Potential for under-hood (frunk) storage space?

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Nato

Nato

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Another pre-purchase question:

Some of the videos and photos I've seen make it appear as if there's small but sufficient amount of space available under the hood to create a "frunk."

Living in a city cars are targets of break-ins and leaving my rear cargo space exposed in my current wagon is a conspicuous way of stating "I've got nothing to steal."

It would certainly be nice to have a small amount of usable space I could partition off — much like the guy did with a custom, removable plywood divider in the "25% more trunk space" video — where I could store my smallish laptop bag.

But, even if the space is available, is there a heat concern up here that would foil that plan? Anything else that would make it unworkable?
 
Unless you order the spare tire kit, there is quite a bit of space under the cargo floor (both foam layers are removable, you could use leave one to help store the tire patch kit and charger but set the laptop case in there as well).
 
I like your question because I too have thought about why there couldn't be some way to utilize the potential space "under the hood". How is it that Tesla, even with the smaller Model 3 is able to provide a neat little space in the "frunk" and yet other EV's seem to be unable to incorporate more components as part of the underbody "skateboard"?
 
sosmerc said:
I like your question because I too have thought about why there couldn't be some way to utilize the potential space "under the hood". How is it that Tesla, even with the smaller Model 3 is able to provide a neat little space in the "frunk" and yet other EV's seem to be unable to incorporate more components as part of the underbody "skateboard"?
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In a nutshell, Tesla uses individual wheel motors instead of having one larger motor and gearbox.
 
Yes, and I hear that some vehicles may soon have wheels built right into the hubs and each wheel can steer as well. (great for parking in tight situations).
 
Nato said:
Another pre-purchase question:

Some of the videos and photos I've seen make it appear as if there's small but sufficient amount of space available under the hood to create a "frunk."

Living in a city cars are targets of break-ins and leaving my rear cargo space exposed in my current wagon is a conspicuous way of stating "I've got nothing to steal."

It would certainly be nice to have a small amount of usable space I could partition off — much like the guy did with a custom, removable plywood divider in the "25% more trunk space" video — where I could store my smallish laptop bag.

But, even if the space is available, is there a heat concern up here that would foil that plan? Anything else that would make it unworkable?
Click to expand...
I agree with TandM that there is a ton of usable space under the cargo floor, depending on what you choose to keep and what you choose to remove. I suspect, though, that more thought has gone into that space than meets the eye at first glance. The cutouts that are precisely placed to enable storing the cargo cover under the cargo floor, for example. Extreme case, you could remove everything except the mobility kit, and build a big box, an extension of the 25% video concept, and put your kit under the floor, out of sight, just as you could in a frunk.

Everyone has their own criteria and priorities, but for me the Kia Niro EV eclipses all its closest competitors - Chevy Bolt, Hyundai Kona and Nissan Leaf+,in every category that is important to me. If you could get a Tesla Model Y with autopilot for under $44K, that might be interesting, but that is a unicorn for now. Moreover, the Niro and Kona still qualify for the federal tax credit, and in some cases state tax rebates as well, whereas Chevy and Tesla no longer do. Good luck with your search, but if you want a Niro, you might want to get on with it, because there are a limited number of them available...
 
MartyDow said:
Everyone has their own criteria and priorities, but for me the Kia Niro EV eclipses all its closest competitors - Chevy Bolt, Hyundai Kona and Nissan Leaf+,in every category that is important to me. If you could get a Tesla Model Y with autopilot for under $44K, that might be interesting, but that is a unicorn for now. Moreover, the Niro and Kona still qualify for the federal tax credit, and in some cases state tax rebates as well, whereas Chevy and Tesla no longer do. Good luck with your search, but if you want a Niro, you might want to get on with it, because there are a limited number of them available...
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It's already hard to find the one with the options I want and the pragmatic part of me is saying to wait to see what 2020 brings. EVs are only getting better and less expensive. With the Niro, Kia has set the bar that VW and Ford are going to have to match or beat when they finally set foot in the ring.
 
Gotcha. All I can say is that I drive mine nearly every day, and am loving it. If you are willing to wait, no doubt other alternatives will emerge over time...
 
Nato said:
It's already hard to find the one with the options I want and the pragmatic part of me is saying to wait to see what 2020 brings. EVs are only getting better and less expensive. With the Niro, Kia has set the bar that VW and Ford are going to have to match or beat when they finally set foot in the ring.
Click to expand...
I was where you are but did decide to pull the trigger. If I waited till it was an obvious absolute right time to buy an EV, well, I’d probably be a lot older than I am now as my ICE vehicle is a 2014, paid for, bought used originally to not pay that “new car” premium, and gets 30 mpg. So on a purely mathematical/lowest cost assessment it won’t trade. I got the only Niro EV Premium in the entire Houston metroplex so I can attest that they are hard to find. But like another commenter said, I’m absolutely loving driving it every single day to work and racking up all those intangible benifits.
 
Nato said:
Another pre-purchase question:

Some of the videos and photos I've seen make it appear as if there's small but sufficient amount of space available under the hood to create a "frunk."

Living in a city cars are targets of break-ins and leaving my rear cargo space exposed in my current wagon is a conspicuous way of stating "I've got nothing to steal."

It would certainly be nice to have a small amount of usable space I could partition off — much like the guy did with a custom, removable plywood divider in the "25% more trunk space" video — where I could store my smallish laptop bag.

But, even if the space is available, is there a heat concern up here that would foil that plan? Anything else that would make it unworkable?
Click to expand...

Check it out
 
After viewing the video, I went and checked under the hood of my Niro; it looks more or less the same, which suggests a similar mod would work. My previous car was a Subaru Outback; one of the many features I liked was that the hood (bonnet, if any Brits are following) had dampers, similar to the hatch (boot), that held it up without the need to lift it and position the keeper to hold it. If you have never had the pleasure of attempting to do this whilst sitting in a wheelchair, take it from me, it's virtually impossible. Any chance there is some mod or retrofit to add similar dampers? Just curious. I wouldn't be able to take full advantage of the frunk if I can't solve this problem first...
 
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