The Least expensive Kia EV You Can Purchase In 2025 — And Is It Price It?

Electrical automobiles (EVs) proceed to be barely pricier than their equal inner combustion engine (ICE) counterparts—at the very least in North America, contemplating the shortage of Chinese language opponents. Exterior of Tesla, Ford, and GM, your different go-to model for mass-market EVs in North America can be Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), which encompasses the trio of South Korean manufacturers Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.

Base Trim Engine

EV

Base Trim Transmission

Computerized

Base Trim Drivetrain

Entrance-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

201.1 HP @6000 RPM

Base Trim Torque

187.8 lb.-ft.

Although this can be a South Korean automaker, Kia’s manufacturing and gross sales footprint in North America is immense. In consequence, it additionally has fairly a various vary of automobiles, whether or not it is a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or a pure EV. In fact, you clicked on this text, with the idea that you simply’re in search of the most cost effective Kia EV you should purchase in 2025. The query now could be, is Kia’s most reasonably priced EV price it, and here is why you in all probability forgot why this mannequin additionally exists.

The Niro EV Stands As Kia’s Least expensive EV, However There’s A Catch

It Begins At $39,600

Kia

The most affordable Kia EV you possibly can purchase at present is the Niro EV. Based mostly on the Niro that is additionally bought in hybrid and plug-in hybrid kinds, this subcompact crossover SUV serves as Kia’s most reasonably priced EV providing.

253 Miles, And Not That Highly effective

Kia

Now here is the place the Niro EV is already at a drawback—its vary. With a $39,600 price ticket, in addition to its platform derived from an ICE automotive, it solely has a vary of 253 miles at finest. That is considerably under the 303 miles that the brand new and much extra reasonably priced 2026 Nissan Leaf, with its $29,990 base value, affords, or the sensational 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV, with its $33,600 base value. No marvel individuals have almost forgotten its existence, as a result of solely for these metrics, the Niro EV is not compelling.

Moreover, whereas pace is not the primary objective of buying an on a regular basis EV, the Niro EV’s 201-horsepower output can be approach lower than what the 2 aforementioned reasonably priced EVs provide. The bottom front-wheel drive (FWD) Equinox EV affords 220 horsepower, whereas the FWD-only Leaf affords 214 horsepower. Numbers begin to matter within the pricing and worth context of issues, okay?

It is Smaller Than The Equinox EV

Kia

There is a purpose why we’re evaluating it towards the Equinox EV, and that is as a result of this providing from GM is already America’s best-selling EV that is not a Tesla. The Equinox EV’s $33,600 base value additionally would not come on the expense of dimension. In truth, the Equinox EV is in a bigger class than the Niro EV. The Leaf is in the identical dimension class because the Niro EV, however once more, with a beginning value of $29,990, there may be merely no contest in terms of the Leaf’s worth proposition.

Principally, is the Niro EV price it? Sadly, the easy reply is not any. There’s actually no different approach to put it. The one purpose you will need the Niro EV is due to its design, otherwise you simply need an reasonably priced EV from Kia. Aside from these two causes, you are higher off with both the Equinox EV or the Leaf. Oh, and did I point out that, for the value of a base Niro EV, you possibly can already get a range-topping Leaf Platinum+ for $38,990, and nonetheless have spare change for a flagship smartphone or a two-night staycation at a flowery resort? Or with the Equinox EV, you possibly can already get a strong 300-horsepower base all-wheel drive (AWD) for simply $37,295? Select correctly, guys.

2025 EV SUV Efficiency Spec Comparability

Perhaps Its Design Is Price Contemplating

Kia

So when it comes to capabilities and outright specs, the Kia Niro EV is not compelling. Then once more, as we talked about, you might just like the Kia Niro EV solely for its type.

