Personally I think that cars built in the 90s were built better. It'ss considered the golden years of imports. You had a much better blend of simple but durabl manufacturing and durable engines. Stuff today seems not as well put together quite frankly. Why not continue to use something that works? And why change it if it still works? There are advantages to having the shock and spring separate. The shock is going to fail long before the spring gets weak. So rather than having to pull the suspension apart to get a strut out, two bolts and a the shock comes out. Seems like a better design to me. This car came out in 2017 and as Sandy said it's a compromise between gas hybrid and Electric. The big thing for me is I don't like how far the battery box hangs below the car for an SUV. Even though it's a small SUV I would worry about getting it high-sided in the middle on something and puncturing the battery box. But there's no way this car is worth $44,000.
Compared to everything that is out there this Niro and its equivalent Kona still score really well on efficiency. Better in my opinion than the VAG group cars. You have to realize that the model itself is 3 to 4 years old and that Hyundai/kia now came with the Ioniq 5 and the KIA EV6 that can really closely match the Tesla tech
@@jean-paulvandeheijning5088 Exactly. If you spend enough time watching Bjorn in Norway he's done plenty of testing with these cars. And the Kia Hyundai powertrains are very efficient. They're comfortable to drive they have a lot of room in them. My only complaint is that they are overpriced compared to what you can get today. I would never spend $44,000 for this car. At that price point the $39,000 VW id4 is the better car I think. Even though it's slower, and I suspect we'll have lower reliability. Volkswagens are not exactly known for their stellar reliability. Although some of that is powertrain related on their gas powered stuff and maybe the electrics are better.
yesterday had a knife about twice that size to sharpen. Doc said he used it for autopsy. I laughed. When I got it had so many pits along the edge am sure it would not cut a pickle beet in half. He thanked me and said it had never been that sharp in 40+ years. I laughed. Sandy if you need your knife done let me know grins
I like how a 6 second 0-60 car is now a old people's car. Probably saves a lot of wear by dialing back the performance and it still manages to be faster than many sport models of daily drivers.
Yes, I've driven all manner of German and Swedish 'premium' cars in my working life, now retired I have to say the Kia e-Niro (Niro EV in USA) is as good as any of them and a heck of a lot cheaper to own.
Yeah really weird comment he shows the bias immediately, I just got mine and it's way faster feeling than any German sports salon I've had... To be fair it does make you want to drive slow and smooth as it's so quiet and comfy... But out it In sport and floor not and it wheel spins at 30 and punch's very nicely
In sport mode the Niro EV is faster than my old 2 door 2012 GTI, I think it's wild that this is considered tame, I can chirp it going 20mph FFS. The handling isn't great, but it's not slow by any means.
@@flanagon360 I just got one too, top trim 2020 model for $14.5K with 33K miles deal of a lifetime, already getting 4.4mi per kwh and ~280 miles range (40 more than the EPA rating), some day maybe I'll put some EV1+ wheels on it and see if I can cross 300 miles on a charge.
Don't underestimate the Niro. Despite using very old style suspension made out of mild steel instead of light weight cast aluminum, the Niro is an exceptional handling vehicle. The steering feels extremely responsive and agile. When it comes to the sportiness and and fun factor, the Niro beats the Model 3. And the Niro achieves it with heavy mild steel suspension! This is why I think Tesla needs to fine tune their suspension with motorsports engineers.
I can only agree. We got one of the first batch into France in March 2019 and after 78,000 km it feels as solid as ever. I was surprised at how well it handled compared to the Niro hybrid I test drove and the Nissan Qashqai I had previously owned. The expectation is that these 'crossover/mini SUV' shaped cars will roll a lot but I guess with 435 Kg of battery under the floor the weight distribution is better that ICE powered equivalents. The ride is on the firm side and although I've never been in or driven a Tesla M3 or Y I heard the ride described as a bit harsh. The main roads in France and across most of Europe are flat and smooth so even in a firmly sprung car you are comfy for most of the time. I have recorded the ownership experience with all the costs and stats..with some of our trips in France, to the UK and Switzerland on 'Kia e-Niro Diaries' and Kia e-Niro Diaries Encore' if you're interested and can tolerate amateur camerawork..😊
Built on proven tech. No wonder they're so reliable and popular. Still 280 miles and 0-60 in 7s with 450 litres in the trunk and that's just above the load floor. It's a legend here in the UK, where we think the Kia Soul looks like a granny car!
I agree 100%. Most poster here are from the States. We here in Europe have slightly different requirements and opinions - which is ok. We drive a 2020 Niro and are very happy with what we got. Most BEVs where first based on ICE platforms, except Tesla and BMW i3. But in 2 years nearly all BEVs will be on their own new designed platform. Thanks Sandy for all your insite you give us.
That damper in the rear also is useful for protecting the battery from a low speed reverse impact, it's the same height has the bottom of the pack, I think it is there for BOTH damping and protecting the battery. The access panel is likely access to the BMS and each battery string for repairing or correcting issues without removing the battery, BMS can be replaced, individual strings can be balanced manually.
Looks like they put that black vynl on the battery sides to mask the fact that it hangs down below the side rails otherwise it would standout more. You could see the massive gap between the transmission tunnel and the pack. Since this was an adaption they couldn't move the floor height to compensate for the battery thickness even as slim as it was. Reminds me of the upcoming Hummer, thing looks like the pack is like a foot thick, ugly as hell imo, they try to mask it by doing a two tone paint otherwise the side profile of truck would be huge. Mach E and others all do the same thing, try to trick your eye into thinking the body line isn't where it actually is.
yes, if you sight any Kona EV or Niro it's def noticeable. it likely comes from the fact that Kona/Niro chassis also serve as platforms for their ICE versions.
Yes this is a compromised design. However, based on this video Kia went above and beyond in its engineering to create a well-built BEV that will likely be reliable and serviceable. No wonder it’s among the most efficient BEV's on the market.
I honestly think they have best chances out of legacy manufacturers to survive the EV transition. They are not asleep at the wheel and replaced their top management with dudes with EV background after Tesla battery day.
@@DTMnoFear The Legacy brands aren't going anywhere anytime soon.. EVs are still in a niche market. Until electric infrastructure is widespread and massive the masses are buying EVs.
@@DTMnoFear Yeah, I'm not so sure yet. They clearly design and build great EVs, but I think their ambition is way too low. Kia are aiming to sell 880.000 EVs... in 2030. That's what Tesla are selling this year without even having the Berlin and Austin factories online. They should be building capacity and securing battery supply to produce way more EVs; they have great technology to take strategic advantage of the transition, but they seem to be too hesitant. A great car like the Ioniq 5 (same Group) deserves a 500k car per year plant, but they're aiming for just over 100k per year.
I know someone who has a kia niro (64kwh) here in the UK, not a bad car good range, 0-60 about 7sec, they came out n the UK about the same time as tesla model 3, the kia is a good buy here as it is $43,000 when the model 3 standard range is $52,000
Sure the Niro is an ok BEV and would urge anyone to buy that over an equivalent ICE.. but.. you get what you pay for. That model 3 is worth the 10K more, and then some.. IF you can afford it. But.. that’s why many BEVs are needed to fill all the segments
@@fredpinczuk7352 Kia still has a $7500 federal tax credit....and like most dealerships you'll can still get additional discounts. Let's not forget either that KIAs can be serviced at any dealership nationwide. Tesla is riding high with depreciation, but make no mistake...that wont last forever.
@@mustangcrazy77 My local KIA dealers marked up by $5K+. No color choice, no options. "This is what we have on the lot" kind of attitude. The Tesla was still cheaper. and for a lot more standard options and performance. Kia was #1 on our list initially. But the depreciation is just horrible.
