Tag Archives: Kia

electric, Family hatchback, Kia, Motoring

Is this Kia now the best value EV hatchback?

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Kia EV4 Air

By Bill McCarthy

Kia’s latest EV is a genuine head-turner, certainly for me, with a choice of models, excellent range and keen pricing, particularly the model tested here. It features eye-catching light clusters, LED star map lighting and daytime running lights.

The swooping bonnet line and sculpted flanks complete a striking design, rounded off by unique alloy designs. Not everyone will love the pop-out door handles – designed to sit flush for better aerodynamics, I certainly don’t.

What you get for the money

It is available in hatchback form driven here, and fastback form, with two battery options: a 58.3kWh standard range or an 81.4kWh long-range pack.

There are three grades – ‘Air’ (exclusive to the EV4), ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ – with six versions, all well equipped. Kia expects ‘GT-Line’ to be the most popular choice, even though the Air offers the best discount and plenty of standard kit. This entry-level Air model qualifies for the maximum Band 1 Government Electric Car Grant, raising the discount from £1,500 to £3,750 – a significant saving.

Space and practicality

Longer than direct rivals, with an extended wheelbase freeing up passenger space, yet still sleek despite almost tourer-like proportions. A sturdy boot grab handle is a small but thoughtful touch that makes closing the tailgate far less awkward.

The hatchback’s boot offers 435 litres with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,415 litres when the rear seats are folded 60:40, creating an almost flat load floor. It passed the ‘tip run’ test with flying colours. It comfortably accommodates most daily life necessities and maybe even the kitchen sink.

Interior and technology

Minimalist inside: the Air trim comes with quality cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats and a multi-function steering wheel. A column-mounted gear selector frees up centre console space. Move up the range and you get extra bells and whistles.

The cabin itself is light and airy with good head and legroom, though the sloping roofline reduces rear headroom for taller passengers.

Fixtures feel sturdy, though some plastics feel budget. Central is a 12.3-inch digital driver display and 12.3-inch touchscreen controlling infotainment, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and navigation. ~It is generally easy to use, though deeper menu dives frustrate, and the climate controls sit awkwardly between the two screens.

On the road

Virtually silent running, a smooth, comfortable ride and only some road and wind noise intruding.

Around 200bhp delivers plenty of pace – 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds – with good, well-planted handling and nicely weighted steering on twisting country lanes. On the motorway you could sit all day in comfort enjoying the impressive sound system.

This model’s larger 81kWh battery claims up to 372 miles. But a week’s running returned just over 4.1 miles per kWh – roughly 335 miles – achieved with high-speed motorway and significant night driving.

Equipment and safety

Impressive standard kit for the money: 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated leather-trimmed steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and a rear-view camera. Euro NCAP awarded the EV4 4 stars as standard and 5 stars with the optional DriveWise ADAS package.

Standard safety includes forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind spot collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control; the 5-star version adds enhanced radar for better pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Verdict

The EV4 Air is a sensible EV choice – good real-world range, generous space and a spacious boot in a distinctive design. Some hard plastics and awkward climate control placement are minor flaws. Accept the 4-star rating without the optional safety package and the Air trim delivers exceptional value.

Factfile

  • Model: Kia EV4 Air 81.4kWh
  • Price: £36,995 (OTR; £33,245 with Electric Car Grant)
  • Mechanical: 201bhp (150kW) front-mounted electric motor, 283Nm torque, drivng the front wheels
  • Max speed: 105 mph
  • 0 to 62mph: 7.5 sec
  • Range: 372 miles (WLTP)
  • Insurance group: 35D
  • CO2 emissions: 0 g/km
  • BiK rating: 4%
  • Warranty: 7yrs/100,000 miles (Kia UK standard)
Crossover, Electric/hybrid, Kia, Manufacturer

Kia on a charge with Niro

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Kia Niro Niro 1.6 GDi HEV ‘4’

By Bill McCarthy

The Kia success story keeps rolling on. Note the use of superstar Robert De Niro to promote sales of, guess what, the updated Niro.

The new self-charger here sits alongside the plug-in version and fully electric model and offers excellent economy of nearly 60mpg with the entry model and low carbon emissions from 110g/km.

The petrol-electric hybrid combo is mated with six-speed auto dual-clutch automatic gearbox, so much smoother that the traditional CVT,  with combined power output 139bhp.

With energy recovery via braking, the car can run for a short distance on electric only before engine and battery power start working in parallel again.

Now updated, it only seems to have been on the market for five minutes, the crossover/SUV comes with a three-mode grades, ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘4’ .

It is based on an all-new platform exclusively for electrified cars with batteries located under the rear seat for low centre of gravity and compactness.

It is a smart looking car, which Kia says overcomes the design limitations of other dedicated hybrids without sacrificing practicality, versatility and aerodynamic efficiency, which delivers a fuel-efficient design with a drag co-efficient (Cd) of 0.29, despite the standard roof rails.

Well, they would say that wouldn’t they? The truth is that most hybrid vehicles nowadays perform this feat, although maybe not as slippery through the air, but the Niro does have an attractive road presence.

It features the signature ‘tiger nose’ grille, new bumpers at the front and new light design to front and rear. The bumper design is finished with a silver-painted skid plate and incorporates new light reflectors and rear fog lamps in the corners.

The revised interior features high-end soft-touch finish to doors and dash, new gloss black trim with satin chrome highlights. 

‘A fine package all round with good economy, decent styling and a brand name that doesn’t deter buyers’

Central is the new 10.25-inch TFT widescreen for the main display on higher grades, which controls navigation, with European Mapping & Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC), connectivity and eight-speaker sound system plus, on this model, a seven-inch information screen behind the multi-function steering wheel.. 

The new UVO Connect Service offers Android and Apple connectivity as standard, giving access to navigation, music, hands-free calls and texts and voice recognition through those smartphone apps.

This range topper is packed with equipment including parking camera, electric sunroof, leather, powered front seats,  a full complement of safety kit.

These include collision avoidance with vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection, smart adaptive cruise control and lane assist, blind spot and rear cross traffic warning systems, which makes the sub-£30k price tag seem pretty attractive. The entry level model of just under £25k.

As a crossover, it needs to be practical, and it is with split/folding rear seats, integrated roof rails and various pockets and holders throughout. Boot space is decent despite having the battery to the rear end with easy-to load 373-litre rectangular boot and low loading lip.

On the road, the Niro is a car more designed for comfort and practicality than performance. The power units propel the car to 60mph in a fairly leisurely 11 seconds, via the smooth shifting dual clutch transmission. Switch to the paddles for a bit more fun, but economy is really the watchword with the claimed 54-odd mpg seeming pretty near the mark. However it is an extremely comfortable motorway cruiser.

Despite its relative height, it’s a family car that feels well planted and secure on corners with little evidence of body roll, with the softish suspension giving a comfortable ride for occupants.

A fine package all round with good economy, decent styling and a brand name that doesn’t deter buyers.

Add with that seven-year warranty then what’s not to like?

Factfile

Kia Niro Niro 1.6 GDi HEV ‘4’

Price: £29,600

Mechanical: 139bhp 1580cc petrol engine and electric motor driving front wheels via six-speed dual clutch auto gearbox

Max speed: 101mph

0-60mph: 11.1 seconds

Combined mpg: 54.3

Insurance group: 12E

CO2 emissions: 120g/km

Warranty: 7yrs/100,000 miles