Consumer's Report Rating

Discussion in 'Kia Niro' started by Robby Robinson, Nov 17, 2021.

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  1. When we purchased our Niro in 2019, it was listed at the Top of similar EV's. That rating was a factor in my purchase. A year ago it went to the bottom - a "no buy" recommendation with no explanation. In the meantime, both the Kona and Bolt have experienced battery recalls, yet they remain on top. Should I lose confidence in CR ratings?

    Our car is great - best I've ever owned. Not one problem in 16,000 (Covid) miles. I leased so must make a decision next year before October. We plan to buy, unless there is something I don't know.

    Any thoughts?
     
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  3. CR EV

    CR EV Active Member

    CR's ratings are based on their subscriber's reports along with some input from recalls. I assume that enough CR subscribers had problems to cause the downrating. There were clearly some teething issues, but like you, I have no complaints...and I am a CR subscriber and told them so in completing the twice yearly survey on products.
     
  4. Danhen

    Danhen Active Member

    Not familiar with the 2019 ratings versus other EV's, but CR's website shows all the current details.

    The 2021 Niro EV has an overall score of 55, whereas the '21 Kona has an overall score of 73, and the '22 Bolt has an overall score of 63. Don't think it's true the '21 Kona and '22 Bolt have experienced battery recalls. Easy to drill down into the ratings to explain the different scores. While we also have had no trouble with our Niro, anyone who follows this forum knows some owners have had significant issues.

    While it's true CR considers owner experiences in their ratings, the results of their own testing is a substantial portion of the score. Not sure if/how they consider recalls. Personally I generally feel recalls are a good thing. I would rather have a problem fixed at my leisure versus some manufacturers who choose not to recall and let owners bear the risk of dealing with the problems after there are failures and it becomes an emergency.

    So far as individual experiences go, sure even the lowest rated cars will have some happy owners. And the highest rated cars will have some owners with problems. Look at how low the Model Y is rated, and then look at how happy the owners are. CR tabulates the experiences of large numbers of owners. There will always be outliers. Of course individual owners will tend to be most familiar with their own experiences.
     
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  5. I had a 2019 Chevy Bolt. I went through a buy-back through GM and leased a 2022 Kia Niro EV EX after looking at many reviews. CR is just one source of many.
     
  6. Danhen

    Danhen Active Member

    Yes, and while much of CR's ratings are based on objective info, of course some of it is subjective. What's important to them may or not be important to you. That's why it's so important to dig into the ratings and understand exactly why any car (and pretty much any other product) ended up being rated as it did. So many folks look no further than the rankings, and that can be a huge mistake.
     
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  8. BillX

    BillX New Member

    Unless things have changed since I was a CR regular, they separate their own performance/test rating of the car from reliability issues. Bad reliability may cause them to not recommend a car they otherwise would have recommended, but it does not affect their test rating.
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2021
  9. CR EV

    CR EV Active Member

    Yes, I was referring to the reliability component of the recommended/not consideration.
     
  10. BillX

    BillX New Member

    I am not a member so I can't see actual review. But this is the text currently on their webpage for the 2022 Niro EV:

    "The Niro EV is a versatile all-electric hatchback that boasts an impressive EPA-estimated 239-mile range. That—plus a heavy dose of practicality and creature comforts—makes it one of the most livable new EVs. Compared to the Tesla Model 3, it has a more forgiving ride, a roomier interior, and easier-to-use controls. It also feels more refined and substantial than the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf."
     
  11. Shark

    Shark Active Member

    When you say "test rating" I assume you mean what they call "Roadtest Rating". Yes, it's true reliability issues are not part of the Roadtest Rating, but it should also be noted that reliability issues ARE part of the Overall Rating.

    Coincidentally, in just the last 24 hours the EV ratings have been substantially updated (that's what BillX is quoting from)and now compare the '22 Niro (was '21 a day ago) to the following 2022 models.. Mach E, Models 3, Y, X, and S, Bolt, Kona, Etron, Polestar 2, Taycan, and iPace, as well as 2021 i3. The My21 ID4 is "in test".

    The Niro has the highest overall score of the group at 88. Perhaps most notable is predicted reliability has improved from the worst possible rating (red) to the highest possible rating (dark green). The next highest is the Mach E at 80.

    Here's a portion of the full roadtest results as posted in the last 24 hours (can't fit it all into a single post):

    The Niro EV is a versatile all-electric hatchback that boasts an impressive EPA-estimated 239-mile range. That—plus a heavy dose of practicality and creature comforts—makes it one of the most livable new EVs. Compared to the Tesla Model 3, it has a more forgiving ride, a roomier interior, and easier-to-use controls. It also feels more refined and substantial than the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf.

