When you go to your local Kia dealership this month, you should be able to get a chance to order the new 2023 Kia Niro EV. The Niro EV is expected to arrive at US Kia dealerships this month and it is announced starting price is $39,450, which is roughly $500 less than the previous model.
Kia Niro EV Trims
The Kia Niro EV comes in only two trims–Wind and Wave. The Wind trim is the base model and it starts at the price mentioned above. The upgraded Wave trim will start at $44,450. Both trims come with the same battery, but the higher Wave trim includes upgraded headlights, a power sunroof, heated mirrors, and various upgrades inside and outside. The Wave trim also includes a very convenient upgrade in the Kia Vehicle-to-Load inverter. This upgrade allows you to run devices off the vehicle’s battery. Compared to other models in Kia’s lineup, the Niro EV Wind trim is almost $2,000 cheaper than the base model of the EV6. Kia considers the EV6 to be its “halo” EV model, which means it’s an eye-catching model designed to get customers interested in the lineup. The Kia Niro is then the intelligent EV, i.e. the one with the practical features that many customers will be interested in.
Inflation-Influenced Pricing?
Earlier, it was rumored that the Kia Niro EV wouldn’t be far off the pricing for the hybrid model. That price was expected to be somewhere in the mid-$30,000 range rather than essentially $40,000. However, the recently-signed Inflation Reduction Act eliminated Kia’s eligibility for the US Federal EV tax credit, which caused pricing to be reconsidered across the board. The Kia Niro EV now costs nearly $2,000 more than the ID.4 before any credits. It’s also $13,850 more than the Chevy Bolt. Kia did announce that it expects to start producing EV models in the United States by 2024 in order to regain its tax credit eligibility. The higher starting price of the Kia Niro EV may only need to ride out the next year or so before becoming competitive with domestic models. However, EV models are enormously popular right now, so inflated demand is pushing prices well over MSRP for just about everyone.
EV6 vs Niro EV
In comparing the EV6 and the Niro EV, the Niro EV offers some benefits over the EV6. These benefits include a taller cargo area, a more neutral exterior design, and a slightly bigger range than the base EV6. However, the EV6’s improved fast charging ability somewhat negates the small range increase of the Niro EV. The EV6’s MSRP isn’t much higher than the Niro EV, but the EV6 has a slightly longer wheelbase. The EV6 base model also has a smaller battery pack than the Niro EV Wind model.
Ultimately, choosing between these two Kia EV models might require a trip to your Kia dealership to compare them up close.
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