@@fredpinczuk7352 You should have expanded your search radius, ours was marked down $7k. As for tech, ours is fully loaded. There is nothing on a Tesla model 3 that we needed….and we HATE the all in one center screen. It’s absurd not to have a center display for your speed…and dedicated buttons for everyday items.
@@seantrumble3291 I think you’ll change your opinion once you drive the Niro on sport mode. That 0 torque can easily piss off plenty of “fast” cars at a red light. I’ve turned heads multiple time 😉
It’s Knee-Roh. And I’m hardly an old person, sold my Model 3 and picked one of these up as a lease for $314/mo. It is the most underrated EV available out there. Gets many more miles than the advertised range, its super quiet and confortable. No it is not as “cool” as a Tesla, but man it’s very nice if you can get a deal on it.
Sandy explained previously it is effectively a joke to say “nigh row” instead of the sound of “Nero” to avoid invoking the name of the Roman empower who allegedly played his fiddle while Rome burned. It is a not so subtle jab at the problems Kia and gm have been having with their volatile EV batteries. And yes, I drive a 2017 Chevy Bolt.
I bought this 2020 Niro EV Touring version back in April 2021 and I think it is great. Very well built and has great electronics and options. I was looking at the Tesla Y but was 14 week lead time and a lot more expensive. I picked up the eNiro to get me around for the next several years while the industry figures out the tech, then perhaps buy another EV once the dust settles. Also got it with 0% financing for 84 months and $8,000 government rebate as I live in BC Canada. In the mean time I am super happy with my eNiro.
Major and common issue with the drive motor - makes clacking noise at low speed and droning noise at high speed after about 15k miles, will still drive but the noise is annoying. Will supposedly give out if not eventually replaced. I'm currently on my 3rd motor at 38k miles. Hope 3rd time is the charm. Not having my hopes up too high though, I'll probably go get my 4th motor at about 50k miles.
The access panel under under the battery assembly is an access for the battery management computer to remove it without removing the entire battery pack
I wonder if Kia sent you this 90’s car to lower expectations so that when they send you their next generation BEV you can compliment them on how far they’ve come.
Sandy knows a lot and i learn a lot from him but sometimes the ignorance runs rampant. Gotta sift through the amazing knowledge acquired by him over the years and the get off my lawn with your new fangled machines side he has finely tuned over the years.
Well KIA is just trying to give you any flavor of Niro that you might want. Whether it's ICE, Hybrid, or BEV. In this case the BEV is just another powertrain choice for the Niro. So I think kudos to KIA for being able to package it into the platform (as a very usable BEV and not a compliance vehicle), and for offering another choice to the consumer.
I'm surprised by how little protection there is for the battery cabling at the front of the battery. The little hatch has protection to stop impact damage on the bolt heads, but the cabling seems very open (unless a shield has already been removed?)
Thanks Sandy for your insights on what we call the e-Niro here in Europe. I got mine in March 2019, one of the first 'off the boat' in France. The car attracts no attention, which is how we like it!...but we do get some strange looks when manoeuvring at low speed in supermarket car parks due to its 'space invader' artificial sound
Just bought a used 2021 for $16k. Thanks Sandy for paying $4,000 of it. I test drove my dream Model Y. Biggest disappointment of my life, FSD didn’t work, rode like a lumber wagon (with no load), was unbelievable loud road noise and had the typical Tesla back seat fit only for kids ( kids needing punishment). On top of that it took about3 to four touch screen keystrokes to do almost anything. Great GenZ car. I’ll take the knobs and dials. The Kia Niro was outstanding in all those areas, cost $5k less and had 5 years and 80,000 miles of warranty left.
90s car input...Rusts around the wheel wells in 3 or less years, has rust "drip stains" down the back hatch where the steel fasteners are used, door panels rusted out after 3 to 4 years, leaks oil after 6 years...love the 90s!
Bad car experience? In some parts of the world one can still see Audi 80 or 100/A6 1st gen still driving in large numbers, despite road salting in winter.. Double sided zinc protection on the entire body does the job. Mechanically also simple '90 cars.
I have a mid 1980s car, no rust. Had a transmission leak years ago but had it fixed. Surprisingly, the car still has all its original parts including hoses, alternator, sensors etc., everything works.
@@michaelholliday100 Not nuts, its just all the hoses including the timing belt are in pristine condition.. I personally check every 3 months. The only sensor every needed to be changed was the one for the idling.. Water pump and fuel pump are all original. Original fuel injectors and spark plugs. Even the catalytic converter is original. All window motors are working, the same with the air conditioner, not once has it had to be refilled with refrigerant.. The car is built like a tank!
It is a superb car, here in the UK you have to wait months to get one, they are very popular, not an old persons car at all. Reliability, quality, cost, 7 year warranty,range,performance,miles/KWh, these are the important features we look for,and the eNiro delivers.
Exactly, owning this car for 5 months now (full options model), coming from a Mercedes C class, I have never regret the trade in. So much fun driving every day, more power, luxury and less costs.
I like to bitch about cars and things I don’t like in them but when I got my Nero EV, after a few days I could not find nothing to complain about. Not a modern car like me Tesla but damn SOLID EV. When I get my insurance money back I’ll buy another one right away.
Sandy is right that I've never needed the descaler on my Swiss Army Champ, but I've used all the 8 tools on my Manager more times than I can count. It's no substitute for a Benchmade, but it's easy enough to carry in addition.
The hole left from the friction stir tool is where the tool is retracted at the end of the weld, not where the tool plunges in the beginning of the weld. And the other welds look like mig welds too me 🤷. Interseting that the outer fsw holes were mig welded shut but not the inner holes on the battery pack. Maybe dissimilar aluminum where the fsw is performed?
Car maybe expensive but it offers 7 years warranty in Europa. Others only 2 years. Great video hope to see more in depth of the battery and the electric motor.
@@nexussymbiosis9270 better than 2021 shit? Its called perspective. Lots of people buy Toyotas for their perceived " reliability". How much of that is old tech? Would you buy a big pickup with rear drum brakes? ( i know Sandy thinks they are ok, but i think my life is more important than saving a few bucks) They are still being sold. Perspective.
I get what you're saying about the Swiss knife analogy, but somehow Kia (and Hyundai with the Kona) have succeeded in building very competitive EVs on these mixed energy platforms. These are very efficient and have a pretty good fanbase. However, going forward I'd expect them to introduce models in this class based on the e-GMP platform that is dedicated electric. It would be nice to get your hands on an EV6 or Ioniq 5...
I own a '29 Niro, and I agree, the next big change would b E-GMP based Niro. BUT lets hope they do not ruin the concept, the way VW did with the Beetle
That black vinyl on the sides of the battery pack might be cosmetic. Perhaps the battery can be seen from the side and silver would stand out? Just a guess.
The Niro Came out in 2016. The engineering for the car started before that. So it is old. This car wasn't meant to fight the Model 3, ID 4, or Mach-E. Everything about the car is a compromise of packaging. With that said, e-Niro is a is a decent car for the money.
Maybe 90's tech but it was a smart way to get your feet wet in the EV market, their later offerings will show lessons learned and reflect Hyundai / Kia constant improvement which they have really demonstrated these days, some very high quality innovate stuff you can almost afford! Thanks as always Sandy for your insight....it means something!
Maybe it's a 90's car on the way the things are designed, but the Kia eNiro/Hyundai Kona shows really impressive efficiency figures, even if it's not a dedicated pure-EV platform. So their electrical powertrain should be quite good.