    The Niro EV isn’t just a pragmatic choice—it’s also an enjoyable one. Like other EVs, the Niro is quick to accelerate and scoots silently down the road. The positioning of the large battery gives the Niro EV a low center of gravity, which helps when tackling sharp corners. The all-electric drivetrain also eliminates some of the deficiencies of the Niro Hybrid, such as bumpy shifts and delays when accelerating.

    Even the base version is well appointed. Every Niro EV comes standard with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and advanced safety systems such as forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane departure warning (LDW), blind spot warning (BSW), and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW). The EX Premium trim is costly but adds desirable extras, such as leather seats, a sunroof, and heated and cooled front seats. Buyers in chilly climates can also add a heat pump that will help keep the cabin warm without quickly draining the battery, and a battery-heating system to speed up cold-weather charging.

    Like its hybrid siblings, the Niro EV has an upright driving position, easy access for passengers and cargo, good visibility, and the utility of a small SUV.

    The car does have a few weak spots. It isn’t available with all-wheel drive, and the rear seat may sit uncomfortably low for some passengers. Plus, it takes about 10 hours to charge from a 240-volt charger, and options quickly drive up the price. The Kia is initially available only in select states, although the company says it plans to expand sales nationwide.

    The Niro’s most direct competitor is the Hyundai Kona Electric. They share a similar powertrain, but the Kona has a lower starting price, slightly more range, and less interior space. Both of them are prime examples of the rapid advancement of EVs.

    Best Version to Get
    The base EX is well equipped, especially considering all its standard safety features. The pricey EX Premium trim adds serious upgrades like leather seating, a sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power driver seat with lumbar support adjustment.

    Cold-climate buyers should be aware of two standalone options: a battery heater and a heat pump. The heater warms the battery up to an optimal temperature when plugged in for faster charging speeds. That makes a difference when the temperature outside is below 45 degrees F.

    Notable changes:
    The Niro Electric is the first long-range electric vehicle from Kia. It shares many of its components with the Hyundai Kona Electric. (Hyundai and Kia are corporate cousins. For 2022, the touchscreen is now a standard 10.25-inch display with built-in navigation and Kia's UVO connectivity service.

    Driving Experience
    1 / 2
    [​IMG]
    Drivers can increase the level of regenerative braking and slow down instead of braking.
    [​IMG]
    It took us 9.5 hours to charge the Niro EV from nearly empty on a 240-volt connection.


    Powertrain

    We clocked the Niro EV’s 0-60 mph sprint at a quick 6.8 seconds. As is typical for EVs, the Niro accelerates with a decisive initial spurt of power, and prodding the accelerator pedal results in smooth and immediate forward thrust at higher speeds. This is especially useful when passing or merging.

    The 64-kWh battery provides a robust range. The EPA pegs it at 239 miles, but that seems conservative based on our observations.

    It takes 9.5 hours on a 240-volt connection to charge the battery from 10 percent to full. Kia claims that it will take about an hour to add 70-percent battery charge at a 100-kW DC fast-charger, but those public chargers are rare, and can be difficult to find.

    Handling

    Compared to the hybrid version of the Niro, the EV benefits from electrification when it comes to handling. A heavy battery at floor level and a lack of a conventional engine over the front axle give the Niro a low center of gravity and good weight distribution. In everyday driving, the car turns in promptly without much body roll. The Niro EV also proved agile and capable on our test track, where it demonstrated neutral, balanced handling. At the limits, it was easy to keep the car pointed at corners while following a desired line. It also performed well in our avoidance maneuver, in which our testers steer suddenly around a set of cones as if swerving around an obstacle at highway speeds.

    Ride comfort

    The Niro’s ride is comfortable but firm. It absorbs most bumps well, but it has a tendency to transmit short and quick motions that make the ride feel a bit fidgety.

    Noise

    Unsurprisingly, the EV is the quietest version of the Niro. Instead of the hybrid’s coarse engine sounds, there’s just a soft whisper of motor hum. Wind and road noise are barely noticeable. Like all EVs, the Niro EV emits a high-pitched whine at speeds below 12 mph to warn pedestrians of its approach, but we found the particular sound Kia chose to be grating.

    Braking

    The Niro EV had a solid performance in our tests with short stopping distances, especially on wet pavement. The brake pedal’s response was a bit nonlinear and took some getting used to. Drivers can also make use of the paddle on the left side of the steering wheel to initiate regenerative braking and minimize the use of the brake pedal during deceleration, but passengers may end up nauseous from the ensuing abrupt motions.

