How do you make a base-model car more desirable, even though it might have fewer bells and whistles than other vehicles higher up the spec range?
If we’re talking about an electric car, the answer is to fit it with a bigger battery, enabling it to go much further than before, while not having a massive impact on the list price.
And that’s exactly what Kia has done with its new ‘2’ Long Range crossover SUV - offering a range of 282 miles, yet won’t break the bank.
Let us explain what this all means.
There are three trim levels with an e-Niro- base ‘2’, mid-range ‘3’ and range-topping ‘4+’, the latter of which features goodies like black leather upholstery, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation, and all the driver assistance systems you could think of.
There’s also a choice of two battery sizes with an e-Niro lease - 39 kWh or 64 kWh - with either 134 bhp or 201 bhp and the smaller of those two batteries offering a range of 180 miles.
In the past, that 39kWh unit is what you got with the ‘2’ models. The bigger battery was reserved for the ‘3’ and ‘4+’ models.
But that’s all changed with this new 2 Long Range, which does come with the bigger battery and which Kia says offers ‘more range than any other sub-£35,000 electric vehicle’ in the UK.
While it won’t affect lease customers, that list price also undercuts the recently announced lower maximum threshold for the Government’s plug-in car grant (PICG).
The brilliant thing about the ‘2’ Long Range is that while it doesn’t sit at the pinnacle of e-Niro ownership, it’s still loaded with kit as standard.
Owners will enjoy an 8.0-inch touchscreen display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels, reversing camera system and rear parking sensors, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, and Smart Key & Button Start.
A battery heating system is also fitted, designed to insulate and warm up the battery while the vehicle is plugged in, minimising the adverse effects of cold temperatures.
The ‘2’ Long Range also offers the same large cabin and spacious boot as other e-Niro models, with generous space for five occupants and 451 litres of cargo capacity.
And you should also bear this in mind;
The e-Niro was the UK’s best-selling battery EV during the first two months of 2021, accounting for almost one in five of all nationwide EV sales up to the end of February.
Those people can’t all be wrong. And if you’re looking for an alternative to cars like the Volkswagen ID.3 or Hyundai Kona Electric, the e-Niro is a must-consider car.
The new model is now available to order across the UK, with customer deliveries due to start in July.
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