Hello Sandy, I did see your video and what you where say is so right. I know in the UK we have lost so much just bye management and government look to get think done on the cheep then sending out manufacturing and design to cheep countries. No in the UK we have lost so many skills. I do hope the people that matter here you and your great country just get better and better. Keep well, keep safe and enjoy life.
We need compelling EVs, not mediocre EVs. We want customers to compare EVs to ICE and then choosing EV to be a 'no brainer'. This requires EVs that are safer, more efficient, have better performance, less maintence at equal or less cost. Some current EVs already meet those criteria.
@@davidharris7249 so do you really think the mainstream has plus 40K laying around to buy a new BEV, that suffers a major depreciation in less than five years of usage?
@@RogerM88 No what I believe is the average price for a new car in USA is the same as the price of a Tesla Model 3SR+, and for that price you get the better: safety, efficiency, performance, fuel costs, maintenance, OTA, tech, sound, and charging network, and no pollution, a battery that will last 200,00 miles plus and is recyclable, and best resale value. One doesn't need to pay up front, that is what leases and loans are for. If someone can't afford that price, then they can buy second have like I did for most of my adult life -- and if you are right about depreciation, then they ought to be cheap. BTW, Model 3's sell second-hand for almost as much as new, and in fat sometimes at more than the first owner paid for them. I am sick of people sounding off without actually looking into it. And I also think making mediocre BEVs is to purposely prop up sales of ICE cars.
At 7:38, rock flickers / stone impingement ? With those large bolts and small area I'd guess they were for handling the battery. What do you think, Sandy? Anyone?
I alway thought that Sandy did not talk about Kia Niro and the Kona was because he had a consulting relationship with them. What he does not see is the price, range, and efficiency trade off's that make this car competitive with the Tesla. The ID-4 is larger but uses 10-15 more juice to go from here to there. sandy does talk about lean design, and the Niro must have a little of that to get the efficiency that it does. Also, the Niro/kona handle regeneration better than anyone
Enjoy your rants, keep em coming! Cutting through the b.s. helps us all in the long run. Somebody has got to say the truth, sooner or later. Now is a good time.
Thanks for the review, Sandy. Its was a nice video on the Niro EV. I see it as low end EV, but i am glad it's well built even if the standards may not be cutting edge. I think I'd rather have quality than fancy with no substance.
As the owner of a Tesla 3 which happens to be a lemon, I’d rather have the Hyundai / Kia I think. Especially given the lack of responsibility shown by Tesla customer service for my rather expensive decidedly imperfect car.
Making a electric car less complex and more simple makes more sense too the masses. Keep cost down and give it flexility for major maintence at your local shop.
Well, its a car that came to market 5 years ago and was likely in development for several years before that. Im 100% positive KIA knows this wasnt the best they could do. That said it was the best price value of the time, one of the most efficient EVs, and the first BEV that I actually saw advertisements for in the wild. Just waiting for them to send him an EV6 or Ionic 5.
I agree. The price is the problem with this vehicle. This is a nice little car for a young person or and old person who both have somewhat limited needs. However, it is priced like a Tesla and that's not OK. Frankly, the hybrid is a better offering since it is $15,000 cheaper, gets good gas mileage (about as good as an old Prius) and the base model has all the stuff most people care about. If the Niro EV was $30,000, that would be a decent offering, but at $39K base, that's just not priced right.
@Teodor, I agree. I have a 2018 non-plug-in hybrid Niro. It’s a solid little car that gets mileage about as good as a Prius for a reasonable price. I like the form factor and it is very agreeable (if not exciting) to drive. But as a BEV for almost the price of a Model Y, it’s not a very good deal. I do have a neighbor who bought one on a very cheap lease deal, $298 per month, and she is very happy with it.
Kia et al really do need to find a way to make EVs less expensive. That won’t happen until batteries become much less expensive. The hybrid version has an almost $15K lower sticker price. It seems unlikely the price gap would ever be closed through reduced maintenance costs of the EV. I live in the central US and the EV version is very rare on dealer lots. For now the EV version seems to exist mostly for compliance in costal states and to build corporate experience in matters EV: nothing wrong with that, of course. It is a nice solid car, and I would be happy with it if a used one turned up for an attractive price.
@@wtmayhew It is not just the battery cost though. First people need to understand that the entire automotive industry has already been running on low margins for a very long time. A lot of that has to do with sunken cost. A manufacturer will spend billions developing a new platform, figuring out how to build the platform, and figuring out what vehicles it can put on that platform decades in advance. Then they spread out that cost over the next 20 to 30 years. The longer they can build with the same platform using the same engines, the more they operate in the black. Most manufacturers are barely halfway through the expected life span of their last platform and had hedged against pure EVs at that time. They hedged wrong and are now trying to meet rising market demand and regulatory pressure. That is expensive work. How we get cheap EVs in the future is expensive EVs today. Period. There is no magic formula to make a super budget car that would meet all of the high tech buyer and regulatory expectations in the US. And there's no good way to shortcut the market processes that create cheaper materials. Except for dramatic government subsidies which most of this new wave of EV investor fanatics is against, even though most of the stalwarts of the financial system have benefitted from dramatic and perhaps excessive government assistance for decades. Oil for over a century. 🤷
All I have to say is ' 90's Niro or 2021 Bolt, sandy.' Virtually every reviewer that gets asked laughs and say.. oh yeah, the Niro EV. Much better ride. 90s brought us many great things, after all. heh
i ran over something sharp rolling in the middle of the night. It punctured underneath. looks like a piece of cloth black tape is hanging underneath. Is it worth servicing my new niro?
Look at the EV6! Your Angry-Sandy video was good. I expect GM & Co - the old US boys - did that to Tesla. Big & Old doesn't like to change. And they got so much power...
Been waiting for this car to be reviewed for a while. Thanks for looking at it. Wish you could take that massive motor apart. Been wanting to know why I hear some noise when slowing to a stop when regenerative kicks in. Wonder what bearings are being used. Think this is the issue.
I drove one the other day. I have one on order. That whine is generated when moving below around 12-15 mph. It's to warn pedestrians with an audible signal that an otherwise silent vehicle is approaching. 120 years ago this was accomplished by a man running along in front of the approaching vehicle waving a red flag. Locomotive horns provide a similar service for the railroads. DOT requirement.
@@ocd1927 its more like 12-0 mph, and its like drumming. Kia doesn't take it serious. I think it must be some type of baring, my volt has similar issue, but volt (2013 no pedestrian sound at this time) baring issue make the progression to 0 mph, made it sound like a spaceship. After the dealer fixed baring, the spaceship went away.
i bought my wife a Hyundai Elantra limited a couple years ago. They make damn good cars with a 10 year warranty. Im all about using reliable proven parts if theyre cost effective and durable. Her car has the Atkinson designed engine which is better than any direct injection engine for reliability IMO. Why reinvent the wheel when you dont have to unless its a better yet less expensive part. I respect Hyundai/Kia more than any other car maker( 2nd to Tesla of course). Id buy a HYUNDAI EV over any VW, GM, or FORD
Once again Thank you Sandy, sometimes expressing your true views does open the eyes of unbeliever's as to what is really going on in the world. We definitely do need more people that are ready to stand for what the right thing to do are such as yourself.. It gives presence and validity to open the people's mindset that they may have fallen prey to. I sincerely do hope that your new found successes continue to emblazon you to continue to fight the good fight and to live long and prosper. BRAVO Sir, signed off as a dedicated fan from Canada...
There appears to be a nice short length of cable between battery pack and motor, but the connections to the battery look quite vulnerable to road debris. Have I got that right or did I see it wrong. Also was it possible to see where the inverter was? Is it possible that the inverter is behind the bolt on plate at the corner of the battery?