    Partial automation

    The Niro’s driver assist features are completely customizable, and there are a lot of options to pick from. The driver assistance menu in the instrument cluster lets drivers choose between LDW or LKA.

    The LDW system has both visual and audible warnings. Its annoying beep cannot be turned off and will automatically be on if any other LKA systems are being used. The “Lane Following Assist” feature claims to track the vehicle ahead. With both it and LKA turned on, the Niro struggles to stay in the center of a lane, but at least it stays within the lines on most straight roads. A “Driver Attention Warning” warns the driver if there is too much swaying within the lane. This feature does not work well, and we predict most drivers will likely never use it.

    ACC has three different settings for how it accelerates. The adjustment is labeled “SCC Reaction” in the menu, which stands for Smart Cruise Control. When set to the fast setting, the car accelerates quickly after the vehicle ahead speeds up rapidly or leaves the lane. “Lead vehicle departure alert” beeps whenever a vehicle is detected ahead in the same lane, and can be turned off.

    Headlights

    Our Niro EV came with optional LED headlights, which do a good job of lighting the road ahead with both low and high beams.

    Low beams provide good levels of brightness and white color that is pleasing to drive behind. They project a good distance ahead and also illuminate the sides of the road.

    High beams improve on that distance still further. A distinct cutoff marks the transition between light and darkness at the top of the low beam pattern, which can reduce the range of visibility when driving over dips and bumps in the road.
     
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  13. Shark

    Shark Active Member

    Here's the balance:
    Inside The Cabin
    1 / 3
    [​IMG]
    Unlike some other EVs, the Niro EV’s cargo area is free of obstructions.
    [​IMG]
    The rotary gear selector knob always returns to the same position, so it takes some getting used to.
    [​IMG]
    Blue stitching is unique to the Niro EV.


    Interior fit and finish

    The Niro EV EX Premium has a slightly nicer interior than the Niro hybrid we previously tested. The upper portion of the front doors are slightly padded (the rear doors only have hard plastic) and the armrests are stitched and padded, both front and rear. The doors also have a huge swath of glossy black trim around the latch and window switch surround that spruces up their look.

    The seats are perforated and feature teal blue stitching and piping, which matches the stitching on the leather steering wheel. The upper portion of the dashboard is lightly padded, but the lower portions feel hard. The dash vents are trimmed with—you guessed it—teal blue, and the center console has an upscale look thanks to an abundance of glossy black and chrome trim. The carpet is fairly thick and soft, while the floor mats are thin but feel sturdy.

    We noticed some gaps—the trim that surrounds the climate control system didn’t fit quite right, for example. Overall, we think the fit and finish is better than in many EVs, but it still falls short of what most buyers expect when they pay $47,000 for a new vehicle.

    Driving position

    The elevated, upright seating position makes the Niro feel more like an SUV than a car. The EV has a different center console than the Niro hybrid, with an opening toward the dashboard that frees up space for the driver’s right knee; taller drivers found that their knee still brushed up against the lower portion of the dashboard, though. Headroom is adequate for most drivers, although taller testers wished the seat could be moved a bit lower. All drivers appreciated the wide and well-placed left footrest. The door armrest could use thicker padding, but the center armrest is quite comfy.

    Visibility

    Because of its SUV-like stature, the Niro provides a good view out the front. The windshield pillars are mostly slim, although they do get thick toward the base. We appreciated the long and fairly tall front side windows. The rear side windows are also long, and they don’t taper much rearward. But the rear roof pillars are chunky and end up creating large blind spots—the small rear triangle window back there does little to help.

    In addition to blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning, our test car was also equipped with optional front and rear parking sensors.

    Seat comfort

    The front seats offer decent support and fit nearly all our testers well. The driver's seat is fully powered with a two-way lumbar adjustment. The passenger seat is manual and has no lumbar adjustment. The rear seat is a bit low to the ground, and the Niro EV’s high floor forces passengers’ knees to point up.

    Access

    It’s easy to get in the front. The opening is large and the seat is at a good height, but the sill is somewhat wide to step over. The rear opening is large and square-shaped at the top, which helps head clearance.

    Usability

    There were very few usability issues in the Niro EV. The gear selector is well labeled and easy to see. The gear selector is a large knob that clicks when turned to Reverse or Drive, and a large button on top is used to shift into Park. We think it won’t take long for drivers to adjust to using this simple design.

    Strangely, there is a conspicuous button below the shifter labeled “P Release” that might be confused with the parking brake at first, but it is a rarely used feature for when the vehicle is towed.

