up is usually short. Hopefully Tesla will indeed open up their supercharger network to CCS EVs, as they already have in Europe. That should fix the “charge anxiety” issue for all EVs.

Niro EV has both i-pedal mode and snow mode which reduces initial the torque and accelleration curves.

The climate media can be set to revert to your favourite setting. As I don’t charge the temperature I set it to media so when I defogger the window it reverts to media. 👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🤠

I think model Y is the way to go.

I have the 2018 hybrid. It's been an excellent product. Nothing fancy, but comfortable, reliable and very economical.

So glad he has the sniffles and came in to work to share with the microphones

15:59. Jennifer who cares about hybrids doing 53 miles gallon when EVs can do 100+ miles per gallon (equivalent)?

Not enough time spent on the engine/transmission tech. Kia’s PHEV and HEV use a DCT transmission, which have been an issue for Kia. I wouldn’t trust them. The EV avoids that. Something to consider. They need to develop an eCVT tech with a planetary gear set if they want to keep the efficiency but increase reliability.

How has the lack of its qualification for the newest tax credit hampered its sales volume….

Why would an EV require break-in miles?

It sounds like they are actually guessing that the electric cars will work the same as gas powered cars. All I know is that both the FWD and RWD cars won't climb the mountain I live on in CT, which is 650 feet tall (and I live on top). When I had FWD cars like the Honda Accord and Saab 9-3 with snow tires, I could not get home on unplowed roads. I doubt any of these electric cars will either (maybe the AWD ones). I know my neighbors who do have one car that is electric, they don't drive them in the snow as they are afraid they won't get home. They drive their gas cars instead.

Niro Hybrid over EV because . . . good mpgs (50+), able to drive long distances (e.g., 500 miles) on a tank of gas, and only need to refuel within a few minutes to be able to continue on your journey. No sitting around for 30 to 45 minutes charging to be able to drive another 200 to 250 more miles. EVs are nice if you only need to charge at home (while paying your increased utility bill) and only drive locally.

Listen mate my MG4 doesn’t have a rear wiper so anything will be better than that 😂😂 9:05

Niro is a hatch with an inch higher clearance and wheel fender cladding because people are dumb enough to pay more for a CUV.

pretty scathing

I own a 2019 Kia hybrid. I like the car. It gets 55 mph as long as I stay away from agressive driving. However, I will never buy another KIA product because the service is BAD. It is worse than bad. This is the most money gouging operation going.

Niro would fall into the lost category the c-max and prius v fell into....good cars that get lost in manufacturers product mix.

Or move to California and install earthquake tires

Too chatty for my taste. Too long.

Maybe everyone take your Xanax before making your video. Seems like no one wants to wait for a person to finish talking.

Hyundai/Kia is a horrible company. I'll never buy any of their products, and I was born in Seoul.

That's one ugly car.