I thiunk that's the the Asian approach to building vehicles: To use proventechnologies and improve where it's neccessary. This had to end up in a 90s BEV and it can actually work and last. Btw: would love to hear something about the thermal managment in the Niro. There are rumors that it's pretty well designed.
The US version of the Kona / Niro apparently did not ship with heat pumps for some model years. Here in EU or in Canada all model years have heat pumps
I have a swiss army knife in my pocket all the time, use it a lot! the most I use it for is to open beer bottles, but the screw driver(s), scissor, knife(s) come in handy now and then too.. But I agree, if you have a swiss army knife that is too thick with too many features, it loses its versatility, because the thick knife prevents you from using the tools properly. Btw, this whole car starts to turn out to be a perfectly designed 90's car LOL!, old does not always mean bad! often in means better!! (read: more durable!) Nice review as always :-)
does the vinyl on the underside that runs along side of battery have any sort of texture? I am wodering if it somehow has groves or pattern to redirect rocks/debris toward the outside of the car so it will drop out and away onto roadway vs flying directly toward the rear
Having this as a company car for a year, overall very good. Not sure if it is due to the non equal length drive shafts, this EV is suffered from toqure steering when cornering with power
It's summer time now but in a few months that low hanging pipe up front and exposed low hanging battery connections may cause the winter of my discontent.
Except that the connections are not the lowest part, and another comment from an Niro EV owner says that there is a cover which Sandy didn't mention removing.
Man, the front of that battery hanging down below everything in front... just imagining driving that through snow. That black connector with the small wires hanging out is a goner.
How much component commonality does this have with Hyundai models? I'm sure I spotted the 'H' logo stamped into the lower control arm on the front suspension and on various stickers around the back.
I like that there is cars that is made to be a to b cars. That is what monroe calls "old peoples car". If i was not studying automation engineering and like tecnically advanced systems. A kia niro could be perfect. Keeping with the knife anology, a tesla is a goldplated special shaped one. Niro is a big clunky swiss knife. In my experience Skoda enjak is a regular steel knife. Maybe the new kia's is like the skoda or better 😊
Why would you want coil-over shocks? Suspension performance is best, if the shock and spring are mounted on an arm like this, with the shock as close to the wheel end as possible, and placing the coil spring around the shock keeps it from being as far out as it could be. This isn't a competition vehicle, so the adjustability of threaded spring mounts on the shocks would be pointless.
Do not the vehicle manufacturers have shop repair manuals ready at launch? I would think those would answer many questions before and during disassembly.
I'm not keen on the vulnerability of the wiring at the front of the battery pack. Seems likely make contact with a kerb or piece of debris during the life of the vehicle-especially as the battery pack is so low slung. BTW the Kia e-Niro is considered a very attractive car in Europe; very efficient with a good turn of speed and always has high ratings in reviews. Lastly, the black tape on either side of the battery pack seems to be so that when seen from the side the car is visually 'blacked out' underneath rather than it's underpinnings being shiny and obvious. Take a look at the press photos.
@@jamesengland7461 They did - i have an e-Niro and none of that is visible from underneath. There's a shield running from the front right through to the battery.
SANDY: "This is a really nice car.... if it was built in the 90's" ME: OOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!!!!
that's what I want to collect, all facts and it's the buyers to decide if they want to have a 90's era car in 2021. Make an informed decision.
And Kia management goes, "Ouch".
Personally I think that cars built in the 90s were built better.
It'ss considered the golden years of imports.
You had a much better blend of simple but durabl manufacturing and durable engines.
Stuff today seems not as well put together quite frankly.
Why not continue to use something that works? And why change it if it still works?
There are advantages to having the shock and spring separate. The shock is going to fail long before the spring gets weak. So rather than having to pull the suspension apart to get a strut out, two bolts and a the shock comes out. Seems like a better design to me.
This car came out in 2017 and as Sandy said it's a compromise between gas hybrid and Electric.
The big thing for me is I don't like how far the battery box hangs below the car for an SUV. Even though it's a small SUV I would worry about getting it high-sided in the middle on something and puncturing the battery box.
But there's no way this car is worth $44,000.
Compared to everything that is out there this Niro and its equivalent Kona still score really well on efficiency. Better in my opinion than the VAG group cars. You have to realize that the model itself is 3 to 4 years old and that Hyundai/kia now came with the Ioniq 5 and the KIA EV6 that can really closely match the Tesla tech
@@jean-paulvandeheijning5088
Exactly. If you spend enough time watching Bjorn in Norway he's done plenty of testing with these cars. And the Kia Hyundai powertrains are very efficient. They're comfortable to drive they have a lot of room in them. My only complaint is that they are overpriced compared to what you can get today. I would never spend $44,000 for this car. At that price point the $39,000 VW id4 is the better car I think. Even though it's slower, and I suspect we'll have lower reliability. Volkswagens are not exactly known for their stellar reliability. Although some of that is powertrain related on their gas powered stuff and maybe the electrics are better.
Sandy carries a blade at all times - handy for cutting through BS.
If that is what it is for, he needs a sword !
@@Shadobanned4life Sandy relies on death by 1000 cuts 😜🤣
If you suggest using a screw on fastener , he’ll pull that blade out with the quickness ! 🤣
yesterday had a knife about twice that size to sharpen. Doc said he used it for autopsy. I laughed. When I got it had so many pits along the edge am sure it would not cut a pickle beet in half. He thanked me and said it had never been that sharp in 40+ years. I laughed. Sandy if you need your knife done let me know grins
@@maples328 pop ins work nicely so Sandy says Who knew?
I like how a 6 second 0-60 car is now a old people's car. Probably saves a lot of wear by dialing back the performance and it still manages to be faster than many sport models of daily drivers.
Yes, I've driven all manner of German and Swedish 'premium' cars in my working life, now retired I have to say the Kia e-Niro (Niro EV in USA) is as good as any of them and a heck of a lot cheaper to own.
Yeah really weird comment he shows the bias immediately, I just got mine and it's way faster feeling than any German sports salon I've had... To be fair it does make you want to drive slow and smooth as it's so quiet and comfy... But out it In sport and floor not and it wheel spins at 30 and punch's very nicely
In sport mode the Niro EV is faster than my old 2 door 2012 GTI, I think it's wild that this is considered tame, I can chirp it going 20mph FFS. The handling isn't great, but it's not slow by any means.
@@flanagon360 I just got one too, top trim 2020 model for $14.5K with 33K miles deal of a lifetime, already getting 4.4mi per kwh and ~280 miles range (40 more than the EPA rating), some day maybe I'll put some EV1+ wheels on it and see if I can cross 300 miles on a charge.
Why I bought an E Niro
Excellent range 300+ miles per charge
Efficiency 4.5 - 5 miles per kW
Fully loaded cabin
7 year warranty
Excellent reliability
10 year power train and battery warranty on it here in the US.
The black sides of of the battery pack are to visually "hide" the pack when viewing the Niro from the side or rear.
Confucius say,
Why fix it , you you can hide it.
Makes sense.
Don't underestimate the Niro. Despite using very old style suspension made out of mild steel instead of light weight cast aluminum, the Niro is an exceptional handling vehicle. The steering feels extremely responsive and agile. When it comes to the sportiness and and fun factor, the Niro beats the Model 3. And the Niro achieves it with heavy mild steel suspension! This is why I think Tesla needs to fine tune their suspension with motorsports engineers.
