Question for anyone I guess, but particularly TandM re: owning a Niro in an area where Kia doesn't sell EVs. I know these should be low-maintenance vehicles, but do you have a plan or experience for getting service if something goes wrong? Are there brand-agnostic EV service shops? How do you find them?
Kia Niro EV - new owner in the U.S.
- Thread starter TandM
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TandM
Active Member
Our local dealership has already gotten to see our Niro EV (a few times actually). First, we wanted the appliques around the door handles and floor mats but they weren't available yet at pick up (we had our Niro EV home before Kia had them on the website). Our local dealership is taking a great perspective on EVs and sees them as the future and not a threat to service so they sent multiple techs to EV training even though they can't carry the EV Niro. The training also works for hybrids and PHEV so until they carry EVs they can still put all the skills and tools to good use.
Letting them see it that first time for little things made it much easier for week 2 of ownership when we caught road debris and cracked the windshield. They were a bit more excited about getting to test their new calibration equipment than I was having my EV be the guinea pig but the windshield replacement and testing went well and we have had no issues with it since. The third trip was a bit more light hearted again as we were adding a spare tire (there is room for it and I routinely drive a 350 mile round trip that takes me to an area where I don't have cell signal so if something were to happen to a tire, I would need to change it myself which is much easier done when you have a spare).
In the end, it's a Kia and it comes with a warranty package. If the local dealership can't handle it (which honestly they should be able to as the hybrids and PHEVs are fairly widely carried), then it will be on Kia to deal with transporting it to a dealership that can service the warranty work.
You can also check https://plugstar.com/dealers/ for a listing of Electrified Dealerships in your area.
Robert Lewis
Member
Just picked up my Niro EV on 6/22. The two main vehicles I considered were the Kona Electric and the Niro EV. I test-drove the Kona, and it was nice, but a little small to comfortably fit 4 people. The Niro is just a little bigger inside, and ended up being the right balance of space and efficiency for us. Additionally, the Niro had automatic cruise control as standard on the EX (the trim level I was originally looking for).
I had spent the previous month or so emailing all of the dealers in my area (Los Angeles, CA) that had stock. All of the dealers were marking it up $5k above MSRP. I kept looking and emailing different dealers as new inventory showed up online. Finally found a dealer that was not marking up. Ended up getting the EX Premium for about $2,500 below MSRP, $1,200 below invoice. Loving it so far. Getting around 300 miles of range in Eco, using AC sparingly.
Started driving EV's with a 2013 Leaf, then a 2016 Volt (still have that, and love it, but has now gone to my wife). The deal breaker for me on the Leaf was the non-active battery temp management. When I turned in my leased 2013 Leaf in 2016 the battery was giving me only about 2/3 the original range and had lost 4 capacity bars. After three years in the Volt (with active battery cooling) I have experienced no perceptible battery range loss. I am still getting about 65 miles per charge on the Volt. So, active cooling on the battery was an absolute requirement for me - which the Niro EV has.
Regarding charging to 100% - from what I understand, that was a bad idea on the Leaf because Nissan made 100% of the batter capacity available for use - and charging up to 100% regularly is not necessarily great for Lithium Ion chem batteries. However, Chevy and Kia have taken a different approach. They do not make 100% of capacity available to the user. So, even if you are charging to "100%", it's not actually 100% - they hold some capacity both at the high and low end so your battery is never actually at 100% or 0%. In other words, 64Kwh is the 'usable' capacity of the battery - the the battery is actually a bit larger. The consensus seems to be that it's fine to charge to 100% on these cars, since it both helps with cell balancing and there is that extra buffer at both ends to preserve the battery.
I had spent the previous month or so emailing all of the dealers in my area (Los Angeles, CA) that had stock. All of the dealers were marking it up $5k above MSRP. I kept looking and emailing different dealers as new inventory showed up online. Finally found a dealer that was not marking up. Ended up getting the EX Premium for about $2,500 below MSRP, $1,200 below invoice. Loving it so far. Getting around 300 miles of range in Eco, using AC sparingly.
