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Not-So-Shocking EV News: Kia Niro EV Named Car of the Year by Popular Mechanics

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2019 Kia Niro EV

Photo: Kia Motors

Since its debut in late 2018, the Kia Niro EV has been praised for being an electric vehicle with style, without being pretentious like some luxury offerings. It simply serves its purpose of being eco-friendly and cost-efficient, providing cargo room and convenient amenities for those long journeys ahead. As such, Popular Mechanics recently named the Niro EV the “Car of the Year,” beating out other electric competitors from brands like Tesla and Toyota.


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“We picked the Niro EV for Car of the Year because it’s an electric car that would be appealing even if it weren’t electric,” said Popular Mechanics automotive editor Ezra Dyer. “But it is electric, and it delivers the usual EV benefits without much in the way of EV sacrifices. It’s smooth, quick and quiet, with plenty of range and an affordable price. The Niro EV feels like a preview of the near future, when cars like this are the norm. But right now it’s the exception.”

2019 Kia Niro EV
Photo: Kia Motors

At a glance, the Niro EV looks just like your typical SUV with some electric blue accents on the front end. It doesn’t adhere to the stereotypical “electric vehicle” boxy shape like the Nissan LEAF or Toyota Prius. And it’s not just about the visual appeal; the Niro EV can still pack a punch when it comes to get-up-and-go, providing up to 201 horsepower with its electric motor.

The Niro EV was also commended for having an ultimately serene cabin, despite all of the motors and mechanisms running under the hood. But when power was needed, the electric SUV quickly turned into a fun-to-drive hot hatch thanks to its Sport mode and available paddle shifters. The only downside Popular Mechanics could find on the Niro EV was its navigation system not automatically including charging stations along a scheduled route. However, Kia plans on addressing this prior to production models becoming available.


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After the Niro EV’s assessment — which involved driving 345 miles from Washington, D.C., to North Carolina — all Popular Mechanics editor Dyer had to say was, “That was easy,” further showcasing that the Niro EV is just like any other car (with some eco-friendly perks).


GALLERY: See more of the award-winning 2019 Kia Niro EV

  • 2019 Kia Niro EV
  • 2019 Kia Niro EV
  • 2019 Kia Niro EV
  • 2019 Kia Niro EV
  • 2019 Kia Niro EV
  • 2019 Kia Niro EV
  • 2019 Kia Niro EV
  • 2019 Kia Niro EV
  • 2019 Kia Niro EV
  • 2019 Kia Niro EV

Source:Popular Mechanics