I can only agree. We got one of the first batch into France in March 2019 and after 78,000 km it feels as solid as ever. I was surprised at how well it handled compared to the Niro hybrid I test drove and the Nissan Qashqai I had previously owned. The expectation is that these 'crossover/mini SUV' shaped cars will roll a lot but I guess with 435 Kg of battery under the floor the weight distribution is better that ICE powered equivalents. The ride is on the firm side and although I've never been in or driven a Tesla M3 or Y I heard the ride described as a bit harsh. The main roads in France and across most of Europe are flat and smooth so even in a firmly sprung car you are comfy for most of the time. I have recorded the ownership experience with all the costs and stats..with some of our trips in France, to the UK and Switzerland on 'Kia e-Niro Diaries' and Kia e-Niro Diaries Encore' if you're interested and can tolerate amateur camerawork..😊
I agree with the Post and comments. I own a 2019 Niro and its truly a fine machine
Built on proven tech. No wonder they're so reliable and popular. Still 280 miles and 0-60 in 7s with 450 litres in the trunk and that's just above the load floor. It's a legend here in the UK, where we think the Kia Soul looks like a granny car!
I agree 100%. Most poster here are from the States. We here in Europe have slightly different requirements and opinions - which is ok. We drive a 2020 Niro and are very happy with what we got.
Most BEVs where first based on ICE platforms, except Tesla and BMW i3. But in 2 years nearly all BEVs will be on their own new designed platform.
Thanks Sandy for all your insite you give us.
I like the Soul..
TIL: sandy carries a knife, no doubt to cut engineer's egos down to size.
Come on! Everyone know engineers don't have feelings.
@@LewdCustomer feelings no, ego’s yes.
(I say this as an engineer by the way)
Such a terrible thing to say…
Niro is the best selling EV in Sweden for the last two months and been selling well since launch. It outsold Model 3 like 8 to 1.
👍
That damper in the rear also is useful for protecting the battery from a low speed reverse impact, it's the same height has the bottom of the pack, I think it is there for BOTH damping and protecting the battery. The access panel is likely access to the BMS and each battery string for repairing or correcting issues without removing the battery, BMS can be replaced, individual strings can be balanced manually.
That "that's not a knife, this is a knife" thing is hilarious.
Looks like they put that black vynl on the battery sides to mask the fact that it hangs down below the side rails otherwise it would standout more. You could see the massive gap between the transmission tunnel and the pack. Since this was an adaption they couldn't move the floor height to compensate for the battery thickness even as slim as it was. Reminds me of the upcoming Hummer, thing looks like the pack is like a foot thick, ugly as hell imo, they try to mask it by doing a two tone paint otherwise the side profile of truck would be huge. Mach E and others all do the same thing, try to trick your eye into thinking the body line isn't where it actually is.
Solid observation 👍
gear tunnel? somebody got rivian on the mind! haha great comment I agree
Haha! That’s funny, I had just watched a Rivian thing, good catch I meant transmission tunnel. :-)
yes, if you sight any Kona EV or Niro it's def noticeable. it likely comes from the fact that Kona/Niro chassis also serve as platforms for their ICE versions.
hyundai engineering. dont fix it MASK it
Yes this is a compromised design. However, based on this video Kia went above and beyond in its engineering to create a well-built BEV that will likely be reliable and serviceable. No wonder it’s among the most efficient BEV's on the market.
I honestly think they have best chances out of legacy manufacturers to survive the EV transition. They are not asleep at the wheel and replaced their top management with dudes with EV background after Tesla battery day.
I agree. I have one and love it. I’ve had 2 Teslas as well and this car is surprisingly good
@@DTMnoFear
The Legacy brands aren't going anywhere anytime soon.. EVs are still in a niche market. Until electric infrastructure is widespread and massive the masses are buying EVs.
@@DTMnoFear Yeah, I'm not so sure yet. They clearly design and build great EVs, but I think their ambition is way too low. Kia are aiming to sell 880.000 EVs... in 2030. That's what Tesla are selling this year without even having the Berlin and Austin factories online. They should be building capacity and securing battery supply to produce way more EVs; they have great technology to take strategic advantage of the transition, but they seem to be too hesitant. A great car like the Ioniq 5 (same Group) deserves a 500k car per year plant, but they're aiming for just over 100k per year.
@@mamadouaziza2536 EVs are niche in USA but have overtaken Diesel sales in major European nations, change is here
The access panel under the battery is in general for fuses replacement.
KIA leaned it in hard way.
Take that, people who say they don't make cars like they used to anymore!
😁😉😍😍😍
I know someone who has a kia niro (64kwh) here in the UK, not a bad car good range, 0-60 about 7sec, they came out n the UK about the same time as tesla model 3, the kia is a good buy here as it is $43,000 when the model 3 standard range is $52,000
$41 KIA, $39.5K Tesla here (US).
Can you guess which one has a 50% depreciation rate?
Sure the Niro is an ok BEV and would urge anyone to buy that over an equivalent ICE.. but.. you get what you pay for. That model 3 is worth the 10K more, and then some.. IF you can afford it. But.. that’s why many BEVs are needed to fill all the segments
@@fredpinczuk7352 Kia still has a $7500 federal tax credit....and like most dealerships you'll can still get additional discounts. Let's not forget either that KIAs can be serviced at any dealership nationwide. Tesla is riding high with depreciation, but make no mistake...that wont last forever.
@@mustangcrazy77 My local KIA dealers marked up by $5K+. No color choice, no options. "This is what we have on the lot" kind of attitude. The Tesla was still cheaper. and for a lot more standard options and performance. Kia was #1 on our list initially. But the depreciation is just horrible.
@@fredpinczuk7352 You should have expanded your search radius, ours was marked down $7k. As for tech, ours is fully loaded. There is nothing on a Tesla model 3 that we needed….and we HATE the all in one center screen. It’s absurd not to have a center display for your speed…and dedicated buttons for everyday items.
As a first-time EV owner, I'm glad I went with Niro and not the ID.4. This car just works and I love how lowkey & humble it is on the road!
Lowkey and humble. That’s a nice way of saying slow and boring.
@@seantrumble3291 I think you’ll change your opinion once you drive the Niro on sport mode. That 0 torque can easily piss off plenty of “fast” cars at a red light. I’ve turned heads multiple time 😉
humble price of $44,000.
It’s Knee-Roh. And I’m hardly an old person, sold my Model 3 and picked one of these up as a lease for $314/mo. It is the most underrated EV available out there. Gets many more miles than the advertised range, its super quiet and confortable. No it is not as “cool” as a Tesla, but man it’s very nice if you can get a deal on it.
Sandy explained previously it is effectively a joke to say “nigh row” instead of the sound of “Nero” to avoid invoking the name of the Roman empower who allegedly played his fiddle while Rome burned. It is a not so subtle jab at the problems Kia and gm have been having with their volatile EV batteries. And yes, I drive a 2017 Chevy Bolt.
Another lesson in engineering that us common folk can understand, how and why are answered.
I bought this 2020 Niro EV Touring version back in April 2021 and I think it is great. Very well built and has great electronics and options. I was looking at the Tesla Y but was 14 week lead time and a lot more expensive. I picked up the eNiro to get me around for the next several years while the industry figures out the tech, then perhaps buy another EV once the dust settles. Also got it with 0% financing for 84 months and $8,000 government rebate as I live in BC Canada. In the mean time I am super happy with my eNiro.
No Kia is great. They are a very basic car generally with little innovation.
Love, love my Niro, well designed and so comfortable, I love going to work now😄
2:11 What Sandy is trying to say with the knife analogy is that: "Any tool that does more than one job will do none of them well."
Major and common issue with the drive motor - makes clacking noise at low speed and droning noise at high speed after about 15k miles, will still drive but the noise is annoying. Will supposedly give out if not eventually replaced. I'm currently on my 3rd motor at 38k miles. Hope 3rd time is the charm. Not having my hopes up too high though, I'll probably go get my 4th motor at about 50k miles.