Started driving EV's with a 2013 Leaf, then a 2016 Volt (still have that, and love it, but has now gone to my wife). The deal breaker for me on the Leaf was the non-active battery temp management. When I turned in my leased 2013 Leaf in 2016 the battery was giving me only about 2/3 the original range and had lost 4 capacity bars. After three years in the Volt (with active battery cooling) I have experienced no perceptible battery range loss. I am still getting about 65 miles per charge on the Volt. So, active cooling on the battery was an absolute requirement for me - which the Niro EV has.
Regarding charging to 100% - from what I understand, that was a bad idea on the Leaf because Nissan made 100% of the batter capacity available for use - and charging up to 100% regularly is not necessarily great for Lithium Ion chem batteries. However, Chevy and Kia have taken a different approach. They do not make 100% of capacity available to the user. So, even if you are charging to "100%", it's not actually 100% - they hold some capacity both at the high and low end so your battery is never actually at 100% or 0%. In other words, 64Kwh is the 'usable' capacity of the battery - the the battery is actually a bit larger. The consensus seems to be that it's fine to charge to 100% on these cars, since it both helps with cell balancing and there is that extra buffer at both ends to preserve the battery.
Hello, I'm a current owner of Kia Soul EV and my lease is about up. Couple of questions about the Niro that I am hoping someone can answer before I check one out in-person. Thank you so much!
1. Can you leave the car running with climate control on and lock the car? We do this with our Soul by leaving the FOB inside but by taking the physical key with us. We use it when or dog is with us running errands.
2. Is there a setting where you can prevent the charging cord from being locked in? We have a shared charger at work and would like to put a sign that would allow others unplug and charge if I ever have to leave the car there.
1. Can you leave the car running with climate control on and lock the car? We do this with our Soul by leaving the FOB inside but by taking the physical key with us. We use it when or dog is with us running errands.
2. Is there a setting where you can prevent the charging cord from being locked in? We have a shared charger at work and would like to put a sign that would allow others unplug and charge if I ever have to leave the car there.
Robert Lewis
Member
I don't know the answer to your first question, but on your second question - the 'Auto Mode' of the charging connector lock keeps the charging cable locked until the charge is complete and then unlocks it. This function is described in detail on page 1-17 of the manual, if that helps. However, I've not seen any way to just keep the charging cable unlocked when the doors of the vehicle are locked.
TandM
Active Member
Congrats on the new Niro!! I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
As for the "charging to 100%" comments on the Niro's (probably Kona, and perhaps Bolt as well), I have to agree -- as well as confirm by something I noticed in the Kia UVO app yesterday and from what we've seen charging as well. On the battery and charging "About Your Battery" information page in the app (see attachment), it states a couple of interesting "battery care tips" (aside from some of the obvious no brainers like not driving to completely empty):
- If the high voltage battery charge is below 20% you can keep its performance in optimal condition by charging it to 100%
- Charging to 100% at least once a month is good for your high voltage battery
Enjoy your new car!
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TandM
Active Member
We haven't used it on ours yet, but I know at least the US models of the Niro EV have a "Utility Mode". It allows for use of "All electric devices" but the vehicle cannot be driven. Not sure if this covers HVAC or not -- will have to check and get back to you.
There appear to be only two Connector Lock modes, Lock and Auto. Either way, while charging, the connector is locked. Per the manual, if the doors are unlocked, the charging cable connector will be unlocked for 15 seconds, and will re-lock immediately. I am interested in seeing if this works with the Remote Unlock feature as well. Going to have to give that a try.
Hope it helps.
TandM
Active Member
So after some quick testing this afternoon, the big challenge I suspect most folks will have with Utility Mode is that the car effectively expects you to STAY with it. That is to say, you can get out of the car -- of course -- and get back in, but it won't allow you to LOCK the car electronically while OUTSIDE the car -- unless you might be able to get inventive with the actual physical key and manual door locks from the inside (someone mentioned something like this in a Soul post somewhere, I think). If you step out of the car (with the fob) and try to lock the car, it beeps a long annoying "you can't do that, I'm still running" beep at you and won't lock.
