For the previous yr, the Kia EV6 has been making headline after headline, because of its fashionable design, aggressive value, spacious cabin, and superfast charging. That’s been the case to the purpose that Kia’s different EV efforts have been maybe somewhat … buried. But the corporate is way from stepping again from its EV efforts. It’s creating new merchandise to construct out the EV line just like the upcoming EV9. And it’s transitioning its present lineup to at the very least supply an EV possibility — which is precisely the place the 2023 Kia Niro EV is available in.

The Niro EV is in a little bit of a bizarre spot, thanks largely to the EV6 itself. They’re each crossover EVs that occupy an identical spot by way of pricing, and far of the identical know-how by way of infotainment and driver-assist. And due to the truth that they’re each Kia EV crossovers, you would possibly assume that it’s price saving just a few grand on the Niro EV over the EV6.

But that assumption could be incorrect. The Kia Niro EV has a barely longer base-model vary than the EV6. It has somewhat additional room because of the dearth of sloped roofline. And it has that necessary barely lower cost tag. Most individuals, nonetheless, ought to spend that additional money on the EV6.

After beforehand reviewing the EV6, and spending the final week driving the brand new 2023 Kia Niro EV, listed below are my ideas on why the EV6 is really a greater purchase.

Design is one factor

The Kia Niro EV is way from ugly. It’s just a bit … regular — at the very least once you put it up in opposition to the EV6, which is among the most interesting-looking EVs thus far. Setting apart the truth that I favor the design of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to each of those, the actual fact is that the EV6 is sleeker, extra modern-looking, and extra distinctive.

Of course, not everybody needs a unique-looking automobile, and as a fellow introvert, I’m the primary to grasp why. The Kia Niro EV principally seems like a extra trendy tackle all the opposite crossover SUV-type vehicles on the highway proper now. It’s handsome — and safe-looking.

The EV6 does away with that. With the properly curved traces alongside the physique, the mean-looking front-end, and the large brake bar alongside the again, it reveals the course that Kia ought to go together with all of its new vehicles. If you wish to play it secure, I get it — and also you’ll just like the Niro EV. But if you would like sport, the EV6 must be on the prime of your record.

Charging is simply as necessary as vary

At first look, you would possibly assume that the Kia Niro EV is healthier as an electrical automobile, on account of the truth that it has a barely longer vary within the base mannequin. The EV6 Light gives as much as 232 miles in its base mannequin, on Kia’s E-GMP platform, whereas the Niro EV Wind stretches to 253 on the K3 platform. If you’re on a finances, an additional 21 miles for much less cash seems interesting.

But for those who’ve ever been on a highway journey with an electrical automobile, you’ll know that having the ability to cost rapidly makes an enormous distinction — and that’s one space the place the Kia Niro EV significantly underperforms. The EV6 can cost at as much as a whopping 350 kilowatts, which permits it to cost from 10% to 80% in underneath 20 minutes. That places it among the many fastest-charging EVs on the market. But what in regards to the Niro EV? It juices up at a a lot slower 85kW. That ought to carry it from 10% to 80% in round 45 minutes.

Now, it’s true that charging at these superfast speeds in all probability isn’t nice on your automobile’s battery, and 45 minutes continues to be quick sufficient to get you charged up over a meal, once you’re on the highway. And most individuals will use fundamental chargers at their properties anyway, and cost in a single day. But merely being able to cost as rapidly because the EV6 can cost is a significantly useful trick to have in your again pocket.

Flooring it

Then there’s the efficiency of the vehicles. The 2023 Kia Niro EV is ready to ship a few of that fast electrical automobile response that trendy electrical vehicles have change into identified for. Switch into sport mode and hit the accelerator, and you’ve got a fairly zippy crossover. But for those who actually wish to zip, then the Kia EV6 is the best way to go.

Without getting an excessive amount of into the nerdy particulars of the vehicles, the essential gist is that the 2023 Kia Niro EV will get to 60 miles per hour in somewhat underneath 7 seconds, whereas the EV6 can attain 60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds. Sure, that point is in utilizing the EV6 GT mannequin, however even the opposite fashions can hit that velocity in 5.2 seconds.

It could not sound like a lot, however these additional few seconds can actually matter. And positive, chances are you’ll not really feel the necessity to attain these speeds that rapidly, however having the ability to rapidly speed up will help in split-second conditions, and put merely, is tremendous enjoyable.

So who ought to purchase the Kia Niro EV?