Used Kia e-Niro 2019-2022 reliability review

What should I look for in a used Kia Niro?

What are the most common problems with a used Kia Niro?

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

Although the regular petrol-powered Kia Niro has been appraised for safety by Euro NCAP, this electric version hasn’t been put through the test.

You get a reasonable number of active safety aids to help you avoid an accident in the first place, though, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. If you want blind spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic alert (the latter warns you about approaching cars when you’re backing out onto a road), you’ll need to upgrade to '4+' trim.

As for security, you get an alarm, deadlocks and locking wheel nuts as standard from new.

Is a used Kia Niro reliable?

The Kia e-Niro is a generally reliable car. In our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, it and the Niro EV collectively came fifth out of 25 cars in the electric car class. Their reliability score of 94.4% makes them more reliable than the larger Kia EV6, as well as the rival Tesla Model 3 and VW ID 3. The Cupra Born and Nissan Leaf are even more reliable buys, though.

Bodywork and electrical systems caused the most grief for the 15% of owners who told us their cars had gone wrong. There were also a small percentage of issues with the 12-volt battery, brakes and charging system. Although Kia covered the cost of 94% of repairs, 6% of owners had to pay between £751 and £1000 to get their cars fixed. Half of the cars reported on were out of action for more than a week.

As a car brand, Kia performed well, placing 11th out of 31 manufacturers. Its overall reliability score of 93.4% makes it a more reliable brand than Ford and Vauxhall, but less reliable than Honda and Lexus.

Just like all Kias, the e-Niro comes with a class-leading and transferable seven-year warranty from new as standard (limited to 100,000 miles).

Used Kia e-Niro: owners' reliability data

The Niro EV and its e-Niro predecessor have been commended for their exceptional reliability, with very few reports of mechanical issues. Owners highlighted their vehicle's robustness, particularly praising its electric battery and motor for their trouble-free operation.

However, a small number of comments mentioned minor electrical glitches, such as issues with the infotainment system. The response from Kia's dealer network to any problems has been overwhelmingly positive, with quick and efficient resolutions often noted. Dealers were recognized for their excellent communication and for providing comprehensive support, ensuring minimal inconvenience. Furthermore, the warranty coverage was a frequent point of praise, offering owners peace of mind.