Cars

2025 Kia Niro EV Review: Range, Charging Speed, and Price

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

2025 Kia Niro EV Review: Range, Charging Speed, and Price

The 2025 Kia Niro EV arrives with renewed purpose, blending sleek design, advanced technology, and impressive electric efficiency into a compact crossover that's ready to compete in the ever-evolving EV market. As Kia continues to expand its electrified lineup, the Niro EV stands out as a compelling option for urban drivers and eco-conscious families seeking a balance between practicality, performance, and affordability. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into the 2025 Kia Niro EV’s range, charging capabilities, pricing, features, and overall value proposition to help you decide if it’s the right electric vehicle for your lifestyle.

Design and Exterior Features

The 2025 Kia Niro EV carries forward the modern, aerodynamic design language introduced in the previous generation while refining details for enhanced efficiency and presence. With a more aggressive front fascia, sleek LED lighting signatures, and a lower drag coefficient, the Niro EV looks both futuristic and functional. Its compact footprint makes it ideal for city driving, yet it retains enough space for comfortable five-passenger seating and practical cargo capacity.

Available in a range of vibrant colors including Interstellar Gray, Aurora Black, and Snow White Pearl, the 2025 Niro EV allows buyers to personalize their ride. Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, and frameless LED headlights with automatic high beams. The sloped roofline and flush door handles contribute to its clean lines and improved aerodynamics, helping maximize range without sacrificing style.

Interior Comfort and Technology

Step inside the 2025 Kia Niro EV, and you’re greeted with a minimalist, driver-focused cabin that emphasizes comfort and intuitive technology. High-quality materials, including recycled and sustainable fabrics, underscore Kia’s commitment to eco-friendly manufacturing. The interior is spacious for its class, with generous headroom and legroom in both front and rear seats.

At the heart of the dashboard is a dual 12.3-inch curved display that integrates the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. The UVO Link infotainment system runs on a faster processor and offers seamless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, wireless connectivity, and an available 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Kia has also improved voice recognition and navigation with real-time traffic and EV-specific routing that factors in your battery level and nearby charging stations.

Additional interior highlights include:

The cargo space stands at 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 49.2 cubic feet when folded—ample for groceries, weekend luggage, or outdoor gear.

2025 Kia Niro EV Range: How Far Can You Go?

One of the most critical factors for any electric vehicle is range, and the 2025 Kia Niro EV steps up with impressive efficiency. Thanks to a new 64.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, the Niro EV delivers an EPA-estimated 253 miles of all-electric range on a single charge. This marks a modest improvement over earlier models and places it competitively among rivals like the Hyundai Kona Electric (258 miles) and the Chevrolet Bolt EV (259 miles).

The range is particularly impressive given the Niro EV’s size and weight. Kia engineers optimized the powertrain and regenerative braking system to enhance energy recovery during deceleration. The car offers multiple drive modes—including Eco, Normal, and Sport—that allow drivers to tailor efficiency and performance to their driving conditions. In Eco mode, throttle response is softened, HVAC output is limited, and regenerative braking is intensified, all to stretch every kilowatt-hour.

Real-world testing suggests that drivers can expect around 230–245 miles in mixed driving, depending on weather, terrain, and driving habits. Cold weather can reduce range by up to 20%, but the available heat pump and preconditioning features help mitigate these losses. With preconditioning, you can warm the battery while the car is plugged in—using grid power instead of battery energy—so your range isn’t compromised when you start driving.

Charging Speed: How Fast Does the 2025 Niro EV Recharge?

Charging speed is another crucial aspect of EV ownership, and the 2025 Kia Niro EV delivers solid performance across charging types. It supports both AC and DC charging, making it suitable for home, public, and fast-charging networks.

Level 1 and Level 2 Charging (Home and Public AC Charging)

Using a standard 120-volt Level 1 charger, the Niro EV charges at a rate of approximately 3–4 miles of range per hour. This method is suitable for overnight top-ups but not practical for daily full recharges. For everyday use, a 240-volt Level 2 home charger is recommended. When paired with a 7.2 kW onboard charger, the Niro EV can add about 30–35 miles of range per hour, allowing for a full charge overnight (roughly 8–10 hours).

