Our test e-Niro is a Korean-spec model driven on Korean roads, but while the odd bit of trim and optional extra may differ, this is the drivetrain and chassis we’ll be getting.
Some drivetrain it is too. My, the e-Niro is brisk. It feels far quicker than its 0-62mph time of 7.8sec suggests, and even more impressive is the way it responds at higher speeds. Look for a bit of extra poke to make a pass on the motorway, and it’s all there before your right foot has barely touched the pedal. We even managed to spin the wheels accelerating out of a 30mph zone into a main A-road.
As such, the e-Niro is likely to have appeal to any enthusiast, but anyone swapping into one from their Ceed diesel is likely to be unprepared for such real-world pace and drivability. A test drive is essential, as such power – or rather torque in the case of the e-Niro – could catch many unaware.
The e-Niro isn’t uncomfortable in the way it rides, yet neither does it isolate its occupants from bumps in the road; the chassis does not display any great sophistication in how it handles the road, or indeed that level of torque, a bit like a black cab. That’s most likely down to the weight; much of the chassis tuning feels geared towards masking that weight as much as possible. A bit like a black cab…
Our test route wasn’t one for the e-Niro to reveal itself as a driver’s car. Yet it did demonstrate competent if not inspiring handling. There’s a pleasing heft to the steering, even more so in Sport mode, where the urgency of the drivetrain is increased further.
Something else that can be tweaked is the level of regenerative braking through four different levels via some paddle-shifters on the gearlever, as with the Kona Electric. The system seems to default to an auto mode for the most time even if you try to set it to the level you’d like, meaning it’s not quite as pleasing a feature as it should be.
The range figure seemed a true one too. Our test route wasn’t the longest, but the battery life and range indicator dropped in line with the distance covered, and the starting range of 272 miles on an almost full charge was indicative of the claimed figure of just over 300 miles. At least 250 miles per charge should be expected, based on this test.
Elsewhere, it’s the Niro we’ve become accustomed to with the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, with a spacious cabin, a solid if a little uninspiring interior, and a design that’s only marginally changed over the other Niros, most noticeably with a closed-up front grille.
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Peter Cavellini
Let’s have some tests then!
All very well telling us about how good these Cars are with there 300 mile plus ranges, but, do they actually do them?, how about Autocar doing a three Car test with the leading makers...?
bnevdriver
Peter Cavellini wrote:
I have an Ioniq full EV and I have never had less than 154 out of it, Hyundia say the max should be 174. Once you have driven an EV there is no going back
FMS
Peter Cavellini wrote:
There will be road tests carried out...when the importer is given the cars to offer via their press office...don't you know ANYthing?.
Thekrankis
£30k !
EV's are for rich people who will probably buy them as a second car to commute around London.....
Sonic
Thekrankis wrote:
No use in complaining about the cost of EV's when it's painfully obvious they'll be just as (if not more) affordable than ICE cars in less than 5 years. If there was no tomorrow, then yes... You could buy a used DB9 for the same price today.
Good write-up though. I hope they sell.
scrap
Thekrankis wrote:
Well done, you’ve worked out that new technology tends to be expensive and initially appeals to a small group of early adopters, before going mainstream...
xxxx
Thekrankis wrote:
Find me a high spec family sized Automatic SUV with a 0-60 of 7.8 seconds that can do around the equivant of 150mpg+ for much less than £30k then
bnevdriver
Thekrankis wrote:
i am a retired nurse so far from rich, yet it was less to lease than the payments would have been to buy a small ICE car. No road tax, lower insurance, tiny service costs and in July I spent a total of £7.16 on charging. No charge for the pleasure and fun they give to drive
The Apprentice
Sounds like the power train
Sounds like the power train could easily cope with a more desirable Sportage or Tucson application, perhaps with a slight lift in battery capacity as well.
A 75kwh Battery Tucson with a rear motor for 4wd and at least 450 litre boot for around 35K would do nicely please.
Marv
Will this powertrain be installed in the Ioniq
I think the Ioniq EV could do with a boost in performance and range. I saw a headline claiming facelifted versions had been spotted testing in the US. Let's up the facelift includes a power and range increase. My wife is looking to replace her Santa Fe with an Ioniq (now that we no longer tow our caravan). The increased range would set her fears at rest.
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