South Trail Kia
Posted on March 25, 2021
Drivers are choosing to purchase more hybrid and electric vehicles than ever before. For some, this is an entirely altruistic act to help the environment and for some it is born of a desire to save money at the gas pump. No matter the reasoning, electric vehicles are starting to make their mark on the vehicle market.
Two of the completely electric vehicles (EVs) available today are the Kia Niro and the Tesla S. While the Tesla gets all the attention, the Kia offers a lot of reasons (and several thousand dollars) for why it is the better EV choice.
The Kia Niro EV is an entirely electric crossover SUV that offers an all-electric range of 385 km. Its stylish design offers the capability to haul five adults in comfort, as well as up to 1,804 litres of cargo capacity. The reconfigurable interior adapts to whoever or whatever is along for the ride.
The top model of the Kia Niro EV is the SX Touring. Starting at $54,495, the Niro EV SX Touring features a power sunroof, heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, smart key with push button start, smartphone integration, UVO Intelligence, lane keeping assist system, and blind spot detection system.
The Tesla Model S is an entirely electric midsize sedan. The lowest-priced Tesla S is the Long Range model, which starts at $74,490 and features a dual motor all-wheel drive platform that allows for the longest range, which is 663 km.
The dual motor system also provides impressive power, including 670 horsepower and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.1 seconds. It features standard automated emergency braking and lane-departure warning, and it is available with adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode.
There is no comparison to the power that the Tesla Model S brings to the table. Its horsepower and acceleration speeds are unmatched by any other vehicle. It also offers all-wheel drive while the Kia Niro EV is only available with front-wheel drive.
However, that does not mean that the Kia Niro EV should be pushed to the side. In fact, there are several reasons why it is the better EV. First, it costs $20,000 less than the Tesla Model S. Second, for drivers that do not care about unnecessarily fast acceleration, the Kia Niro EV features plenty of acceleration for everyday driving. Third, the Niro EV weighs approximately 500 kg less than the Model S, allowing it to maneuver better and drivers to have better control of the vehicle.
The Kia Niro EV even offers a plusher and more intuitive cabin environment than the Tesla Model S. The Tesla's touchscreen controls all vehicle systems, but its positioning requires some drivers to lean forward and to the right to reach all the necessary controls.
Many drivers think that Tesla is the be-all-end-all of electric vehicles, but that is simply not true. The Kia Niro EV is a supremely sporty and efficient crossover EV that will make environmentally conscious drivers extremely happy and keep an extra $20,000 in their pockets.
Categories: New Vehicle, Kia Niro EV