Kia e-Niro

What’s the pitch?

Here’s the full-electric version of the Kia Niro. Its critical cost-to-range ratio: £32,995 after subsidy, and 282 miles on the WLTP cycle. Which is strong.

And its rivals?

There are none, really. Other family-sized long-range EVs are vastly more expensive. The e-Niro has the same powertrain as sister-make Hyundai’s Kona, but it’s bigger than that – rear room is perfectly decent and the boot 451 litres.

A slug?

Nope. Performance is handy, with a 0–62mph time that’ll match a brisk hatch, without the attention-seeking high-rev hijinks.

It’s heavier and faster than the hybrid Niro, so they did a fair bit of chassis tweaking. Steering is decently precise if numb, and cornering surprisingly game for a 1791kg crossover. It’s easy to break the front tyres’ traction out of a slow corner. It feels less hyperactively Tiggerish than the Kona Electric. But if you want a fun EV for sensible money, get a BMW i3s 120Ah and accept the 180-mile range. The ride is pretty firm and not a little bouncy. But at least the e-Niro gets better underbody soundproofing than the regular Niro and suffers less tragic road noise.

Fast charge?

When 100kW chargers come on stream, it’s less than 45mins to go from 20 to 80 per cent. And 80 per cent is 224 miles’ range.

Another fantasy range number?

The Kia tries to minimise the gap. A steeringwheel paddle is your ‘hand brake’ for regen. Hold it and up to 200bhp-odd – if the road is dry and you’re travelling above about 30mph – piles back into the battery. Use it to slow for a sharp bend or junction. And even in gentle stops, the brake pedal summons the wasteful discs only in hard stops. The cruise-control’s radar increases regeneration if you lift off when the car in front is also slowing down. Plus you get three levels of normal lift-off regen to choose from.

Sounds baffling...

It rewards skill to get the best range. That adds an interesting dimension to driving in a world where speed cameras and congestion frustrate performance cars.

Kia e-Niro £32,995 WE SAY: AN AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC CAR FOR THE MASSES