Consumer Reports Rates Niro Unreliable.

It only mentions the 2019 ev in the review. Maybe it doesn't apply to the 2020. Fingers crossed. But, Kia and Hyundai are usually pretty good with their recalls.

 

I question CRs conclusion. They still recommend the Kona Electric and it has the same motor and issues with its batteries.

 

Early adapter issues are notorious in tech circles. EV's are basically computers running wheels. I decided for myself to get an EV knowing that there might be those kinds of early adapter issues. One of the reasons I went with the Kia is that there is a dealer in my town that, having talked to the techs, seems to know what they are doing. Buying an EV that can't be serviced locally is a really bad idea.

 

The resale value is already shot. If you leased this you've won. If you bought it like me, expect 70% depreciation in 3-4 years.

 

My theory has always been "drive it till it drops", well, I have passed some down to the no-longer kids. Use that 10 year warranty...

 

Absolutely

 

With a 10 year warranty, it doesn't worry me much. With EV's so new (at least in large scale) there's bound to be issues, not to mention a lot of orphans in 5 years. From what I read, Tesla had a similar problem with their motors. They took care of their warranty claims (and even those out of warranty) so quick that the public didn't notice. Let's hope for a permanent fix at some point.

 

So why has it taken this long to finally show up on a news source? CR of all sources isn't the most quick. Why hasn't this site made an article about it already?

 

I would think the concern is sample sizes. I do not think you could say, reliably, that the Niro EV has systemic motor issues. A lot of us here (myself included) are only here to report problems.

Just a thought.

 

While I would agree that's a good journalistic standard to hold to, I haven't seen that to be the case with much of the speculative reporting I see going on here (for example the ridiculous rendering posted as news worthy). I'm more suspicious that there is concern of losing advertising money.

 

I haven't had any issues with my Niro-EV. I've had it for 18 months and 22,000kM. I've completed one 5,000kM road trip and several others at around 1,100km.

 

CR is not the thorough authority it used to be.

I stopped reading it when the down rated the Corvette because it did not have enough trunk space.... idiots..

Greg

 

There is definitely a selection effect. I wonder if the same applies to the sample CR used for their survey. Or maybe I am just lucky af with my vehicle. (~7k miles...low mileage
year thanks to pandemic)

 

I've been thinking this very same thing, as I've been on various hybrid/EV forums for over 10 years now and have seen the above over and over again. There are some people who are inquisitive and want to learn about and discuss their hybrid/EV and those people join on their own when they get the hybrid/EV or even before the purchase. On the other hand, there are some who really weren't as interested in that (some are more interested in forums than others, nothing wrong with either) but as soon as a problem occurred that's when they did some internet searching and found the forum and were happy to find a place to either get info, to vent, or to give the manufacturer a black eye online since the owner is frustrated about the experience. I understand the concept (sure can't blame the owner for being frustrated) and have seen some of that here, but I don't think there are many Niro forums out there and those who've come here as a result of experiencing such problems are still a pretty low number, IMHO.

 

My last three vehicles I've owned for 8, 25 and 27 and counting years. I don't care about depreciation in 3-4 years.

 

Yes, and keeping your cars that long puts you way ahead if you keep them up in good shape. Leasing is losing money.

Greg