The Cheapest Kia EV You Can Buy In 2025 — And Is It Worth It?

Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to be slightly pricier than their equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts—at least in North America, considering the lack of Chinese competitors. Outside of Tesla, Ford, and GM, your other go-to brand for mass-market EVs in North America would be Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), which encompasses the trio of South Korean brands Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.

Base Trim Engine

EV

Base Trim Transmission

Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

201.1 HP @6000 RPM

Base Trim Torque

187.8 lb.-ft.

Though this is a South Korean automaker, Kia’s manufacturing and sales footprint in North America is immense. As a result, it also has quite a diverse range of vehicles, whether it’s a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or a pure EV. Of course, you clicked on this article, with the assumption that you’re looking for the cheapest Kia EV you can buy in 2025. The question now is, is Kia’s most affordable EV worth it, and here’s why you probably forgot why this model also exists.

The Niro EV Stands As Kia’s Cheapest EV, But There’s A Catch

It Starts At $39,600

Kia

The cheapest Kia EV you could buy today is the Niro EV. Based on the Niro that’s also sold in hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms, this subcompact crossover SUV serves as Kia’s most affordable EV offering.

253 Miles, And Not That Powerful

Kia

Now here’s where the Niro EV is already at a disadvantage—its range. With a $39,600 price tag, as well as its platform derived from an ICE car, it only has a range of 253 miles at best. This is significantly below the 303 miles that the new and far more affordable 2026 Nissan Leaf, with its $29,990 base price, offers, or the sensational 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV, with its $33,600 base price. No wonder people have nearly forgotten its existence, because solely for these metrics, the Niro EV isn’t compelling.

Furthermore, while speed isn’t the main purpose of purchasing an everyday EV, the Niro EV’s 201-horsepower output is also way less than what the two aforementioned affordable EVs offer. The base front-wheel drive (FWD) Equinox EV offers 220 horsepower, while the FWD-only Leaf offers 214 horsepower. Numbers start to matter in the pricing and value context of things, okay?

It’s Smaller Than The Equinox EV

Kia

There’s a reason why we’re comparing it against the Equinox EV, and that’s because this offering from GM is already America’s best-selling EV that isn’t a Tesla. The Equinox EV’s $33,600 base price also doesn’t come at the expense of size. In fact, the Equinox EV is in a larger class than the Niro EV. The Leaf is in the same size category as the Niro EV, but again, with a starting price of $29,990, there is simply no contest when it comes to the Leaf’s value proposition.

Basically, is the Niro EV worth it? Unfortunately, the simple answer is no. There’s really no other way to put it. The only reason you’ll want the Niro EV is because of its design, or you just want an affordable EV from Kia. Apart from these two reasons, you’re better off with either the Equinox EV or the Leaf. Oh, and did I mention that, for the price of a base Niro EV, you can already get a range-topping Leaf Platinum+ for $38,990, and still have spare change for a flagship smartphone or a two-night staycation at a fancy hotel? Or with the Equinox EV, you can already get a powerful 300-horsepower base all-wheel drive (AWD) for just $37,295? Choose wisely, guys.

2025 EV SUV Performance Spec Comparison

Maybe Its Design Is Worth Considering

Kia

So in terms of capabilities and outright specs, the Kia Niro EV isn’t compelling. Then again, as we mentioned, you may like the Kia Niro EV solely for its style.

Striking Aero Blade Profile Adds To Its Limited Appeal

Kia

The most distinct design feature of the Kia Niro EV is its side profile, no doubt mainly due to its striking Aero Blade motif. That’s the rear fender panel behind the rear doors, which can either be color-matched with the rest of the body or finished in a contrasting gray shade in the range-topping Wave. Whatever the case, this design piece functionally improves aerodynamics by channeling air through its small opening positioned along the window line or the rear doors.

Aero Blade aside, the rest of the Niro EV’s design is similar to the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Apart from the badging and wheel choices, there’s no distinct design piece to let others know that you’re driving the EV version, but perhaps that is Kia’s intention with the Niro. Whatever electrified drivetrain you choose, you will immediately know from afar that the Niro is Kia’s entry point into electrified vehicle ownership. The base Niro Hybrid and Niro Plug-In Hybrid serve as the brand’s cheapest hybrid and plug-in hybrids, respectively. Likewise, the Niro EV also fulfills the role of being Kia’s most affordable EV.

Interior That’s Behind The Times

Kia

Unfortunately, when it comes to the interior, this is where I think the Niro EV is already falling behind. Sure, the Niro’s interior is competitive in the sub-$30,000 range, but with the EV version already touching the $40,000 mark, other EVs at its price point have far more modern interiors. To make matters more challenging for the Niro EV, the interior feel isn’t exactly as premium as the $40,000 EVs it’s competing with, nor is it as technologically advanced. For reference, a Leaf Platinum+ already gets you quality features, including, among many other things:

• A Bose sound system
• A panoramic sunroof
• A powered tailgate
• Synthetic leather upholstery

Perhaps this is the disadvantage of the Niro EV being shipped from South Korea, thus bearing the full brunt of the Trump administration’s tariffs. Thankfully, there is one Kia EV that, while more expensive than the base Niro EV, is still a more compelling vehicle to consider. Oh, and it’s also made in America, too.

Consider The EV6 Light RWD Models

Kia

Yes, the Kia Niro EV might be the cheapest of Kia’s bunch, but until September 30, before the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit ends, the EV6 Light variant can be cheaper than the Niro.

The Cheapest Kia EV Until September 30

Kia

How’s this for a plot twist? With a base price of $35,400 with the Federal Tax Credit, the base EV6 Light RWD is a far more cutting-edge and technologically-advanced EV versus the Niro EV, and even the Equinox EV and the Leaf. Sure, because this is the Standard Range model, it only has 237 miles of range, but there’s no doubt that the EV6 is a more premium vehicle than any of its rivals at its sub-$40,000 price point.

Want more range? The Light RWD Long Range still costs less than a base Niro EV, since it is priced at $38,700 after the Federal Tax Credit. With that, you now have 319 miles of range, and you also get a far nicer EV than the Equinox EV and the Leaf. There’s a reason why the EV6 has won a ton of awards and accolades, and that’s because it blends an unparalleled amount of style, functionality, and refined driving dynamics that, to a certain degree, even puts it nearly on par with premium German rivals.

Being American-Made Makes It Resilient

William Clavey | TopSpeed

The key to the EV6’s compelling price tag this time around is its manufacturing advantage. Whereas the EV6 used to be manufactured in South Korea, the facelifted EV6 is now manufactured at Hyundai Motor Group’s (HMG) Metaplant in Savannah, Georgia. Though the Federal Tax Credit is ending on September 30, the EV6 will be resilient to Trump’s tariffs, especially since many of its parts, including the batteries, are also manufactured in the United States. With Kia’s large retail and manufacturing footprint in the United States, Kia is in a strong position to remain resilient amidst the challenging economic and political times that the automotive industry is facing.

2025 Kia EV6 Light RWD Specifications

*After $7,500 Federal Tax Credit