Posted on October 13, 2023
Brands are brands, but some brands are much more than that. Enter Kia, one of the more unique automotive manufacturers out there. The main appeal of Kia has always been value, and if you look into our lineup of Kia EVs for sale in Sherwood Park, you’ll find that they have plenty to offer and are some of the most value-packed EVs you can buy. Today, we’ll be taking a closer look into the best features that make Kia EVs stand out. These features include powerful batteries, convenient charging, and tons of technology to improve your time behind the wheel. It's no wonder that Kia's electrified models are becoming so popular with Sherwood Park drivers.
The Kia EVs that are available for the 2024 model year include Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). The Sportage and Sorento are available in both HEV and PHEV variants. The Soul EV is a fully battery electric vehicle that doesn’t use a gasoline-powered engine of any kind and instead relies on a battery paired with electric motors. The Niro is available in HEV, PHEV, and BEV configurations. The last two Kia EVs for the 2024 model year are the EV6 and EV9. The former is a sleek, compact SUV with stellar performance, while the latter is a roomy three-row model.
One of the best features of Kia EVs is their batteries. The first thing any manufacturer needs to get right is their batteries, as they’re the number one feature of an EV. Kia’s batteries are capacious, which helps its vehicles travel for extended periods between charges. Having a larger battery also means that towing is a possibility with various EVs in Kia’s lineup. Kia has made a solid showing in the current market, and its EVs have proven to be popular with many Sherwood Park drivers.
The batteries that are especially worth mentioning are found in the two stars of the show: the EV6 and EV9. These purpose-built BEV models are Kia’s priciest EVs, and for a brand that prides itself on value, spending more reaps greater benefits. A perfect example of this is the batteries, but we’ll get to that momentarily. First, let’s look at what Kia’s lower-capacity batteries can provide you.
Kia’s smallest batteries are no slouches either and are the ones that come paired with gasoline-powered engines. For example, the Niro PHEV employs an 11.1 kWh battery and electric motor alongside its 1.6L I-4 engine, while the Sportage PHEV and Sorento PHEV pair a turbocharged 1.6L I-4 engine with a 13.8 kWh battery. These powertrains help make Kia's plug-in hybrid models some of the most efficient SUVs on the market.
The 2024 Niro PHEV has an electric efficiency rating of 2.1 Le/100 km for an estimated all-electric range of 55 km. The 2023 Sportage PHEV produces 88% more horsepower and 32% more torque than the Niro PHEV, but efficiency is still a strong suit, with a rating of 2.8 Le/100 km and an electric range of 55 km thanks to the larger battery. Driving around Sherwood Park with this level of efficiency will help save money, whether you work in North Central Edmonton or like to visit the West Edmonton Mall to do some shopping.
However, the vehicles that really benefit from Kia's battery technology are the four BEV models: the Niro EV, Soul EV, EV6, and EV9. To break things down, the 2023 Soul EV comes with either a 39.2 kWh battery or a 64 kWh battery, but both provide 291 lb-ft of torque. The difference comes down to horsepower and range, with the smaller battery harnessing 134 hp, while the 64 kWh battery outputs 201 hp. When it comes to range, the 39.2 kWh battery allows you to travel an estimated 248 km before the next charge, but the 64 kWh battery increases this by 54% to 383 km. If you think that’s good, just wait because the Niro EV, the EV6, and the EV9 would like to have a word.
The Niro is a familiar sight to Kia regulars as it has recently celebrated its eighth birthday in Kia’s lineup. The 2024 Niro EV, on the other hand, takes things to a new level with a completely electric powertrain built around a 64.8 kWh battery. Performance is admittedly similar to the higher-end Soul EV, with the Kia Niro EV producing a familiar 201 hp but 188 lb-ft of torque. The main benefit? An estimated range of 407 km on a single charge. As for the EV6, things are taken even further, as towing is a possibility.
The 2024 EV6 is available in three powertrain configurations, all built around a 77.4 kWh battery. The most powerful variant is found in the GT trim and provides the EV6 with 576 hp and 545 lb-ft of torque, which is currently the strongest showing for a Kia EV. The base Wind trim has rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive and is currently the longest-range model in the lineup, with an astonishing 499 km of estimated range. To put this level of range into perspective, you can travel from Calgary to Edmonton and still have well over 150 km left. All three powertrains can also tow 1,043 kg of cargo.
Let’s also mention the 2024 EV9, as this upcoming three-row electric SUV has plenty of enthusiasts excited. The EV9 uses the same Electric Global Modular Platform as the EV6 but stretches it and upgrades to a 99.8 kWh battery. This massive battery is what has allowed Kia to create a three-row SUV running exclusively off electric power for the first time.
Kia EVs can be charged with a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 DC fast charger. A Level 2 charger is the ideal starting place as you can have one installed in your home, and it can recharge any Kia EV overnight. This means when you get home from work, you can plug in your vehicle and have a full charge by the time you set off on your morning commute. However, public DC fast chargers can get you back on the road in a matter of minutes.
The Kia EV6 uses an industry-leading 800V battery architecture that allows it to recharge from 10% to 80% in less than 18 minutes when plugged into a 350 kW DC fast charger. The Kia Niro EV isn't quite as fast to recharge, but it can still top off its battery in 43 minutes at a DC fast charger. Big cities like Edmonton have their fair share of public charging locations, and with the accompanying Kia Charge app on your smartphone, you can find charging locations all around Alberta and the rest of Canada.
Part of Kia’s value is how it brings feature-packed infotainment centers to every driver, even in its more cost-effective vehicles. On that note, every Kia EV comes with a sizeable infotainment center. A 20 cm infotainment center comes standard with the Niro Hybrid, Sorento HEV, and Sorento PHEV, but the Niro PHEV and Sorento PHEV can be upgraded to 26 cm screens. The Niro PHEV, Niro EV, and Soul EV all come standard with a 26 cm screen, but the best tech can be found in the Sportage, EV6, and EV9.
All these vehicles come with a sizeable 31 cm screen, which is the largest that you can find in any Kia model. These infotainment centers come with features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as accessories like a wireless phone charging pad. The EV6 and EV9 also incorporate a Heads-Up Display that adds more depth than ever before by adding Augmented Reality (AR) to the mix. This is a tech that has been taking the world by storm, and you can expect plenty of other automobile manufacturers to follow suit.
Many people are still purchasing vehicles they plan to drive for the next five or more years that don’t even have half the features of Kia’s most cost-effective EV. When you purchase a Kia EV like the Niro EV, Sorento PHEV, EV6, EV9, or any other electrified Kia model, you’re getting more for your money than many other drivers. EVs are in a great place currently as their tech has matured enough to become viable means of transportation, and vehicles like the EV9 are an example of the confidence that Kia has in its journey to a greener future. However, you can count on your Kia EV to be an excellent investment, no matter which one you buy. If you aren't convinced yet, contact us or drop by our Sherwood Park location and see these revolutionary vehicles for yourself.
Categories: EVs for sale in Sherwood Park