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Kia Niro EV 2022 review

SUV Electric

Kia Niro EV 2022 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The first-generation Kia Niro electric was UK-badged the "e-Niro" throughout its 2019-2022 life (the "Niro EV" name only arrived with the second generation in late 2022) — but whatever the badge, it was the electric car that made long-range motoring affordable for British buyers. The 64kWh battery delivers a 282-mile WLTP range, the 204PS motor produces 395Nm of torque for a 7.8-second 0-62mph sprint, and real-world efficiency of around 4 miles per kWh was genuinely impressive. A smaller 39.2kWh '2' version with ~180 miles of range also existed, but the 64kWh cars are the ones to have.

UK trims by 2022 were '2', '3' and '4+' (after the single 'First Edition' launch), with indicative late-production OTR prices from about £35,045 for the '2 Long Range' to £39,695 for the '4+'. The '2' brought 17-inch alloys, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise and lane-keep assist; the '3' added a 10.25-inch sat-nav screen, full leather and heated seats; and the '4+' — the '+' denoting its 11kW three-phase AC on-board charger — added a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, JBL premium sound, ventilated front seats and ambient lighting.

Practicality is a genuine strength: 451 litres of boot space with the seats up (1,405 litres folded) matches the hybrid Niro, and the five-seat cabin is roomy for the class. Kia's 7-year/100,000-mile warranty transfers to subsequent owners, with the high-voltage battery guaranteed to 70% capacity over the same period — the best cover of any mainstream used EV of its era. One honest caveat: the e-Niro itself was never separately crash-tested by Euro NCAP, so it carries no official star rating (the 5-star 2016 score belongs to the conventional hybrid Niro).

As a used buy, 2022 cars start from around £14,000-£15,000 with high-spec '4' and '4+' cars reaching £18,000 — compelling against newer rivals costing far more. Before buying, listen for a clicking noise from the motor area (a worn gear-reduction drive bearing is the rarest but most worrying fault), check the charging flap operates properly, and confirm the DVSA recall for the Electric Power Control Unit coolant leak (R/2023/121, 2020 cars) was actioned if relevant. Thin paint prone to stone chips and occasional 12V-battery drain on unused cars are the other things used buyers flag.

UK price from: £35,045

Related buying guides:
Best electric cars UK
Best small SUVs UK

Specifications

Battery	64 kWh (usable)
Power	204 PS (201 bhp)
Torque	395 Nm
0-62 mph	7.8 seconds
Top speed	104 mph
Transmission	Single-speed automatic
Drive	Front-wheel drive
Range	282 miles (WLTP combined)
Efficiency	3.9 - 4.2 miles/kWh
Boot space	451 litres (1,405 seats folded)
Kerb weight	1,812 kg
Warranty	7 years / 100,000 miles (battery at 70% capacity)

Features

64kWh battery: 282-mile WLTP range with ~4 miles/kWh efficiency
204PS / 395Nm motor: 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, 104mph top speed
Kia 7-year/100,000-mile transferable warranty; battery guaranteed to 70% capacity
451-litre boot (1,405 litres seats folded) — roomy 5-seat cabin
10.25-inch touchscreen sat-nav with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ('3' and above)
11kW three-phase AC on-board charger, panoramic sunroof and JBL sound ('4+')
UVO Connect app for remote pre-conditioning and charge monitoring
Adaptive cruise, AEB and lane-keep assist standard from the '2' trim

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£44.99	Pattern part; OEM specification
Cabin pollen filter	£16.99
Front wiper blades (pair)	£21.99
12V auxiliary battery	£84.99
Type 2 charging cable (5m)	£149.99	Genuine specification
Key fob battery (CR2032)	£4.99

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Genuinely long 282-mile WLTP range — usable for motorway journeys
Best-in-class 7-year/100,000-mile warranty, fully transferable
Big 451-litre boot and roomy cabin for a compact crossover
Very strong used value: 2022 cars from around £14,000-£15,000
Cheap running costs: around 4 miles/kWh and minimal servicing

Cons

Never separately Euro NCAP crash-tested — no official star rating
Listen for motor clicking: a worn gear-reduction bearing is the big worry
Thin paint prone to stone chips; charging flap can stick
12V auxiliary battery can drain if the car sits unused

Frequently asked questions

Is it called the Niro EV or the e-Niro?

In the UK the 2019-2022 first-generation car was officially badged the e-Niro. The "Niro EV" name only arrived with the second-generation model in late 2022 — but it is the same first-generation car this page covers.

What is the real-world range of the e-Niro?

The 64kWh car's official WLTP range is 282 miles. In mixed real-world use, owners report roughly 230-250 miles in mild weather and around 200 miles in winter — still excellent for a used EV of its era.

How long is the battery warranty on a 2022 e-Niro?

Kia's warranty is 7 years or 100,000 miles and transfers to subsequent owners. The high-voltage battery is guaranteed to retain at least 70% of its capacity over that period.

What should I check when buying a used e-Niro?

Listen for a clicking noise from the motor (a worn gear-reduction drive bearing is the most worrying fault), test the charging flap, and confirm the EPCU coolant-leak recall (R/2023/121) was actioned on 2020 cars. Also check for stone-chip paint damage and a healthy 12V battery.

Is a used 2022 e-Niro a good buy?

Yes: 2022 cars start from around £14,000-£15,000, with top-spec cars to £18,000 — a 282-mile WLTP range, 7-year warranty and 451-litre boot at this money is hard to beat. Just buy on condition and service history.