Electric SUVs are now flooding TV commercials and dealership lots. As American automakers electrify their lines, they begin with the vehicles Americans purchase the most. That implies an abundance of compact and midsize SUVs. With the release of all 2023 model-year automobiles, you may be interested in a handful of the most recent EVs on the market. The 2023 Kia Niro EV is especially stunning, with a total revamp of its hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and electric fleets. Another major candidate on your list may be the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4, which is already wowing industry critics. So, how can you determine which electric vehicle is ideal for you? The specs and ratings are pretty identical, which makes it easier to compare them. Here's a comparison to help you decide what to buy: 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 and 2023 Kia Niro EV
2023 Kia Niro EV
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A long list of basic infotainment and active safety features | Short driving range in the base model |
| Attractive starting price for the class | Overreliance on touch controls |
| Composed ride and handling | |
| The large maximum cargo hold |
The 2023 Kia Niro is one of the most adaptable vehicles on the market. Kia offers it in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric vehicle (EV) configurations. It combines the benefits of a hatchback and an SUV, offering a fun-to-drive personality and a large load compartment in a vehicle compact enough to parallel park comfortably in a tight space. It was formerly a forgettable-looking vehicle, but a makeover that included the possibility of a striking two-tone paint scheme made it stand out. It won't blow your mind when driving it, but it starts quickly and is simple to use daily. Despite its diminutive size, there is enough luggage space if the back seats are folded down. The interior is similarly decked out in expensive, albeit eccentric, materials. Other electric SUVs, however, have far greater driving ranges than the Niro EV, and this Kia has some faults with infotainment and interior controls. Furthermore, storage space behind the rear seats needs to be improved. Prices begin at $39,550.
Main Features
Fantastic Build: It's amazing how a simple adjustment in appearance can transform someone. The Niro was once an automobile that might be described as "eh, a car." It looks very good now. What is the distinction? The redesigned Niro has increased air vents at the C-pillars known as "aero blades." They technically operate as air vents, reducing wind noise. They also look nice, especially when painted a different color than the rest of the bodywork. If you wish, you may have the Niro painted a solid color of your choice.
Upscale Interior: Designers are gravitating toward sleek, minimalist designs for their EVs, but Kia's team has excelled themselves. The interior of the Niro is stunning, with a dual-screen display enclosed in a single bezel to seem like one large, curved screen. Metal pedals are available to provide a stylish touch.
Best Warranty in the Market: Kia offers the industry's longest warranty, i.e., a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This ensures financial certainty for a longer period than other manufacturers, including Volkswagen.
2023 Volkswagen ID.4
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Impressive powertrain, once up to speed | Distracting cabin controls |
| Quality interior materials | Mediocre driving range |
| Large cargo hold | |
| Roomy seating |
The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4, first electric vehicle of VW's is also a compact-to-midsize electric SUV. It has two rows of wide seats, a large cargo area, a comprehensive list of amenities, and excellent crash test ratings. It's also fast to accelerate and drives well. However, a lack of tactile buttons and an unintuitive infotainment system make interior controls tough, and this EV's range and efficiency are only adequate when compared to more competent competitors. It has great safety ratings, and while its base price appears to be similar to that of the Kia, it qualifies many customers for tax breaks that the Niro does not. It can travel up to 275 miles on a single battery. The starting price is $38,995.
Main Features
Tax Leverage: The starting prices of these two vehicles differ by only $555. However, for many consumers, the functional difference is far greater. A government program in the United States offers customers (subject to income restrictions) a tax credit of up to $7,500 on the purchase of certain EVs but not others, depending on where they're made and where specific parts are sourced. The ID.4 is acceptable. The Niro EV does not have this feature. As a result, for many purchasers, the VW is more than $8,000 cheaper.
Clever identification: We're suckers for cute lighting systems. The ID.4 boasts one of the most adorable technologies found in any 2023 vehicle. It's a tiny strip of LEDs set high on the dashboard, out of the driver's line of sight. It pulses from side to side to provide turn-by-turn directions, displays the battery's charge level, and even glows in front of the driver or passenger when they provide a spoken command (to indicate who it's listening to). ID.4 drivers prefer a discreet interface with a little individuality in an age where screens sometimes demand too much attention.
Greater Cargo Room: Because electric vehicles do not have a transmission tunnel, they have a greater cargo area than gasoline-powered ones. When the seats are folded, these two offer equal space, but the ID.4 has larger cargo space when all seats are in place—30.3 cubic feet vs. the Niro’s 22.8. If you frequently take road trips with rear-seat guests, it may be worth a test drive.
Similarities
The 2023 Kia Niro EV and 2023 VW ID.4 are comparable in size, price (if you don't qualify for the tax credit), and range; therefore, charging is roughly the same between the two. Surprisingly, they have the same horsepower as their base versions.
Verdict
Either of them would be an excellent way to make the switch to EV ownership. The 2023 Kia Niro is elegant on the inside and out and comes with the finest guarantee in the market. It's a good jack-of-all-trades vehicle with a splash of style thanks to its new look. The Volkswagen ID.4 has a more basic exterior but personality on the inside, and it may be significantly cheaper if your salary qualifies you for federal EV tax incentives.
