Anyone drive an electric Kia or Hyundai?

[ShortiePants]

...specifically, a Kia Niro or a Hyundai Kona?

DH's old diesel estate (skoda fabia) is packing up and we're keen to replace it with a (fully) electric car. Hopefully newish 2nd hand.

I am fairly little, and nervous of driving anything too large or with rubbish rear visibility (though I think these have cameras) We do however need something big enough to carry a couple of bikes, or occasionally, 5 adults (though we are all quite small in this family, biggest person is 5'11", so compact adults :)

These cars looked like they might fit the bill. Any fellow shorties driven one? Does anyone regularly carry either of these "payloads" with either of these vehicles? Are they too small? What are they like otherwise? All experiences welcomed, or suggestions of (smaller!) alternatives.

TIA

I know someone very well who drives a Niro and loves it. Have you got any specific questions that haven't yet been answered in the course of the thread? I'm seeing her at the weekend, I can ask.

It's on a lease and about 2-3 years old now, so you might be looking at the new model of Niro? (Prob not though if you are going for 2nd hand though but I am not sure when newest version came out?)

Hi @BenjiBungee thank you- we actually test drove one today, and a kona - liked them both - perhaps small preference for the kona as i found the back seats more comfy and i do get relegated to the back sometime s!. Also seemed a bit more straightforward to adjust things as less was done for you by the in-car brain!

I did wonder how easy the niro would be to park in small spaces as its a bit longer than I'm used to - but it was lovely and spacious inside so swings and roundabouts I guess!

Be interested to know its range in either very hot or very cold weather vs advertised, as I understand aircon and heating will both drain the battery.

I reckon either would be a great choice though, I m quite excited!

We took our Niro to France last summer in very high temps and didn't notice much impact on the range. It's more of an issue in cold weather I think as the battery works less efficiently (mind you, I have a 2018 Leaf and am constantly jealous of the range on DH's Niro!)

I looked at a Niro but went with an mg zs ev because of boot space, pick it up on Thursday!

Why do you want to buy an EV?

If it's for environmental reasons, please DON'T do it. Electric vehicles cause massive damage to the planet and cause vastly more pollution than a traditional ICE vehicle.

Range wise, it depends on electrical load, a good benchmark is to subtract 30% from the officially quoted figures. This gives a pretty reliable real world distance.

Kia's have a good battery warranty, 7 years or 100k miles, but they aren't screwed together very well.

Looks like we are getting a Kona as we can have a smaller car then add to the space with a roof box a couple of times a year when we need it. Works out cheaper.

Buying second hand - if buying new would have gone for a cobalt free battery (eg in the MG4)that has lower impact than the current kinds.

Hi @aw2024 - we got the Kona (a year ago, just after I made this thread) - we got an excellent deal on a low-milage 2nd hand one.

Bike rack on the back works fine for two bikes (we took them to France last summer) and roofbox when we take the rest of the family (3 more adults) away for more than a night or so.

So although we kind of miss the bigger boot we have managed fine without it and I have to say I love driving it and the range is a lot further (like 2x) than I can go between wee and tea breaks on a long drive!