Anyone got a 2020-2021 Niro EV? What do you think?

Hi everyone, I’ve found some great prices on used 2020-2021 Niro EVs. I was initially looking at used Bolts, but the Niro seems to be a better deal overall. Do any of you have experience with these years? Are there any common issues I should be aware of? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Used Niro EVs from those years are great deals. The common issues are the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ noise and coolant level problems, which pop up fairly often.

I’m not sure about the prices, but the Niro generally offers better mileage than the Bolt, and the ride quality is way more comfortable, especially the seats.

Dara said:
I’m not sure about the prices, but the Niro generally offers better mileage than the Bolt, and the ride quality is way more comfortable, especially the seats.

I’ve seen 2020 models with around 28k miles priced between $15k and $16k.

@West
I sold my 2019 Niro recently.

Dara said:
I’m not sure about the prices, but the Niro generally offers better mileage than the Bolt, and the ride quality is way more comfortable, especially the seats.

I thought the Bolt had more range. I went with the Niro because of its DC fast charging capability. The Bolt only charges up to 45kW, while the Niro goes up to 75kW. So, the Niro charges much faster and is more efficient for long trips.

@Gael
I agree. In warmer weather, I was often getting about 300 miles on a full charge with my Niro.

Dara said:
@Gael
I agree. In warmer weather, I was often getting about 300 miles on a full charge with my Niro.

I’m getting about 300 miles in the city and 240 on the highway. We’ve had ours for six months and bought it used with the federal $4k tax credit.

@Zephyr
I loved my Niro, but I had some trouble with the local Kia dealer service. No one else here works on EVs, so that was a bit of a hassle.

I bought a used 2020 last year. I had the coolant recall done for free, but I never had any issues with it. It’s got 35k miles, and the battery health is still at 99.7%. I really enjoy it—it’s quiet and smooth, perfect for daily driving.

@Kai
How can I check the battery health?

Abi said:
@Kai
How can I check the battery health?

Here’s a link that shows the battery health check: https://placehold.co/600x400.png

  • I have a 2019 Niro EV with 72k miles. It’s a great first EV. It’s a nice mix of physical buttons and digital displays. The transition from a gas car to an EV felt natural.

  • The 2020 model has a louder backup sound compared to the 2019 and 2021 models. Just be aware, as it can be pretty noticeable when reversing. Check it out when you test drive.

  • Adaptive Cruise Control is standard on the Niro EV, which is a nice feature for highway driving. The Bolt doesn’t come with this standard.

  • The seats are comfortable and durable. I’d recommend getting the Premium model for heated seats and power-adjustable ones. These were some of the most useful features for me.

  • If the Gear Reduction Unit gets replaced, the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ noise usually doesn’t happen. The 2020-2021 models have an updated GRU, so they have fewer issues.

  • The 12V battery might need replacing, or you could just carry a jumper pack. I’ve used one from Antigravity, which works well.

  • I’ve camped in my car using Utility Mode to keep the climate on. It’s a bit tight with a mattress, but it works, and I’ve used it during storms to stay warm.

  • The 2020-2022 models have more reflective piano black trim. Some matte tape can reduce the glare.

  • The built-in nav is a bit underwhelming. I mostly used Google Maps through Android Auto.

  • The stock tires can slip in wet conditions. I replaced mine with Hankook Kinergy 4S2 All-Weather tires, and they’ve been great in all weather conditions without losing efficiency. I recommend swapping out the stock tires if you haven’t already.

  • I’ve done a 1,200-mile road trip with the Niro EV. It handled the journey well.

  • The Niro EV allows you to adjust the regenerative braking and driving modes. You can experiment to find the most comfortable setting for your driving style.

  • Overall, the Niro EV is a fantastic car for the price. It offers a fun ride and great features for the cost.

I’ve had my 2020 Niro for about 5 months. It hasn’t even reached 20k miles yet, and we really enjoy it. No major issues so far.

We had the same thought about getting one and ended up buying a 2021 model two weeks ago. We’re loving it so far! Hopefully, we won’t run into any of the common problems, but it seems like those are pretty rare overall.

Thanks everyone for your input! Glad to hear you’re all enjoying your Niro EVs!

I love mine! I’m in the northeast USA, and I picked up a 2021 CPO with 14k miles for $20,500 after the $4k tax credit. One thing I noticed is that finding a dealer who will do the tax credit isn’t easy.

My only complaint is the loud dinging sounds, but you can easily unplug the backup noise by removing the bumper. Overall, I think it’s a better deal than the Kona Electric. If you’re in a cold climate, definitely get the cold weather package. I used the Kia website to find CPO models nationwide, and I’d say CPO is worth it for the extended warranty.

I’ve got a 2021 EX Premium with 42k miles. It’s really a great ride, I love it. I replaced the tires around 40k miles and topped up the AC a little before that. I did have a problem with mice chewing on my electrical harness under the hood, but my insurance covered it. That’s not something that happens often though.

I’ve got a 2020 Niro with 78k miles. No issues so far. I’ve had to replace a few sets of tires, four 12V batteries, and rear brake pads, but the car still feels like new.

I got a 2021 Niro EX Premium that was previously leased. It’s an amazing car .