    Most controls work well. There are plenty of large buttons that feel well made. The plastic audio volume and tuning knobs have clear detents when turned, but the detents for the two climate control knobs are less distinct. The only other minor complaints were a few other buttons in seemingly random locations.

    Audio system

    The Niro electric comes with a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen that offers split screen app viewing and is generally well organized and easy to use.

    Navigation

    The optional onboard navigation system can direct drivers to public chargers. Without built-in navigation, the car can only show a list of the nearest charging stations by downloading them through the UVO link connection. In that case, the actual navigation to the venue must take place in Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

    Factory navigation also features lane guidance, voice recognition, and live traffic data via XM traffic information. Points of interest can be searched using an integrated network over the UVO link.

    Phone

    There are clearly marked steering-wheel buttons for phone commands. A dedicated phone button on the steering wheel brings up a paired phone’s recent calls on the touch-screen display. It’s pretty simple to interact with it.

    Connectivity

    The Niro EV supports Google Assistant or Siri when using a smartphone. It also supports onboard voice recognition for phone, audio, and navigation (if equipped), but outside of Siri or Google Assistant it does not have natural voice recognition built in.

    There are two USB connections—one for data and one solely for charging—and an AUX port. The EX Premium adds a wireless charging pad for Qi-compatible phones. UVO link remote service comes standard. The associated smartphone app allows control of charging, remote locking and unlocking, and more. UVO link remote comes free for the first year, and then requires a paid subscription.

    Climate features

    All Niro EVs come standard with a single-zone automatic climate system and heated outside mirrors. Heated and cooled front seats are standard on the top EX Premium model. Some testers complained that the heat was a bit slow to get going on cold mornings—not uncommon with EVs. To make the climate system more efficient, the Niro EV comes with a “driver only” setting that focuses on the driver’s space.

    The Kia Access with UVO link app allows owners to remotely preheat or cool the cabin while the vehicle is plugged in. That minimizes battery drain and gets the cabin to the right temperature before driving.

    We opted for the Niro’s battery heating system, which, according to Kia, “pre-warms the battery while the vehicle is plugged in, helping to maximize battery performance and driving range.” Buyers in northern climates will likely appreciate this feature.

    Most EVs use an electric heating coil to warm up a cold cabin, which takes away energy that could’ve been used for driving range. The Niro EV’s available heat pump uses residual heat from the motor and battery to blow warm air into the cabin instead. If the temperature difference between the inside and outside is greater than 30 degrees F, it can relieve the burden on the battery and in turn reduce loss of range.
     
  14. Shark

    Shark Active Member

    Actually needed a third post to fit it all:
    Cabin storage

    Front passengers have two easy-to-access open bins in front of the gear selector, which are good for stashing a phone. One of them is even big enough for a large wallet or a small purse or bag. There’s also a small bin under the padded elbow rest.

    Cup holders

    Front passengers get two cup holders. They have a slippery plastic base and lack anti-tip measures, but when not in use they can be covered by a sliding lid. Rear seat passengers have two cup holders nestled into the fold-down center armrest. All four doors have built-in bottle holders.

    Cargo area

    The Niro EV’s battery does not take up any cargo space, and the SUV-like design is useful, but the Niro EV’s cargo space isn’t large by any means unless you fold the seats down. The rear seatback folds almost completely flat. With the rear seats down, the Niro has more cargo room than the Hyundai Kona Electric or Nissan Leaf.

    With the seats up, the Niro has more room for cargo than the Tesla Model 3 or the similar Hyundai Kona Electric, but less space than the smaller Nissan Leaf. Our tests show it will hold two suitcases and two duffel bags comfortably behind the rear seat. The cargo floor carpeting is thin and feels cheap.

    Spare tire

    A tire sealant kit is standard on all trims. A space-saver space tire is available from the dealer.

    Safety & Driver Assist Systems
    Crash-test results

    IIHS and NHTSA have not crash tested the Niro EV. The plug-in and hybrid versions of the Niro earned an IIHS top Safety Pick Plus.

    Crash-avoidance systems

    The Niro EV comes with standard safety equipment such as forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot warning (BSW), and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW).

    Forward collision warning system and automatic emergency braking -- This system is designed to reduce the likelihood and severity of a frontal crash. The system provides multiple levels of alerts depending upon the collision risk. The basic alert gives the driver a visual and audible alert. The last two add different levels of automatic braking. The driver can set the forward collision warning to early, normal, or late alert. Plus, when an impact is anticipated, the system will pre-charge the brakes to give the driver greater braking force.

