The 2023 Kia Niro lineup has been given a massive redesign for the 2023 model year, and this redesign has changed its hybrid, PHEV, and EV models. Meanwhile, the electric SUV segment continues to grow, and the Niro EV has a lot of competition that car shoppers are likely comparing it to. Here’s a look at the 2023 Kia Niro EV and four reasons shoppers should choose it over the 2023 Subaru Solterra. 

1. The 2023 Kia Niro EV is a much more affordable EV option than the 2023 Subaru Solterra

According to Kia, the 2023 Niro EV starts at about $39,500 MSRP before any incentives. In comparison, Subaru wrote that the Solterra begins at about $45,000 before incentives. That’s a roughly $5,000 price difference between the two electric SUVs. Kia currently offers one other trim on the Niro EV, called the Wave trim. 

The Wave trim starts at about $45,000 as well. This means that car shoppers comparing the two EVs can choose the Niro EV’s top trim and still spend the same amount of money as they would’ve if they picked the Solterra. The Solterra is even more expensive if folks choose its top trim, starting at around $52,000. That’s a difference of $7,000 compared to the Niro EV’s top trim.

2. Families will be able to carry more groceries in the Kia Niro EV

On top of that, owners will be able to carry a little more cargo in their Kia Niro EV than they would in the Subaru. The Niro EV has 22.8 cu. ft. of cargo capacity behind the second-row seats. When owners fold those seats down, it gets a max cargo capacity of 63.7 cu. ft. In comparison, the Solterra has 23.8 cu. ft. of cargo capacity when its seats aren’t folded. When they are folded, the Subie maxes out at 63.5 cu. ft. of cargo capacity. 

It’s a difference of about 0.2 cu. ft., but there’s a larger difference in terms of passenger volume. The Niro EV has 99.7 cu. ft. of passenger volume, while the Solterra has 95.7 cu. ft. This means drivers and passengers in the Niro EV should have more room to sit around.

3. The Niro EV has a longer standard range than the Solterra

One of the most critical aspects of an EV is its range, and Kia gave the Niro EV much more range than Subaru gave the Solterra. The Niro EV has an electric motor that gets 201 hp, and it’s paired with a 64.8-kWh battery that allows the Kia to go 253 miles on a single charge. 

In comparison, the Solterra’s electric motor gets 215 hp, and while it’s paired to a 72.8-kWh battery, it only allows the Subie to go 228 miles on a single charge. That’s a difference of 25 miles or about 10%. In fact, the 2022 Niro EV only had a range of 239 miles, which means that even an old Niro EV has more range than a brand-new Solterra.

4. Kia offers a better warranty package than Subaru

The Niro EV has Kia’s well-known warranty package, and it’s simply more generous than what Subaru gave the Solterra. For example, the Niro EV has a five-year or 60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Solterra, meanwhile, has a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.