The access panel under under the battery assembly is an access for the battery management computer to remove it without removing the entire battery pack
I wonder if Kia sent you this 90’s car to lower expectations so that when they send you their next generation BEV you can compliment them on how far they’ve come.
Should have sent the EV6 or the Hyundai Ioniq5
Exactly
Those cars aren't shipped yet in the USA except for showroom reviews.
@@michaelreyes8670 This was a marketing thing. It increases EV credibility. Just like Ford's rep talking about the Mach E
@@michaelreyes8670 they are practically same 90s design. just different exterior and interior.
Sandy knows a lot and i learn a lot from him but sometimes the ignorance runs rampant. Gotta sift through the amazing knowledge acquired by him over the years and the get off my lawn with your new fangled machines side he has finely tuned over the years.
Well KIA is just trying to give you any flavor of Niro that you might want. Whether it's ICE, Hybrid, or BEV. In this case the BEV is just another powertrain choice for the Niro. So I think kudos to KIA for being able to package it into the platform (as a very usable BEV and not a compliance vehicle), and for offering another choice to the consumer.
Yes. I think sandy is 100% right that's its better to have purpose built ev. Which is the next kia ev.
I'm surprised by how little protection there is for the battery cabling at the front of the battery. The little hatch has protection to stop impact damage on the bolt heads, but the cabling seems very open (unless a shield has already been removed?)
I noticed that, too.
There is normally a cover there to protect those
I think Munro removed the shield. I have a kia Sorento the under shield is enormous, I have to remove it every time I change the oil. Super annoying.
There is a plastic cover over the whole underside
That's why this is an "under the cover" footage :)
Thank you Sandy. Interesting about the 90s comment. That tech seems to still work well for what it needs to do.
Thanks Sandy for your insights on what we call the e-Niro here in Europe. I got mine in March 2019, one of the first 'off the boat' in France. The car attracts no attention, which is how we like it!...but we do get some strange looks when manoeuvring at low speed in supermarket car parks due to its 'space invader' artificial sound
Love when Sandy whips out the knife! Don’t mess
Four HF jack stands as backup in case the lift fails. That’s some serious precautionary measures there.
He's rather his pension payout than insurance...
Just bought a used 2021 for $16k. Thanks Sandy for paying $4,000 of it. I test drove my dream Model Y. Biggest disappointment of my life, FSD didn’t work, rode like a lumber wagon (with no load), was unbelievable loud road noise and had the typical Tesla back seat fit only for kids ( kids needing punishment). On top of that it took about3 to four touch screen keystrokes to do almost anything. Great GenZ car. I’ll take the knobs and dials.
The Kia Niro was outstanding in all those areas, cost $5k less and had 5 years and 80,000 miles of warranty left.
90s car input...Rusts around the wheel wells in 3 or less years, has rust "drip stains" down the back hatch where the steel fasteners are used, door panels rusted out after 3 to 4 years, leaks oil after 6 years...love the 90s!
Bad car experience? In some parts of the world one can still see Audi 80 or 100/A6 1st gen still driving in large numbers, despite road salting in winter.. Double sided zinc protection on the entire body does the job. Mechanically also simple '90 cars.
I have a mid 1980s car, no rust.
Had a transmission leak years ago but had it fixed. Surprisingly, the car still has all its original parts including hoses, alternator, sensors etc., everything works.
Got a Toyota from 2000. That car never dies. And never was in a shop unless I wanted. Some old cars are made for life, not profit.
@@mamadouaziza2536 If you are running a mid 80's car with the original hoses and belts you are nuts!
@@michaelholliday100
Not nuts, its just all the hoses including the timing belt are in pristine condition.. I personally check every 3 months. The only sensor every needed to be changed was the one for the idling.. Water pump and fuel pump are all original.
Original fuel injectors and spark plugs. Even the catalytic converter is original. All window motors are working, the same with the air conditioner, not once has it had to be refilled with refrigerant..
The car is built like a tank!
It is a superb car, here in the UK you have to wait months to get one, they are very popular, not an old persons car at all. Reliability, quality, cost, 7 year warranty,range,performance,miles/KWh, these are the important features we look for,and the eNiro delivers.
Exactly, owning this car for 5 months now (full options model), coming from a Mercedes C class, I have never regret the trade in. So much fun driving every day, more power, luxury and less costs.
sandy was spot on i didn't even know why i picked it.
its the 90s look
I like to bitch about cars and things I don’t like in them but when I got my Nero EV, after a few days I could not find nothing to complain about. Not a modern car like me Tesla but damn SOLID EV. When I get my insurance money back I’ll buy another one right away.
My bitch about them is, you can't set the charge timer unless you set a time for the climate control to turn on automatically.
@@brunohill3229 You certainly can
Sandy is right that I've never needed the descaler on my Swiss Army Champ, but I've used all the 8 tools on my Manager more times than I can count. It's no substitute for a Benchmade, but it's easy enough to carry in addition.
You're the greatest, Sandy! We love you.
The hole left from the friction stir tool is where the tool is retracted at the end of the weld, not where the tool plunges in the beginning of the weld. And the other welds look like mig welds too me 🤷. Interseting that the outer fsw holes were mig welded shut but not the inner holes on the battery pack. Maybe dissimilar aluminum where the fsw is performed?
Car maybe expensive but it offers 7 years warranty in Europa. Others only 2 years. Great video hope to see more in depth of the battery and the electric motor.
The NiroEV is a bread and butter vehicle to experiment with different drivetrains for KIA. They sent that to Sandy to get feedback.
Laughed my ass off at "well designed 90's vehicle."
Packed in a Mazda design.
Like tesla without the batteries and the PlayStation and the IPod ALL
@@nexussymbiosis9270 better than 2021 shit? Its called perspective. Lots of people buy Toyotas for their perceived " reliability". How much of that is old tech? Would you buy a big pickup with rear drum brakes? ( i know Sandy thinks they are ok, but i think my life is more important than saving a few bucks) They are still being sold. Perspective.
Lol
90s electric car😅😂
polite way of saying, don't buy it.
I get what you're saying about the Swiss knife analogy, but somehow Kia (and Hyundai with the Kona) have succeeded in building very competitive EVs on these mixed energy platforms. These are very efficient and have a pretty good fanbase. However, going forward I'd expect them to introduce models in this class based on the e-GMP platform that is dedicated electric. It would be nice to get your hands on an EV6 or Ioniq 5...
I own a '29 Niro, and I agree, the next big change would b E-GMP based Niro. BUT lets hope they do not ruin the concept, the way VW did with the Beetle
That black vinyl on the sides of the battery pack might be cosmetic. Perhaps the battery can be seen from the side and silver would stand out? Just a guess.
Thanks for the much improved bumper sticker!!! You guys are awesome!
The Niro Came out in 2016. The engineering for the car started before that. So it is old. This car wasn't meant to fight the Model 3, ID 4, or Mach-E. Everything about the car is a compromise of packaging. With that said, e-Niro is a is a decent car for the money.
Exactly. Probably the best multiplatform vehicle. Which isnt saying much.
Kia gave him the car he didn't want, to review...
Maybe 90's tech but it was a smart way to get your feet wet in the EV market, their later offerings will show lessons learned and reflect Hyundai / Kia constant improvement which they have really demonstrated these days, some very high quality innovate stuff you can almost afford! Thanks as always Sandy for your insight....it means something!
its Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser.
Maybe it's a 90's car on the way the things are designed, but the Kia eNiro/Hyundai Kona shows really impressive efficiency figures, even if it's not a dedicated pure-EV platform. So their electrical powertrain should be quite good.
