carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $38,422–$45,878 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2022 Kia Niro EV at 7.9/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this ev. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.6/10, while Performance at 6.6/10 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 8.1/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 8.6/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance at 6.6/10 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. The cabin tech earns 8.0/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $38,422–$45,878, 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 — 8.2/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 4 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2022 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 2022 Kia Niro EV ranks #52 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 81% of the segment. Its 7.9/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $38,422 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 27%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2019 Kia Niro EV scores 7.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2022's 7.9 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| 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 (this review) | 7.9/10 | $38,422 | |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $37,196 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $35,970 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.7/10 | $34,743 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / Propulsion system / Shock protection 21/05/2024 · 24V358000 | Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Niro EV vehicles. The high voltage battery safety plug may overheat and melt, which can cause a loss of drive power or fire. |
|---|---|
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 20/06/2025 · 25V426000 | Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Niro EV vehicles. The circuit board for the rearview camera may become damaged and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.