Hanging Aero Blade Profile Provides To Its Restricted Enchantment

Kia

The most distinct design function of the Kia Niro EV is its aspect profile, little question primarily attributable to its placing Aero Blade motif. That is the rear fender panel behind the rear doorways, which may both be color-matched with the remainder of the physique or completed in a contrasting grey shade within the range-topping Wave. Regardless of the case, this design piece functionally improves aerodynamics by channeling air via its small opening positioned alongside the window line or the rear doorways.

Aero Blade apart, the remainder of the Niro EV’s design is just like the hybrid and plug-in hybrid variations. Aside from the badging and wheel selections, there isn’t any distinct design piece to let others know that you simply’re driving the EV model, however maybe that’s Kia’s intention with the Niro. No matter electrified drivetrain you select, you’ll instantly know from afar that the Niro is Kia’s entry level into electrified automobile possession. The bottom Niro Hybrid and Niro Plug-In Hybrid function the model’s least expensive hybrid and plug-in hybrids, respectively. Likewise, the Niro EV additionally fulfills the function of being Kia’s most reasonably priced EV.

Inside That is Behind The Instances

Kia

Sadly, in terms of the inside, that is the place I feel the Niro EV is already falling behind. Positive, the Niro’s inside is aggressive within the sub-$30,000 vary, however with the EV model already touching the $40,000 mark, different EVs at its value level have much more fashionable interiors. To make issues more difficult for the Niro EV, the inside really feel is not precisely as premium because the $40,000 EVs it is competing with, neither is it as technologically superior. For reference, a Leaf Platinum+ already will get you high quality options, together with, amongst many different issues:

• A Bose sound system
• A panoramic sunroof
• A powered tailgate
• Artificial leather-based upholstery

Maybe that is the drawback of the Niro EV being shipped from South Korea, thus bearing the complete brunt of the Trump administration’s tariffs. Fortunately, there may be one Kia EV that, whereas costlier than the bottom Niro EV, continues to be a extra compelling automobile to contemplate. Oh, and it is also made in America, too.

Take into account The EV6 Gentle RWD Fashions

Kia

Sure, the Kia Niro EV is perhaps the most cost effective of Kia’s bunch, however till September 30, earlier than the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit score ends, the EV6 Gentle variant might be cheaper than the Niro.

The Least expensive Kia EV Till September 30

Kia

How’s this for a plot twist? With a base value of $35,400 with the Federal Tax Credit score, the bottom EV6 Gentle RWD is a much more cutting-edge and technologically-advanced EV versus the Niro EV, and even the Equinox EV and the Leaf. Positive, as a result of that is the Normal Vary mannequin, it solely has 237 miles of vary, however there isn’t any doubt that the EV6 is a extra premium automobile than any of its rivals at its sub-$40,000 value level.

Need extra vary? The Gentle RWD Lengthy Vary nonetheless prices lower than a base Niro EV, since it’s priced at $38,700 after the Federal Tax Credit score. With that, you now have 319 miles of vary, and also you additionally get a far nicer EV than the Equinox EV and the Leaf. There is a purpose why the EV6 has gained a ton of awards and accolades, and that is as a result of it blends an unparalleled quantity of fashion, performance, and refined driving dynamics that, to a sure diploma, even places it almost on par with premium German rivals.

Being American-Made Makes It Resilient

William Clavey | TopSpeed

The important thing to the EV6’s compelling price ticket this time round is its manufacturing benefit. Whereas the EV6 was manufactured in South Korea, the facelifted EV6 is now manufactured at Hyundai Motor Group’s (HMG) Metaplant in Savannah, Georgia. Although the Federal Tax Credit score is ending on September 30, the EV6 might be resilient to Trump’s tariffs, particularly since lots of its components, together with the batteries, are additionally manufactured in america. With Kia’s massive retail and manufacturing footprint in america, Kia is in a robust place to stay resilient amidst the difficult financial and political occasions that the automotive trade is going through.

2025 Kia EV6 Gentle RWD Specs

*After $7,500 Federal Tax Credit score