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Kia e-Niro Test Drive

Organizing events for electric cars and boats, as well as promoting an environmentally friendly lifestyle, makes it inevitable to take significant steps toward a greener life. Moreover, it feels inappropriate to drive to a client meeting in a conventional fuel-powered car. Through these experiences, I’ve gained a clear understanding of the challenges one might face when traveling with an electric vehicle, leading to the establishment of specific criteria for evaluating a potential future vehicle.

The chosen vehicle should be 100% electric, as the benefits of plug-in hybrids have proven to be less than expected compared to fully electric models. It should have a long range on a single charge, as traveling by car is a passion, but frequent stops for charging are less desirable. The vehicle must be available for purchase in Estonia to ensure access to a local service center and simplify leasing procedures. Additionally, the charging plug must conform to European, not Japanese, standards. Given that the typical family consists of five members, spaciousness and ample storage capacity are crucial, especially since the trunk needs to accommodate a stroller alongside regular luggage. And, of course, aesthetics are non-negotiable! Price is another important factor, as the cost of electric vehicles can sometimes reach staggering heights due to the expensive batteries. The Kia e-Niro appeared to be a promising option!

Range vs. Comfort

One of the major factors favoring the e-Niro was its range of at least 400 km. Some reviews even mention that the car can cover up to 500 km with power to spare (even with the air conditioning running). There aren’t many electric vehicles with such a long range, and the e-Niro isn’t bad-looking either. So, a test drive was in order.

Sitting in the e-Niro, the initial impression was positive. Upon starting the car, a pleasant melodic sound played (especially enjoyable in an echoing garage!), and it turns out this sound can accompany the car throughout the drive if desired. However, the noise inside the cabin was quite noticeable, and if this vehicle were to be taken home permanently, proper sound insulation would be necessary. Another concern was the high seating position, which couldn’t be adjusted lower. The driving experience was enjoyable, but accelerating and pushing the pedal to the floor resulted in some unsettling steering wheel movement. The fact that the e-Niro is front-wheel drive raised some doubts, especially considering winter conditions and occasional trips to the countryside where all-wheel drive would be more practical. If the other aspects had been outstanding, this criterion might have been overlooked. Until trying out the Hyundai Kona, the e-Niro’s “cockpit” seemed quite ergonomic, but the Kona proved to be even better. Surprisingly, the e-Niro surpasses the more luxurious Jaguar I-Pace in this regard. The I-Pace has many buttons that initially feel awkward. The fewer buttons, the better, and transferring most controls to a touchscreen allows for updates and additional features even after purchase. Unfortunately, of the electric vehicles available here, only Tesla offers this feature.

kia-e-niro-back

Picking up a few passengers along the way, their impressions were also considered. After all, the comfort of fellow travelers is important too. Although the car seems spacious enough, installing a child’s car seat was a challenge due to limited space between the front seat and the child’s seat. The stroller fit nicely in the trunk, fulfilling an important criterion! Adjusting the passenger seats revealed that only the driver’s seat is electric. Contrary to expectations, the sunroof was almost non-existent, and the sunroof cover was manual rather than electric. The same goes for the trunk lid, which seems odd for an electric car! Several questions arose regarding innovation; for instance, to connect the car’s display to a phone, a cable is required—this feels outdated! An electric car should be cool, innovative, user-friendly, and geared toward a younger generation.

Reflecting on all these factors, the cost of the e-Niro is relatively affordable compared to more luxurious models. It appears that some features were sacrificed to keep the price down, and considering the price point, it’s hard to expect more. However, if the solid Jaguar I-Pace is considered, while it is comfortable and accelerates well, the best word to describe it might be “bulky.” An ideal electric car should be sleek and playful!

Despite its shortcomings, the e-Niro would still be preferable to a conventional car. It offers features that a fuel-powered vehicle simply cannot match, no matter how luxurious it is. In addition to its economy—driving in eco mode with regenerative braking set to the highest level and unnecessary systems turned off, it was possible to drive 8 km while using only 2 km worth of battery power—it also has better acceleration than most conventional cars, though it doesn’t quite match Tesla in this respect. Another strong point for Kia is the 7-year warranty!

Is the e-Niro the right car? Is an electric car even the right choice?

Purchasing an electric vehicle would require an additional investment in a home charger. However, it’s worth noting that electric vehicles are almost maintenance-free—an electric car has far fewer moving parts, hundreds of times less than an internal combustion engine, and of course, running costs are very low. Public charging stations are also becoming more common and easy to find through mobile apps, so longer routes shouldn’t be a concern. Additionally, electric cars are very simple and quiet. Residents of Tallinn will be pleased to know that fully electric vehicles can use bus lanes. And most importantly, owning an electric car might help make the world a better place by reducing CO2 emissions. The unusual snowless winter we’ve just experienced is a clear sign that everyone should contribute.

The drive with the e-Niro, unfortunately, didn’t inspire the expected excitement, so it was time to say goodbye after the test drive. However, the desire to own an electric car remains strong (the previous points clearly outline the reasons). It just has to be something extraordinary!