2026 Kia Niro EV Pricing, and Specs
Overview
If you want a small yet practical EV but don't need the latest and greatest powertrain and charging capabilities, the Kia Niro EV is worth a look. Its modern styling is just a bit different from the mainstream, and its small size makes it supremely maneuverable. Still, there's decent room inside for you and your stuff. It's no sports car, but the driving experience is appropriately relaxed, and the EPA estimates 253 miles on a charge—behind some competitors but still useful for daily driving. If you like the Niro's package but prefer something with a gas engine, check out the hybrid and plug-in-hybrid versions, which we review separately.
What's New for 2026?
There are no major changes to the Niro EV for this model year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Kia Niro EV is expected to start around $41,000 and go up to $46,000 depending on the trim and options.
Wind
$41,000 (est)
Wave
$46,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k
We'd stick with the entry-level Wind trim, as upgrading to the Wave model doesn't result in any increases in driving range or performance. Plus, the Wind comes standard with plenty of niceties, including a large 10.3-inch infotainment display with navigation, heated front seats, ambient interior lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, a host of driver-assistance features, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
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EV Motor, Power, and Performance
A single electric motor feeding the front wheels is the Niro EV's sole powertrain. Kia says this setup generates 201 horsepower, which makes it more powerful than the 139-hp hybrid and 180-hp plug-in-hybrid Niro sister models. In real-world driving, the Niro EV easily keeps up with city traffic and doesn't strain when merging onto the highway—so long as you don't have it in Eco mode. Floor the accelerator in Eco and the Niro EV veritably crawls, which is no doubt good for extending driving range but not great for your outlook on life. Normal and Sport driving modes let the Niro EV feel more alive. The Niro EV's steering is accurate and progressive, but the cornering grip is measurably lower than some rivals'—not that you would mistake the Niro for anything remotely sporty.
0–60-MPH Times
In our testing, the Niro EV took 6.7 seconds to reach 60 mph—not slow for a gas-engine vehicle, but relaxed by EV standards.
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Marc Urbano
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Car and Driver
More on the Niro EV SUV
Tested: 2023 Kia Niro EV Takes On the Chevy Bolt
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The Niro EV has an EPA-estimated range of 253 miles per charge. When connected to a DC fast charger the company says it can charge its 64.8-kWh battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 45 minutes—far from lightning quick. During our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, the Niro delivered a credible 210 miles of driving before needing to be recharged.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The EPA hasn't released fuel economy estimates for the 2026 Niro EV yet, but the 2025 model was rated for 126 MPGe city and 101 MPGe highway, which is much better than the most efficient Volkswagen ID.4 model. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV vehicle fuel efficiency. For more information about the Niro EV's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the Niro EV features a contemporary design that's peppered with eco-friendly materials; for instance, elements from eucalyptus leaves are used to make the seat coverings. Kia's designers have incorporated stylishly angled surfaces into the door panels and the top of the dashboard. The 10.3-inch digital instrument panel and handsome infotainment display highlight the cabin's technical vibe. The steering wheel has a distinctive two-spoke design, and the center console hosts a rotary shifter. Small-item storage is plentiful, with large door pockets and useful cubbies in the center console.
View Photos
Marc Urbano
|
Car and Driver
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 10.3-inch touchscreen acts as the central hub of the Niro EV's infotainment system. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, wireless charging and a Harman/Kardon stereo are extra-cost options. A digital key feature allows users to remotely access vehicle functions via their smartphone. Likewise, some functions can be controlled using voice-command services like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Niro EV includes a host of standard driver-assistance technology as well as some optional equipment. For more information about the Niro EV's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
While Kia's warranty coverage doesn't come with complimentary scheduled maintenance like models from its corporate counterpart, Hyundai, it does offer one of the best limited and powertrain plans in the industry.
Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
SPECIFICATIONS
2023 Kia Niro EV
Vehicle Type: front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE (C/D EST)
Base/As Tested: $33,000/$40,000
POWERTRAIN
Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC
Power: 201 hp @ 9000 rpm
Torque: 188 lb-ft @ 0 rpm
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 64.8 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 85 kW
Transmission: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: vented disc/disc
Tires: Nexen N Priz S EV
215/55R-17 94V M+S AK1
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 107.0 in
Length: 174.0 in
Width: 71.8 in
Height: 61.8 in
Passenger Volume: 100 ft3
Cargo Volume: 23 ft3
Curb Weight: 3715 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.2 sec @ 94 mph
100 mph: 17.6 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.6 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 106 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 182 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.84 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
75-mph Highway Range: 210 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 113/126/101 MPGe
Range: 253 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
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In an email, he said: 'They can be a successful niche player, but the odds of success are lower thanks to the bigger brands. They won't be able to compete in the consumer market but government/enterprise/military are all niche markets they can address.' To fund the expansion of his business, Weaver is trying to raise additional investment after taking in $16 million in funding over the years. Some of that money would go to fixing a shortcoming with his phones. Because they don't use Apple's iOS or Google's Android operating systems, they are incompatible with many of the most popular mobile apps like Uber. To get such apps work on its devices, Purism must make technical tweaks for each one. Purism can at least claim one small advantage over the giant companies that dominate the smartphone industry. If Trump's tariffs become permanent, it won't feel much impact from its U.S.-made phone, while the big players and their foreign-made devices could be hammered. 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