Most folks might not want to leave their car unlocked while away from it, running in utility mode or otherwise -- even if someone couldn't actually drive off with it and get away. It depends on the setting, but I'm typically not that trusting.
The upside about Utility Mode is -- everything except for the actual "driving" parts of the car still work... interior and exterior lights, stereo/satellite, HVAC, etc. all running on the High Voltage battery and DC-to-DC converter like normal. It won't allow you to shift into gear, and requires you to Turn Off the car completely before returning to the normal driving non-utility mode the next time the Power button is pressed to turn it back on. Utility Mode is a one-way setting until you power cycle the car (utility on -> off -> on) with a fob present to get back to driving mode. It might be useful and safer in this non-drivable mode if you wanted to say, run a small inverter, or keep the cabin warmer/cooler longer than the 10 minute allowed pre-treatment, or something similar. I'm sure there are other use cases out there.
So, "summer-time dog mode" on the Niro is feasible if you don't mind leaving the car unlocked -- but know that it's going to remain stationary without a key fob present or a lot of extra effort (tow truck, etc.). At least that's our initial findings and understanding so far. If anyone determines or experiences anything different, please speak up and let us know.
Bill Benstead
New Member
Those owners who are reporting a noise may find this uk thread useful for the dealer cure, grease and realignment of a part.
https://www.speakev.com/threads/braking-regen-noise.138230/page-4#post-2670296
https://www.speakev.com/threads/braking-regen-noise.138230/page-4#post-2670296
Bill Benstead
New Member
With respect to previous post page 2 of the post user Wodgem has the answer.
Wow! Where in Cali are you getting below MSRP? The party line I'm hearing is that they're selling at MSRP because everyone else is marking them up. I'm seeing a lot of stock, however, so I'm wondering if they aren't selling as fast as they thought they would?
TheHellYouSay
Member
I just put some money down on one in WA with a purchase price right at MSRP, plus $995 delivery of course. I too had done a nationwide search and found that the East Coast had some pretty good deals on the Kias and Hyundais. I hope to finalize the purchase in August when WA offers the $2,500 tax credit.
I was nervous about availability after 8/1 since the WA tax relief plus the Feds $7,500 made for a cool $10k discount, so I've been watching sales activity for last 3 months or so, but I think maybe people are a bit worried about the economy or something because they weren't "flying out the door" like I've heard in other states. In any case, I want one for a variety of personal reasons, but mostly for the potential of 250,000 miles with < $1K of maintenance. The higher level trim package is attractive since it includes the power seats (really, no power seats on a $40K car?) and sunroof (have to keep an ICE I guess).
There are dealerships in WA and OR that are selling at MSRP, but it seems inflated because the cold weather package - battery heater and heat pump - (required & desired) adds $1K. A savvy shopper who didn't mind buying from a distance could probably pick one up in WA or OR. Oregon has Konas, Washington does not. At least from what I could tell...
Robert Lewis
Member
Yeah, it was pretty surprising to me too. Again, I spent a month just going on the main Kia site to find inventory and emailing dealers. When I emailed this dealer, three had just come in and they agreed to sell me one at MSRP. Two weren't even prepped yet. I confirmed that twice, as EVERY OTHER dealer I contacted was charging $5k above MSRP. I was originally going for the EX, but by the next morning, the dealership emailed me to tell me it had sold the night before. So, all that was left were the two EX Premiums. But, they said they'd work a deal for me if I was still interested. So, with MSRP as a starting point, I was able to negotiate the deal I got. By the day after that, the third one had sold as well. I'm not really sure why they worked the deal they did, but I'm pretty happy. The dealer was Kia of Pomona.
Domenick
Well-Known Member
Feel free to give the dealer a shout-out. It may help others find a decent deal.
Robert Lewis
Member
Sure, that was my last sentence, but perhaps I buried the lede. It was Kia of Pomona (CA).