KIA Niro electric lease deals

Leasing a Kia Niro EV in the UK

You are hard pressed to find a better small SUV / crossover in the UK than the Kia Niro. Since 2016, this South Korean brand have been impressing our UK customers with some of the leading hybrid, PHEV and pure electric product to lease or buy. Indeed, their 2018 “e-Niro” represented a true watershed moment for the e-car team, with the introduction of one of the best-selling electric vehicles in the UK.

Indeed, in 2021 the e-Niro was the 2nd best-selling EV after the Tesla Model 3 with an incredible 12,271 registrations! And the brand is anything other than lethargic with the 2018 e-Niro now being replaced by an upgraded 2022 model which has been rebranded to the “Niro EV”. We expect this was a result of stiff competition from the Vauxhall Mokka-e, Peugeot e-2008 and Hyundai Kona EV.

But what has changed with this EV crossover? As part of product simplification, Kia have changed the format to just one battery size and are going to market with more limited specification choices, some of which can be accounted for by parts and microchips shortages in the post-COVID world. The previous model utilised the following configurations:

• 39 kWh 100 kW – the base model offered 134hp of power which resulted in 0 -62mph times of 9.8 seconds and 96mph top speeds. The 39-kilowatt hour battery could deliver around 120 miles (combined) of driving in winter with around 165 miles (combined) in summer on a full charge. Charging times on the old e-Niro were between 6 and 7 hours on the 7.2 kW AC max for 0 – 100% with the 50 kW DC max allowing 10 – 80% rapid charging times of 43 minutes; and

• 64 kWh 150 kW – the upgraded model offered 201hp of power which resulted in 0 - 62mph times of 7.8 seconds and 104mph top speeds. The 64-kilowatt hour battery could deliver around 195 miles (combined) of driving in winter with around 265 miles (combined) in summer on a full charge. Charging times on the old e-Niro were between 10 and 11 hours on the 7.2 kW AC max for 0 – 100% with the 77 kW DC max allowing 10 – 80% rapid charging times of 44 minutes.

So what has changed with the 2022 / 2023 Niro EV? There will only be one battery option as per below:

• 64 kWh 150 kW – much like the predecessor, this option will offer 201hp of power for 0 - 62mph times of 7.8 seconds and 104mph top speeds. The 64-kilowatt hour battery will deliver 200 miles (combined) of driving in winter with around 270 miles (combined) in summer on a full charge. Charging times have been massively improved, with the 11 kW AC max now enabling 7 hour 0 – 100% times and the 80 kW DC max providing 40-minute rapid charging times for 10 – 80%.

And in terms of specifications, Kia are continuing their rudimentary numeric system for UK customers on their new crossover BEV:

• 2 – at £35,000 the base option will offer 16” alloys, solar glass, manual folding mirrors, body coloured exterior, front and rear silver skid plates, stop/start and smart entry, 10.25” cluster, 8” touchscreen, forward collision, Apple CarPlay, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera;       
• 3 – at £37,750 the middle option will offer 17” alloys, privacy glass, electrically folding mirrors, rain sensing wipers, heated steering wheel, cloth and vegan upholstery, heated front seats, power adjusted seats, vehicle-2-vehicle device, heat pump (additional cost), 10.25” touchscreen, front parking sensors, wireless phone charger, BCA and highway driving assist level 1; and  
• 4 – at £40,500 the top of the line option will offer a sunroof, vegan leather, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, passenger relaxation seat, memory driver’s seat, deluxe scruff plates, LED interior lights, smart tailgate, HUD, Harman Kardan sound system, forward collision avoidance, parking collision avoidance, remote smart parking and  highway driving assist level 2.

Please note that the heat pump can only be added to the 3 or 4 model. In adding this, customers benefit from a system where excess heat from the battery can be transferred to the cabin or, where necessary, move heat to the cabin. This is all about maintaining ambient battery temperatures.

The pioneering Niro EV, which is available to order from April 2022, is looking to build on the exceptional success of its first model. With sharper external styling, charging improvements and a more technologically impressive interior, the e-car lease team can see this being a UK number one selling EV. Not to add, the V2D functionality now allowing you to power appliances and other vehicles, which truly demonstrates a clear understanding of what electric cars need to be capable of.

The contract hire market will almost certainly be the key financial product for the new Niro, with most personal, business and salary sacrifice schemes using this to fund their electrification transition. But why? Unlike purchase style products like hire purchase, lease purchase or even PCP, the great aspect of contract hire, or leasing as it is commonly known, is that there are no ownership or depreciation concerns. You simply use the car for 2, 3 or 4 years on a contract based on your actual requirements in terms of mileage and initial rental.

Even no deposit options can be selected. The robust maintenance programmes our select finance companies offer provide complete piece of mind, with all servicing, maintenance and tyres (plus breakdown recovery) being included for a fixed monthly cost. With contract hire, you can achieve complete cost certainty, with only your fuel and insurance to organise.

Ready to lease the new Kia Niro EV?  Getting a new Kia from the UK’s leading electric experts couldn’t be any easier. Simply select the required specification (2, 3 or 4) and add any additional manufacturer options which create the perfect solution. You, or the fleet manager, can use an instant quote calculator to build a contract that suits your needs and requirements.

And if you need help with a domestic or workplace charge point, let us know at enquiry stage and we can introduce you to companies who deliver these solutions. Should you need more assistance, call our expert team on 01942 910 001 or email us at [email protected]