carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $34,743–$43,421 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2019 Kia Niro EV at 7.7/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this ev. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Performance at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.8/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.2/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.8/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $34,743–$43,421, 113 MPG, seating 5, the Kia Niro EV sits in the mid-market bracket of the ev segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.1/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2019 Kia Niro EV is a solid, well-rounded ev that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2019 Kia Niro EV ranks #89 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 67% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $34,743 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 34%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking →
Across the Niro EV model years we've scored, the 2019 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.0/10 | $42,101 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $40,875 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $39,648 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.9/10 | $38,422 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $37,196 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $35,970 | Read review → |
| 2019 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $34,743 |
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.