Just got to 4 months. Some things I've learned, some still questions.
2018 Niro PHEV LX (base model)
Status: 17,000 miles, 2 oil changes, one electrical system nervous breakdown (12V battery dead and needed jump), one ignorant service desk guy, about 50 mpg altogether (yes even with electric miles....we aren't snails...baby it's cold outside).
Open questions: Can't find definitive answers in owner's manual (which in numerous places refers to Optima not Niro) or anywhere.
1. Is there any 'vampire' drain? i.e. when the car is not plugged in and off will the battery discharge and at what rate? Li-ion is famous for this.
2. What if any thermal management of the battery happens when the car is off? Yes I know there's an air thing...what about while off? e.g. if it gets to -20F outside when I'm at work will the battery try to heat itself? Same question if plugged in.
Likes:
1. Seating room and general comfort of the cloth seats. Seem stiff but are VW-like in that they are quite supportive. 2 trips over 12 miles with passengers and they remarked quite a good ride.
2. Manual seats with lever....just like VW/Audi. Hate power seats. All it adds is expense and weight.
3. Simple, intuitive, and thorough set of both physical and digital controls.
4. Sport mode. 'Regular' is a bit doggy which is fine. When necessary just 'swipe left' and off you'll go.
5. Very clever programming of mix of ice and ev in town. Different than many HEVs in that it minimizes gas usage through constant RPM and may actually charge the battery for awhile before shutting down rather than on/off/on/off every couple seconds in stop/go. Similar to the Nissan eNote (which is hopefully coming).
6. For those concerned the gas engine fires up for heat, I assure you if you do the math you'll see that overall well to wheel efficiency is not impacted much if any. And with the heat exchanger on the exhaust this thing heats up extremely quickly.
7. Tech...adaptive cruise control and all that are very good.
8. I'm a hatchback kinda guy. Love it.
9. Dual clutch transmission...no cvt....deal maker there!!!!!! Makes ditching the Audi a little easier...same machine basically.
Would change:
1. More aggressive regen...but I understand why they didn't. This is a car for the masses not the enthusiast.
2. Pop for rear hatch. Who doesn't put a pop for the latch? Save your explainations....it's just dumb.
3. Wind noise. I got it coming everywhere. Even the windshield now. Miss that VW/Audi tightness.
4. Door handle materials...like the buttons though. But in and out the handles (and a couple other stray parts) scream cheap when the rest of the interior is quite good.
5. Oh my the cruise at 85 in the wind and cold of the prairie I thought was going to blow the engine. Yes yes mileage and all that. Just a little more top end for open interstate where the speed limit is 80 would be nice.
6. Better app. It's a start....but what a cluster of bad execution. Luckily it's just software and it is already getting better.
7. Backup camera is a joke. As is the rear view mirror. In general visibility sucks rearward. Luckily I used to drive truck and the side mirrors are good. All you really need.
8. The various owner's manuals are a mess. That Audi engineer must be the one driving 900 page manuals but I've seen at least 3 versions of just the 2018 Niro (all from Kia as a source) and all 3 have lots of conflicting information as well as info on other vehicles. The latest one in the owner portal keeps referring to the Optima. Get it together guys.
9. The ABS on ice needs some re-programming....yikes! Snow....much better.
Can't be avoided:
The weather outside is frightful. MPG is impacted on all vehicles. Those with little engines that could especially so.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/col...BZi_ZaNvvZ1tGQQXL6UXvqtniBgSFgbwSRpvEstJH5auY
2018 Niro PHEV LX (base model)
Status: 17,000 miles, 2 oil changes, one electrical system nervous breakdown (12V battery dead and needed jump), one ignorant service desk guy, about 50 mpg altogether (yes even with electric miles....we aren't snails...baby it's cold outside).
Open questions: Can't find definitive answers in owner's manual (which in numerous places refers to Optima not Niro) or anywhere.
1. Is there any 'vampire' drain? i.e. when the car is not plugged in and off will the battery discharge and at what rate? Li-ion is famous for this.
2. What if any thermal management of the battery happens when the car is off? Yes I know there's an air thing...what about while off? e.g. if it gets to -20F outside when I'm at work will the battery try to heat itself? Same question if plugged in.
Likes:
1. Seating room and general comfort of the cloth seats. Seem stiff but are VW-like in that they are quite supportive. 2 trips over 12 miles with passengers and they remarked quite a good ride.
2. Manual seats with lever....just like VW/Audi. Hate power seats. All it adds is expense and weight.
3. Simple, intuitive, and thorough set of both physical and digital controls.
4. Sport mode. 'Regular' is a bit doggy which is fine. When necessary just 'swipe left' and off you'll go.
5. Very clever programming of mix of ice and ev in town. Different than many HEVs in that it minimizes gas usage through constant RPM and may actually charge the battery for awhile before shutting down rather than on/off/on/off every couple seconds in stop/go. Similar to the Nissan eNote (which is hopefully coming).
6. For those concerned the gas engine fires up for heat, I assure you if you do the math you'll see that overall well to wheel efficiency is not impacted much if any. And with the heat exchanger on the exhaust this thing heats up extremely quickly.
7. Tech...adaptive cruise control and all that are very good.
8. I'm a hatchback kinda guy. Love it.
9. Dual clutch transmission...no cvt....deal maker there!!!!!! Makes ditching the Audi a little easier...same machine basically.
Would change:
1. More aggressive regen...but I understand why they didn't. This is a car for the masses not the enthusiast.
2. Pop for rear hatch. Who doesn't put a pop for the latch? Save your explainations....it's just dumb.
3. Wind noise. I got it coming everywhere. Even the windshield now. Miss that VW/Audi tightness.
4. Door handle materials...like the buttons though. But in and out the handles (and a couple other stray parts) scream cheap when the rest of the interior is quite good.
5. Oh my the cruise at 85 in the wind and cold of the prairie I thought was going to blow the engine. Yes yes mileage and all that. Just a little more top end for open interstate where the speed limit is 80 would be nice.
6. Better app. It's a start....but what a cluster of bad execution. Luckily it's just software and it is already getting better.
7. Backup camera is a joke. As is the rear view mirror. In general visibility sucks rearward. Luckily I used to drive truck and the side mirrors are good. All you really need.
8. The various owner's manuals are a mess. That Audi engineer must be the one driving 900 page manuals but I've seen at least 3 versions of just the 2018 Niro (all from Kia as a source) and all 3 have lots of conflicting information as well as info on other vehicles. The latest one in the owner portal keeps referring to the Optima. Get it together guys.
9. The ABS on ice needs some re-programming....yikes! Snow....much better.
Can't be avoided:
The weather outside is frightful. MPG is impacted on all vehicles. Those with little engines that could especially so.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/col...BZi_ZaNvvZ1tGQQXL6UXvqtniBgSFgbwSRpvEstJH5auY