Nato
New Member
I test drove a Niro EV and an impressed, but on the fence.
Currently driving a 2013 Audi Allroad and looking for something with similar capability and features for mainly city / commute. I'm willing to give up the AWD.
1. Headlights: Anybody have experience with both the Halogen and LED headlights? I'm finished owning bad headlights. HID / Xenon lights have me spoiled. I haven't driven the Niro at night. How do the stock Halogens compare to the optional LEDs?
2. Niros with LEDs are in short supply. If I pick up some Kia LED headlamp units and retrofit them (actual OE headlamps, not LED bulb swaps), are they plug-n-play, or is reprogramming of the computer required? I see a product out there called Kia-Coder. Looks similar to Vag Com / VCDS programming I do on the Audi and VW. Anybody using this?
3. Similar question for rain sensing windshield wipers. I'm assuming I can purchase the required module and new stalk with the required switches, but I presume I'd need to program it? Can't figure out why Kia is offering this very useful feature on other Niro models, but not on the EV in the US.
4. Can anybody comment on (or point to a video demonstrating) Android Auto integration? On my test drive, I specifically tried to test this but had trouble pairing my phone so gave up. Mainly, does Android Auto get in the way of other things you want to use / see on the Niro? Specifically battery management type displays? Can you play an MP3 file from your phone (or audio from a website that's loaded on your phone) while the phone is USB connected to the car? (I can't in my Ford Flex -- I have to unplug the phone, which means I lose Google nav.)
5. It appears the Hyundai Kona has an SD card slot. Does the Niro? Can the Niro play audio files from a USB stick?
6. Lastly, what's the cost of the UVO subscription? Does UVO live-update map data? Do any of you find UVO useful for anything other than reporting to the cell phone app (assuming you use Car Play or Android Auto)?
I'm not in a pinch to make the purchase right now, but the rebates and deductions are there and the car is available. The pragmatic side of me is thinking I should wait another year and see what 2020 brings, including a car with some of the features I'd like (dimming side mirrors, auto liftgate, 360 camera) near this price point.
Currently driving a 2013 Audi Allroad and looking for something with similar capability and features for mainly city / commute. I'm willing to give up the AWD.
1. Headlights: Anybody have experience with both the Halogen and LED headlights? I'm finished owning bad headlights. HID / Xenon lights have me spoiled. I haven't driven the Niro at night. How do the stock Halogens compare to the optional LEDs?
2. Niros with LEDs are in short supply. If I pick up some Kia LED headlamp units and retrofit them (actual OE headlamps, not LED bulb swaps), are they plug-n-play, or is reprogramming of the computer required? I see a product out there called Kia-Coder. Looks similar to Vag Com / VCDS programming I do on the Audi and VW. Anybody using this?
3. Similar question for rain sensing windshield wipers. I'm assuming I can purchase the required module and new stalk with the required switches, but I presume I'd need to program it? Can't figure out why Kia is offering this very useful feature on other Niro models, but not on the EV in the US.
4. Can anybody comment on (or point to a video demonstrating) Android Auto integration? On my test drive, I specifically tried to test this but had trouble pairing my phone so gave up. Mainly, does Android Auto get in the way of other things you want to use / see on the Niro? Specifically battery management type displays? Can you play an MP3 file from your phone (or audio from a website that's loaded on your phone) while the phone is USB connected to the car? (I can't in my Ford Flex -- I have to unplug the phone, which means I lose Google nav.)
5. It appears the Hyundai Kona has an SD card slot. Does the Niro? Can the Niro play audio files from a USB stick?
6. Lastly, what's the cost of the UVO subscription? Does UVO live-update map data? Do any of you find UVO useful for anything other than reporting to the cell phone app (assuming you use Car Play or Android Auto)?
I'm not in a pinch to make the purchase right now, but the rebates and deductions are there and the car is available. The pragmatic side of me is thinking I should wait another year and see what 2020 brings, including a car with some of the features I'd like (dimming side mirrors, auto liftgate, 360 camera) near this price point.