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The all-new 2023 Kia Niro EV we just tested is the value-priced portion the brand’s global effort to become a big-time competitor to Tesla Motors and the world other important electric-vehicle makers. The Kia EV6 is Kia’s flagship battery-electric offering, but the Niro EV deserves headlines as the “affordable” entrant in the market. Within a few years, Kia hopes that the majority of its sales will come from battery-electric vehicles.
The all-new 2023 Niro EV we tested is the second-generation Niro battery electric, part of a trio of brand-new Niros that also includes a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. Kia product planner Mark Savino told Host Jack Nerad Kia expects the Niro EV will grab about a quarter of the model’s total sales when production is normalized. Expected to be priced at less than $40,000, the Niro EV will be available in Kia dealers in all 50 states.
With its single 201-horsepower permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, the Niro offers 188 lb-ft of torque and a 113 MPGe fuel-economy equivalent. According to Kia, range of a full charge for the 2023 Niro EV is 253 miles. When connected to a DC fast charger, the Niro EV can take on an 80 percent charge in less than 45 minutes, excellent charging performance.
For those interested in more conventional performance, Co-Host Chris Teague tests the all-new 2023 Acura Integra this week. The name itself is a headline. In years past the Acura Integra was one of the brand’s most popular and evocative models. But it was discontinued as Acura pursued an alphabetic naming scheme for its vehicles. Now it is back, and it offers some of the best pieces from the Honda-Acura parts bin. Drawing heavily on the basics of the North American Car of the Year Honda Civic, it features the Civic Si’s turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which can be backed by a CVT (Boo) or a 6-speed manual transmission (Yay!) With 200 horsepower on tap, the new Integra promised to be an exciting platform to wind through the fall colors of New England in October. And Teague will tell us all about it.
Our interview guest this week is Jeep Vice President of Product Marketing Tavon Brooks. The occasion for the interview was the introduction and press drive of the new long-wheelbase Grand Wagoneer L and Wagoneerr L. It took place in and around Bozeman, Montana, right at the gates of Yellowstone.
In the news, car prices are leveling off, but new problems are on the horizon for car buyers, and we’ll detail them for you. And Hyundai has announced a big, bold plan to offer the public “software-defined vehicles.” We’ll tell you what that means and discuss how it could affect you in the future. Our guess is you might not like the idea.
All that and more coming up in this episode of “America on the Road.”
