With the worldwide launch of the all-new Kia EV3 subcompact electrical crossover, the South Korean automaker is aiming for a brand new slice of the market–that of the inexpensive EV.
However Kia already has the Niro EV in that phase, with the souped-up hatchback having secured its place on the “most inexpensive new EVs in the marketplace” lists through the years. So what’s going to occur now that two fashions from the identical producer will compete for a similar loaf of bread? Briefly, nothing, as Kia defined throughout its tech speak earlier than the official reveal of the EV3.
New EV3 or older Niro EV?
The all-new Kia EV3 is the South Korean automaker’s smallest mannequin based mostly on its modular E-GMP platform. Consequently, it boasts all the newest tech that may be crammed into an entry-level mannequin, together with all of the doable effectivity enhancements. Against this, the older Niro EV, which is just some inches longer than the EV3, remains to be going robust on Kia’s previous combustion platform that was tailored for plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains.
The South Korean automaker mentioned there will probably be a spot for each the Niro and EV3 as a result of clients who select the Niro sometimes go for the hybrid as a substitute of the all-electric model, paving the way in which for the EV3 to get an even bigger reduce.
“We’ll proceed to promote Niro EV along with the EV3 as a result of every market has completely different tastes or buyer preferences,” mentioned Spencer Chou, Head of Kia’s World Enterprise Planning. “Within the meantime, the Niro has a hybrid mannequin and we anticipate that [customers] will select the Niro hybrid mannequin somewhat than EV.”
In different phrases, Kia expects hardcore EV fans to purchase the brand new EV3 when it arrives in the US later this 12 months, whereas the Niro hybrid will proceed to focus on clients preferring the security web of a gasoline tank.
Kia EV3 subcompact electrical crossover
2024 Kia Niro EV compact crossover
Nevertheless, that begs the query: why hold the Niro EV within the lineup? Kia has by no means disclosed gross sales of each the electrified and all-electric Niro within the U.S. in its experiences, so it’s laborious to gauge what number of models have been shifted. One report from final 12 months claimed that the totally electrical Niro has amassed slightly over 200,000 gross sales globally since its introduction in 2018. Nonetheless, no particulars about U.S. gross sales of the totally electrical model have been provided. Nor have any gross sales figures been supplied for the hybrid and plug-in hybrid variations.
Dimension-wise, the present Niro EV is roughly 5 inches longer and has a wheelbase that’s greater by nearly 2 inches in comparison with the EV3. The Niro can also be 1 inch narrower and has a battery capability of 64.8 kilowatt-hours, whereas the shiny new EV3 boasts an 81.4-kWh pack, though we assume that this determine is for the long-range model and {that a} smaller pack may also be provided.
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Within the pricing division, the Niro EV begins at $40,925 (together with $1,325 vacation spot), whereas the Niro Plug-In Hybrid has a base MSRP of $35,715. The most affordable electrified Niro, the hybrid, is much more inexpensive, beginning at $28,265.
In the meantime, the EV3 is anticipated to hold a price ticket of round $35,000 to $45,000, making it barely extra inexpensive than the Niro EV. Nevertheless, this pricing technique is just not official but, so we’ll have to attend and see how Kia positions its new entry-level electrical crossover.
Till that occurs, tell us within the feedback beneath which you’d select: EV3 or Niro EV.