They're efficient because they're small. You can see it decrease as you go from to ioniq to the Kona to the Niro.
Great job as always !!
Thank you! Cheers!
Hello Sandy, I did see your video and what you where say is so right. I know in the UK we have lost so much just bye management and government look to get think done on the cheep then sending out manufacturing and design to cheep countries. No in the UK we have lost so many skills. I do hope the people that matter here you and your great country just get better and better. Keep well, keep safe and enjoy life.
What the market needs, to have BEVs as a more popular choice, it's cheaper options as the Kia Niro or Nissan Leaf.
We need compelling EVs, not mediocre EVs. We want customers to compare EVs to ICE and then choosing EV to be a 'no brainer'. This requires EVs that are safer, more efficient, have better performance, less maintence at equal or less cost. Some current EVs already meet those criteria.
@@davidharris7249 so do you really think the mainstream has plus 40K laying around to buy a new BEV, that suffers a major depreciation in less than five years of usage?
@@RogerM88 No what I believe is the average price for a new car in USA is the same as the price of a Tesla Model 3SR+, and for that price you get the better: safety, efficiency, performance, fuel costs, maintenance, OTA, tech, sound, and charging network, and no pollution, a battery that will last 200,00 miles plus and is recyclable, and best resale value. One doesn't need to pay up front, that is what leases and loans are for. If someone can't afford that price, then they can buy second have like I did for most of my adult life -- and if you are right about depreciation, then they ought to be cheap. BTW, Model 3's sell second-hand for almost as much as new, and in fat sometimes at more than the first owner paid for them. I am sick of people sounding off without actually looking into it. And I also think making mediocre BEVs is to purposely prop up sales of ICE cars.
Kia wants $44,000 for this junk.
someone needs to go jail.
At 7:38, rock flickers / stone impingement ? With those large bolts and small area I'd guess they were for handling the battery. What do you think, Sandy? Anyone?
Many thanks Sandy, we missed you the last time 🙂
You’re welcome 😊
I alway thought that Sandy did not talk about Kia Niro and the Kona was because he had a consulting relationship with them. What he does not see is the price, range, and efficiency trade off's that make this car competitive with the Tesla. The ID-4 is larger but uses 10-15 more juice to go from here to there. sandy does talk about lean design, and the Niro must have a little of that to get the efficiency that it does. Also, the Niro/kona handle regeneration better than anyone
Niro/kona EV are perfectly normal car. And among one of the best in efficiency. Way better than US & German Legacy makers. Excited for ioniq5/ev 6
Enjoy your rants, keep em coming! Cutting through the b.s. helps us all in the long run. Somebody has got to say the truth, sooner or later. Now is a good time.
Thanks for the review, Sandy. Its was a nice video on the Niro EV. I see it as low end EV, but i am glad it's well built even if the standards may not be cutting edge. I think I'd rather have quality than fancy with no substance.
Glad it was helpful!
As the owner of a Tesla 3 which happens to be a lemon, I’d rather have the Hyundai / Kia I think. Especially given the lack of responsibility shown by Tesla customer service for my rather expensive decidedly imperfect car.
more crowded ev market means more innovation or better prices. maybe they will stock an actual base model instead of the 50k platinum editions
$44,000 low end. or over priced , backward engineering piece of Junk. you decide.
Making a electric car less complex and more simple makes more sense too the masses. Keep cost down and give it flexility for major maintence at your local shop.
Well, its a car that came to market 5 years ago and was likely in development for several years before that. Im 100% positive KIA knows this wasnt the best they could do. That said it was the best price value of the time, one of the most efficient EVs, and the first BEV that I actually saw advertisements for in the wild. Just waiting for them to send him an EV6 or Ionic 5.
I agree. The price is the problem with this vehicle. This is a nice little car for a young person or and old person who both have somewhat limited needs. However, it is priced like a Tesla and that's not OK. Frankly, the hybrid is a better offering since it is $15,000 cheaper, gets good gas mileage (about as good as an old Prius) and the base model has all the stuff most people care about.
If the Niro EV was $30,000, that would be a decent offering, but at $39K base, that's just not priced right.
@@TeodorSpiridon ICE manufacturers want their customers to buy ICE or PHEV , they're all pushing those cars.
@Teodor, I agree. I have a 2018 non-plug-in hybrid Niro. It’s a solid little car that gets mileage about as good as a Prius for a reasonable price. I like the form factor and it is very agreeable (if not exciting) to drive.
But as a BEV for almost the price of a Model Y, it’s not a very good deal. I do have a neighbor who bought one on a very cheap lease deal, $298 per month, and she is very happy with it.
Kia et al really do need to find a way to make EVs less expensive. That won’t happen until batteries become much less expensive. The hybrid version has an almost $15K lower sticker price. It seems unlikely the price gap would ever be closed through reduced maintenance costs of the EV. I live in the central US and the EV version is very rare on dealer lots. For now the EV version seems to exist mostly for compliance in costal states and to build corporate experience in matters EV: nothing wrong with that, of course. It is a nice solid car, and I would be happy with it if a used one turned up for an attractive price.
@@wtmayhew It is not just the battery cost though. First people need to understand that the entire automotive industry has already been running on low margins for a very long time. A lot of that has to do with sunken cost. A manufacturer will spend billions developing a new platform, figuring out how to build the platform, and figuring out what vehicles it can put on that platform decades in advance. Then they spread out that cost over the next 20 to 30 years. The longer they can build with the same platform using the same engines, the more they operate in the black. Most manufacturers are barely halfway through the expected life span of their last platform and had hedged against pure EVs at that time. They hedged wrong and are now trying to meet rising market demand and regulatory pressure. That is expensive work.
How we get cheap EVs in the future is expensive EVs today. Period. There is no magic formula to make a super budget car that would meet all of the high tech buyer and regulatory expectations in the US. And there's no good way to shortcut the market processes that create cheaper materials. Except for dramatic government subsidies which most of this new wave of EV investor fanatics is against, even though most of the stalwarts of the financial system have benefitted from dramatic and perhaps excessive government assistance for decades. Oil for over a century. 🤷
The only thing Walker Texas Ranger fears is Sandy with an open blade.
All I have to say is ' 90's Niro or 2021 Bolt, sandy.' Virtually every reviewer that gets asked laughs and say.. oh yeah, the Niro EV. Much better ride.
90s brought us many great things, after all. heh
Ev motor up front gives more weight and pull for winter and wet conditions like front wheel drive. Hatchback should be more room.
i ran over something sharp rolling in the middle of the night. It punctured underneath. looks like a piece of cloth black tape is hanging underneath. Is it worth servicing my new niro?
Look at the EV6!
Your Angry-Sandy video was good.
I expect GM & Co - the old US boys - did that to Tesla. Big & Old doesn't like to change. And they got so much power...
thank you for these great analysis. can you please do the Hyundai Kona undercarriage review for comparison?
🤗. THANKS SANDY…KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK 👍. And we will keep tipping the cashiers, watching them smile and thank us 🤗😍😍😍
Thanks so much
@@MunroLive 🤗 YOU ARE VERY WELCOME MY FRIEND 🤗😍😍😍
I kinda got the impression that Sandy was “damning with faint praise”. . . especially a nice 90s car. . .
Munro should try out the Comma Three on the Kia vs. the stock ADAS
Been waiting for this car to be reviewed for a while. Thanks for looking at it. Wish you could take that massive motor apart. Been wanting to know why I hear some noise when slowing to a stop when regenerative kicks in. Wonder what bearings are being used. Think this is the issue.