Kia includes a Level 1 charging cable with the vehicle, and optional Level 2 home charging equipment can be purchased through Kia or third-party suppliers. The Niro EV also integrates with major charging networks like ChargePoint, Electrify America, and EVgo via the UVO app.

DC Fast Charging: On-the-Go Refueling

The 2025 Niro EV supports up to 105 kW DC fast charging, which enables rapid replenishment on long trips. Using a compatible DC fast charger, the battery can go from 10% to 80% in approximately 50–55 minutes. This makes it ideal for road trips where minimizing downtime is key.

While not as quick as some rivals offering 150–200 kW charging (like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Tesla Model 3), the Niro EV’s charging speed remains competitive, especially for a compact EV in its price range. Kia has also improved thermal management to maintain charging efficiency even in extreme temperatures, reducing tapering during hot or cold weather.

Additionally, the Niro EV features a Charge Time Estimator in the navigation system, which predicts arrival charge levels and suggests optimal charging stops—making long-distance travel easier to plan.

Performance and Driving Dynamics

The 2025 Kia Niro EV is powered by a single front-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. While not a performance-oriented EV like the Polestar 2 or Tesla Model Y, the Niro EV offers brisk acceleration for daily driving, going from 0 to 60 mph in around 7.4 seconds. The power delivery is smooth and linear, and the low center of gravity from the floor-mounted battery contributes to composed handling.

Steering is light and precise, making the Niro EV easy to maneuver in tight urban environments. The suspension has been tuned for comfort, absorbing bumps and uneven pavement with ease. While it leans slightly in hard cornering, the overall driving experience is confident and accessible for most drivers.

The regenerative braking system has been refined for 2025. Drivers can adjust the strength using paddle shifters behind the steering wheel or set it to automatically adapt based on traffic and road conditions. In higher settings, the car can achieve one-pedal driving, allowing you to slow and stop without using the brake pedal in most situations.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Safety is a top priority in the 2025 Kia Niro EV, which comes standard with Kia’s comprehensive Driver Attention Warning Plus (DAW+) and a wide suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) under the Kia Drive Wise umbrella.

Key safety features include:

The 2025 Niro EV is expected to earn top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), building on the strong safety record of previous models.

Pricing and Trim Levels

The 2025 Kia Niro EV offers excellent value in the compact electric SUV segment. Pricing starts at $43,990 for the base EX trim (including destination fee), making it more affordable than many competitors while still offering a robust feature set.

Available trim levels for 2025 include:

EX Trim – $43,990

GT Line – $47,590

Premium Trim – $49,890

It’s important to note that the 2025 Kia Niro EV is eligible for the federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 under the Inflation Reduction Act, provided the buyer meets income and price requirements. Additionally, many states offer rebates and incentives that can further reduce the effective purchase price.

Comparison with Competitors

How does the 2025 Kia Niro EV stack up against other electric compact SUVs? Let’s compare it to key rivals:

Kia Niro EV vs. Hyundai Kona Electric

The Kona Electric offers slightly more range (258 miles) and a lower starting price (~$41,000), but the Niro EV counters with a roomier interior, more cargo space, and a more refined ride. Both share similar powertrains, but the Niro feels more upscale and family-friendly.

Kia Niro EV vs. Chevrolet Bolt EV

The Bolt EV has a longer range (259 miles) and a lower starting price (~$26,500), but it lacks the modern tech, safety suite, and premium feel of the Niro EV. The Bolt also has a smaller cargo area and less advanced charging capabilities.

Kia Niro EV vs. Tesla Model Y

The Model Y offers superior performance, longer range (up to 330 miles), and faster charging (250 kW), but it starts at around $43,990 and quickly climbs above $50,000 with options. The Niro EV can’t match Tesla’s Supercharger network or performance, but it provides better value in terms of standard features and interior comfort for families.

Kia Niro EV vs. Nissan Ariya

The Ariya starts higher (~$43,190) and offers AWD and more power, but its range is lower (216–267 miles depending on trim). The Niro EV is more affordable, lighter, and more efficient, though the Ariya has a more futuristic interior.

Overall, the 2025 Kia Niro EV strikes a sweet spot between affordability, efficiency, and daily usability.

Ownership Costs and Warranty

Electric vehicle ownership typically translates to lower operating costs, and the 2025 Kia Niro EV is no exception. With no oil changes, fewer moving parts, and regenerative