    Blind spot warning -- Like another set of eyes, it monitors a vehicle’s flanks, indicating with a lighted symbol in the side mirrors if a car is detected in an adjacent lane. The symbol will start flashing to warn drivers of a vehicle in the adjacent lane. If the turn signal is used and a vehicle is in the car’s blind spot an audible alert will be heard.

    Rear cross traffic warning -- When in Reverse, the system scans for vehicles approaching behind from either side. It sends an audible alert and flashes the blind spot warning icon if a vehicle is sensed. This is handy and we liked having the audible alert since the flashing icon may not be visible when turning back.

    Crash notification

    With the UVO link Connected Care service, an automatic collision notification feature will connect to a live operator if a crash takes place. It also supports SOS emergency service and is able to dispatch roadside assistance or first aid. It requires cellular reception by the vehicle. This service comes free for three years and requires a paid subscription after the initial trial period.

    Rollaway risk

    The Niro EV’s gear selector is initially unintuitive, which may result in the driver failing to select Park when intended. If the vehicle unintentionally ends up in Neutral, there is a possible rollaway risk.

    Child safety

    You may be hard-pressed to accommodate three child seats across this rear seat.

    Rear-facing seats are difficult to install in the center seat because the long buckle stalk will most likely interfere with the car seat’s belt path. You'll probably need to raise the center head restraint when installing a forward-facing seat in the center seating position.

    Rear-facing infant seats may be a challenge to install in the outboard seats. That’s because of belts that sit forward of where the seatback meets the seat cushion and wide buckle anchor spacing. To access the tether anchors, you will need to remove the cargo cover. Kids who use booster seats may require two hands to buckle themselves in the center seating position.

    Warranty
    All cars come with basic warranty coverage, also known as a bumper-to-bumper warranty. This protects consumers against unexpected problems with non-wear items. Powertrain warranty protects against engine and transmission troubles. Rust through, or corrosion warranty, covers rust to non-damaged components. Roadside aid provides on-location assistance in case of a breakdown and may include limited towing services.

    Extended warranties provide peace of mind. Owners of models known to have worse-than-average predicted reliability can mitigate risks with an extended warranty. Generally, we recommend buying a model with better-than-average reliability and skipping this expensive add on. If you do buy an extended warranty, it is key to read the small print to understand what is covered and where you can bring the car for repairs.

    Basic
    5 years/60,000 miles
    Drivetrain
    10 years/100,000 miles
    Corrosion
    5 years/100,000 miles
    Roadside Aid
    5 years/60,000 miles
    Road Test Scores by Trim
    [​IMG]
    Wagon EX Premium Electric-Cyl 1-Speed Direct
    81 / 100
     
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  15. Shark

    Shark Active Member

    Noticed the reference to the LED headlights (no longer available in the U.S) That's because the roadtest was done with an early MY19 Premium)
     
  16. 3XG

    3XG New Member

    Thanks! That was fun to read. Seemed mostly positive and I couldn't agree more! It's a nice effort by KIA. I can't wait to see what the EV6 and Ioniq 5 are like when my lease is up.
     
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  17. marshall

    marshall Well-Known Member

    Shark it's not cool and probably illegal to copy that much of an article without permission.

    If folks want to read the article, they need to either pay for a subscription or see if their local library has a copy of the magazine or online access for those with a library card.
     
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  18. CR EV

    CR EV Active Member

    Current Consumer Reports snapshot...and yes, please subscribe, they do a great job: 2022 niro EV Consumer Reports.jpg
     
  19. Danhen

    Danhen Active Member

    How much of the article are you allowed to copy?
     
  20. CR EV

    CR EV Active Member

    Consumer Reports allows members to print articles (I often print as .pdf) and mail links that allow access to the full article to people who are not subscribers. Presumably, that is a benefit to subscribers and good PR for becoming one. They probably would not be OK with, for example, my printing a .pdf and uploading it here...but I haven't asked so really don't know. It really is a great resource. Get a subscription and see.
     
  21. Electra

    Electra Active Member

    0% without permission. :)
     
  22. CR EV

    CR EV Active Member

  23. cwerdna

    cwerdna New Member

    I don't believe respondents are supposed to ding any vehicle for recalls. https://www.consumerreports.org/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/consumer-reports-car-reliability-faq-a1099917197/ says "We ask them to include problems covered by warranty, but not the ones resulting from accident damage or due solely to recall." If enough people don't follow directions, that can push reliability scores down esp. given the very low average problem rates in a 12 month window for newer cars (it's shorter for the most recent model year).

    I made comments about this at https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/bolt-drops-in-cr-reliability-survey-recall-related.41555/#post-670575 and https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/bolt-drops-in-cr-reliability-survey-recall-related.41555/#post-670791.
     

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