6 Benefits the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Has Over the 2023 Kia Niro EV
Kia made some strategic modifications to the Niro for the 2023 mannequin 12 months affecting the hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and its all-electric variations of the SUV. Whereas it locations the automobile in a extra aggressive stance out there, the Niro doesn’t fairly have sufficient to beat out its rivals, just like the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. In reality, there are six areas the place the Volkswagen outshines the Kia. Let’s have a look at what these areas are.
1. Volkswagen has drivetrain selections for the 2023 ID.4
Kia’s Niro EV has a single everlasting magnet synchronous motor that powers the automobile’s entrance wheels. It doesn’t provide all-wheel or rear-wheel drive. The Volkswagen ID.4 mannequin comes customary with RWD, however you’ll be able to go for an all-wheel drivetrain, which is able to add a second motor to ship energy by the entrance wheels.
Volkswagen experiences that the added motor will assist the SUV provide extra traction while you want it. It’s additionally vital to notice that Volkswagen’s AWD doesn’t hyperlink the 2 axles collectively as different all-wheel drivetrains do. The motors will energy the wheels by a differential and a single-speed gearbox.
2. The 2023 ID.4 has extra torque than the Kia Niro EV
With Kia’s single motor setup, you get a complete output of 201 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque, which permits the automobile to go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds for the Wind and Wave trims. On the ID.4, the usual mannequin runs on a single motor, so that you get 201 hp, however the torque surpasses what the Niro EV gives with 229 lb-ft.
Nonetheless, for the reason that VW mannequin gives an non-obligatory dual-motor setup, the AWD model’s torque goes as much as 339 lb-ft. With this powertrain, you’ll get a complete of 295 hp. Plus, you’ll get an acceleration time of 5.7 seconds for a 0 to 60-mph run.
3. Extra driving vary
The Kia Niro EV gives a 64 kWh battery, which is able to get you an estimated 253 miles on a single cost or round 113 mpge. It takes roughly 2.5 days to cost the battery on a 120-volt charger. A DC quick charging setup will solely take about 40 minutes to go from 10-80%.
On the Volkswagen ID.4, you have got two battery choices. The bottom mannequin comes with a 62 kWh battery, and higher trims will provide an 82 kWh unit. With the rear-wheel drivetrain, it will get you an estimated 275 miles on a single cost. If you happen to select the all-wheel mannequin, count on a bit much less at 251-255 miles of distance. A stage 2 charger will juice up the battery in roughly 7.5 hours.
4. The 2023 VW ID.4 has a bigger cargo space
Within the cargo space, you get 22.8 cubic ft if the rear seats are within the ‘up’ place. If you happen to fold them down, it provides you 63.7 cubic ft of area to retailer your objects. That’s not dangerous for an electrical automobile of this dimension.
Nonetheless, the Volkswagen provides you fairly a bit extra. With the rear seats up, you’ll have 30.3 cubic ft to haul your objects. Folding them down will improve that space to 64.2 cubic ft of area.
5. The Niro EV can’t compete with floor clearance
Floor clearance is important should you’re trying to do some off-roading or driving in snowy areas. The Kia Niro EV isn’t the best choice for both of those conditions because it solely has 5.9 inches of area from the bottom to the underside of the SUV.
If you happen to have a look at the VW ID.4 mannequin, you’ll get nearly an inch extra floor clearance because it gives 6.7 inches. It received’t deal with rocky terrain nicely, but it surely would possibly assist in deep snow drifts.
6. Volkswagen gives extra towing capability
In terms of towing, the clear winner right here is the Volkswagen ID.4, which is able to permit you to haul as much as 2,700 lbs should you select an AWD model with the tow hitch added to the automobile. That’s sufficient for a light-weight trailer with some leisure goodies tied down.
With the Kia Niro EV, you get considerably much less towing functionality. It’s solely rated for a complete of 1,653 lbs of hauling capability, based on Kia’s web site.
Whereas there’s nothing inherently improper with selecting a Kia Niro EV in order for you it, we suggest the VW ID.4 since you would get extra floor clearance, towing capability, cargo space, driving vary, and torque than the Niro can provide. You’ll additionally get an AWD mannequin, which Kia doesn’t even provide on the 2023 Niro EV.
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