I drove one the other day. I have one on order. That whine is generated when moving below around 12-15 mph. It's to warn pedestrians with an audible signal that an otherwise silent vehicle is approaching. 120 years ago this was accomplished by a man running along in front of the approaching vehicle waving a red flag. Locomotive horns provide a similar service for the railroads. DOT requirement.
@@ocd1927 its more like 12-0 mph, and its like drumming. Kia doesn't take it serious. I think it must be some type of baring, my volt has similar issue, but volt (2013 no pedestrian sound at this time) baring issue make the progression to 0 mph, made it sound like a spaceship. After the dealer fixed baring, the spaceship went away.
i bought my wife a Hyundai Elantra limited a couple years ago. They make damn good cars with a 10 year warranty. Im all about using reliable proven parts if theyre cost effective and durable. Her car has the Atkinson designed engine which is better than any direct injection engine for reliability IMO. Why reinvent the wheel when you dont have to unless its a better yet less expensive part. I respect Hyundai/Kia more than any other car maker( 2nd to Tesla of course). Id buy a HYUNDAI EV over any VW, GM, or FORD
You are amazing Sandy,god bless you. I really enjoy your you tube highly scientifically informative you tube . Best regards.
Thank you so much 😊
90’s but this car looks well put together, even better than mustang and id4 IMO. Very much of a Toyota engineering happened here. Thanks for sharing.
Well the IDs have 90s software
01:43 That’s not a knoif...
...this is a knoif 🤣
Once again Thank you Sandy, sometimes expressing your true views does open the eyes of unbeliever's as to what is really going on in the world. We definitely do need more people that are ready to stand for what the right thing to do are such as yourself.. It gives presence and validity to open the people's mindset that they may have fallen prey to.
I sincerely do hope that your new found successes continue to emblazon you to continue to fight the good fight and to live long and prosper. BRAVO Sir, signed off as a dedicated fan from Canada...
There appears to be a nice short length of cable between battery pack and motor, but the connections to the battery look quite vulnerable to road debris. Have I got that right or did I see it wrong. Also was it possible to see where the inverter was? Is it possible that the inverter is behind the bolt on plate at the corner of the battery?
Was there a cover over the electrical connections on the battery? I sure hope so.
Another comment from an Niro EV owner says yes, there is a cover which Sandy didn't mention removing.
Thx again for great video. Nice to learn so much about the different EV’s
I thiunk that's the the Asian approach to building vehicles: To use proventechnologies and improve where it's neccessary. This had to end up in a 90s BEV and it can actually work and last. Btw: would love to hear something about the thermal managment in the Niro. There are rumors that it's pretty well designed.
Well, its a gas car, its just a conversion.. Wait until Sandy gets his hands on one of Hyundai/Kia' ground up electric cars..
The US version of the Kona / Niro apparently did not ship with heat pumps for some model years. Here in EU or in Canada all model years have heat pumps
thats why KIA cars are catching fire.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I have a swiss army knife in my pocket all the time, use it a lot! the most I use it for is to open beer bottles, but the screw driver(s), scissor, knife(s) come in handy now and then too..
But I agree, if you have a swiss army knife that is too thick with too many features, it loses its versatility, because the thick knife prevents you from using the tools properly.
Btw, this whole car starts to turn out to be a perfectly designed 90's car LOL!, old does not always mean bad! often in means better!! (read: more durable!)
Nice review as always :-)
Same here, beer bottle opener gets used the most. Agree with Sandy,mine is just the blade and opener.
does the vinyl on the underside that runs along side of battery have any sort of texture? I am wodering if it somehow has groves or pattern to redirect rocks/debris toward the outside of the car so it will drop out and away onto roadway vs flying directly toward the rear
Having this as a company car for a year, overall very good. Not sure if it is due to the non equal length drive shafts, this EV is suffered from toqure steering when cornering with power
One of the connectors to the battery pack has tiny wires and are quite open and exposed. Looks vulnerable to whatever that comes at it.
I'd like to know what '90s design means in terms of performance and cost. Would the car ride/handle better or cost less with current design features?
I thought they used lead acid or nickel metal hydride batteries in EVs in the 90s. They are cheaper here than a Tesla M3 SR+ and have more range.
@@brunohill3229
What EVs with higher range than a Tesla ME SR+ sold new for less than the Tesla in the 1990s?
That access panel with all the heavy bolts seems overbuild. That blackout panel
seems like it will get dirty or covered in mud.
It's summer time now but in a few months that low hanging pipe up front and exposed low hanging battery connections may cause the winter of my discontent.
Except that the connections are not the lowest part, and another comment from an Niro EV owner says that there is a cover which Sandy didn't mention removing.
@@brianb-p6586 That makes me feel better, thanks!
Im sure that access panel is for kia certified tech diagnosis or repair. Repair and parts is a big concern you know
Not to those who have E niros, but what do they know?
Sandy carries a knife at all times because he's a cut above the rest.
It's to tear engineers a new hole with his videos
are the battery connections exposed like that in the front or was a panel removed?
A panel is removed.
One thing the eNiro does brilliantly is the efficiency, it's amazing
Man, the front of that battery hanging down below everything in front... just imagining driving that through snow. That black connector with the small wires hanging out is a goner.
How much component commonality does this have with Hyundai models? I'm sure I spotted the 'H' logo stamped into the lower control arm on the front suspension and on various stickers around the back.
What about all the unprotectet cabels going into the battery on the front! If it run over anything it will rip it all apart ??
You put the car back together before you drive it away.
Is that an SKI battery pack?
There’s a plate that goes under the motor right? Otherwise those connectors are going to get whacked by something, they are so low to the ground.
Another comment from an Niro EV owner says yes, there is a cover which Sandy didn't mention removing.
A well designed 90’s car?!? I wonder if the EV6 is built like this? The eNiro is a great car 👍
Can anyone confirm there is a tunnel above battery to run 12V wire for trailer hookup?
I like that there is cars that is made to be a to b cars. That is what monroe calls "old peoples car". If i was not studying automation engineering and like tecnically advanced systems. A kia niro could be perfect.
Keeping with the knife anology, a tesla is a goldplated special shaped one. Niro is a big clunky swiss knife. In my experience Skoda enjak is a regular steel knife. Maybe the new kia's is like the skoda or better 😊
Not enough space for a coilover for the i.r.s.?
Why would you want coil-over shocks? Suspension performance is best, if the shock and spring are mounted on an arm like this, with the shock as close to the wheel end as possible, and placing the coil spring around the shock keeps it from being as far out as it could be. This isn't a competition vehicle, so the adjustability of threaded spring mounts on the shocks would be pointless.
would be interesting to see the impact performance of the BEV vs hybrid vs ICE Niros
Foregone conclusion...
Niros do not have an ICE only configuration in the states the rest of the world I’m not sure. they only come in Hybrid/ plug in / and full EV
good use for Kia.
Do not the vehicle manufacturers have shop repair manuals ready at launch? I would think those would answer many questions before and during disassembly.
This model has been around for years... and yes, shop manuals are readily available.
I'm not keen on the vulnerability of the wiring at the front of the battery pack. Seems likely make contact with a kerb or piece of debris during the life of the vehicle-especially as the battery pack is so low slung.
BTW the Kia e-Niro is considered a very attractive car in Europe; very efficient with a good turn of speed and always has high ratings in reviews.
Lastly, the black tape on either side of the battery pack seems to be so that when seen from the side the car is visually 'blacked out' underneath rather than it's underpinnings being shiny and obvious. Take a look at the press photos.
I wonder if, in the interest of brevity, they omitted the removal of a protective shield?
@@jamesengland7461 They did - i have an e-Niro and none of that is visible from underneath. There's a shield running from the front right through to the battery.