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Ford Explorer vs Kia Niro EV
Selected trim2 · 2022-26Change trim288 mi · 64.8 kWh · £34,995
At a glance
In this comparison, Ford Explorer leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Kia Niro EV leads on city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the Kia Niro EV if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Ford Explorer leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueFord
Ford
6.1
Kia
4.9
Motorway RangeFord
Ford
3.5
Kia
2.1
FamilyFord
Ford
6.7
Kia
4.7
ChargingFord
Ford
4.6
Kia
1.6
Cost Per Mile
Ford
3.5
Kia
3.5
Too close to call
City DrivingKia
Ford
5.4
Kia
6.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia Niro EV2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,185 | £34,995 (better) |
| Official range | 273 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 470 L | 475 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 25 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | 7.8 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Ford Explorer
Kia Niro EV
Length
Ford Explorer4,468mm
Kia Niro EV4,420mm-48mm
Width
Ford Explorer1,872mm
Kia Niro EV1,825mm-47mm
Height
Ford Explorer1,630mm
Kia Niro EV1,545mm-85mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia Niro EV2 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,468 mm | 4,420 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,872 mm | 1,825 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,063 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,545 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.9 m | 10.6 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 528 mm spare | 575 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia Niro EV2 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | 916 mm | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 470 L | 475 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1460 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,000 kg | Not available |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Ford Explorer Style 58kWh |  Kia Niro EV 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.47m | 4.42m-48mm |
| Width | 1.87m | 1.82m-47mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.06m | Not available |
| Height | 1.63m | 1.54m-85mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.77m | 2.72m-47mm |
| Ground Clearance | 193mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L | 475L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1460L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | 916mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.9m | 10.6m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,908kg | 1,739kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,000kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58kWh | 64.8kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 273 mi | 288 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 105kW (better) | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,185 | £34,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £33,685 (-£1,500) | £34,995 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2026+ | 2022–2026 |
* Kia Niro EV: Heat pump: an option on the 3 and 4, not available on the 2.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia Niro EV2 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 273 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 183 miles | 194 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 25 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 105 kW (better) | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 164 Wh/km | 164 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 58 kWh | 64.8 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia Niro EV2 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | 7.8 sec (better) |
| Power | 140 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 255 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | fwd |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Kia Niro EV
2
8.0/10
average across 7 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- DrivingElectric4/5
- Autocar4/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Ford Explorer
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Ford Explorer Style 58kWh
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist72%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia Niro EV2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years (better) | 7 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Owners love
- Owners praise the quiet, comfortable ride and the planted, enjoyable handling, often rated above the VW ID.4.
- Efficiency is a strong point: owners report around 3.4 to 4 miles per kWh, 300+ miles from a full charge in mild weather and about 200 in winter.
- Rear-seat space is generous, and the interior is felt to be a step up from other Fords.
Watch out for
- A few owners report electrical faults soon after delivery (warning lights, a failed instrument display, a car that would only select neutral), with long waits for a diagnosis.
- Several owners report slow repairs, parts waits and difficulty getting a courtesy car, and some dealers were unfamiliar with the car.
- The heat pump and head-up display are extra-cost options.
Owner tips
- Precondition the car before cold-weather journeys to keep efficiency up.
- Check the car thoroughly on collection, including paint and every warning light, before accepting it.
Kia Niro EV
2
Owners love
- Efficient, with owners commonly seeing 3.5-4.5 miles per kWh
- Quiet, comfortable and easy to drive, with a useful i-Pedal one-pedal mode
- A bigger boot than the e-Niro, plus a small front storage compartment
Watch out for
- Rapid charging peaks at around 80 kW, slow next to newer EVs
- Winter range falls well short of the official figure, around 220-230 miles in real use
- The heat pump was an extra-cost option, and cars without it lose more range in winter
Owner tips
- Check whether the car has the optional heat pump if you do a lot of winter driving
- Keep motorway speeds around 60-65 mph when range matters
Buying options
Get a quote
Ford Explorer
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Kia Niro EV
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Ford Explorer
No active listings.
Kia Niro EV
- £13,4052023Car360View
- £23,6502024Car360View
- £22,6412024Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Ford Explorer or the Kia Niro EV?
The Kia Niro EV is £190 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £176 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the two land within £190 of each other - effectively the same to own. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Ford Explorer and Kia Niro EV like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 183 miles for the Ford Explorer and 194 miles for the Kia Niro EV - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Ford Explorer or the Kia Niro EV?
The Kia Niro EV is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 47 mm narrower than the Ford Explorer. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 575 mm of total clearance for the Kia Niro EV and about 528 mm of total clearance for the Ford Explorer. The Kia Niro EV also turns in a 0.3 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Ford Explorer or the Kia Niro EV?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Ford Explorer and 84% for the Kia Niro EV. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. The Ford Explorer has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the Kia Niro EV.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Ford Explorer comparisons
More Kia Niro EV comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Ford Explorer and Kia Niro EV rank among the best family EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia Niro EV rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Ford Explorer and Kia Niro EV rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia Niro EV rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia Niro EV rank among the best city EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia Niro EV rank among the cheapest EVs to run
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Ford Explorer EV (2024 on): Standard or Extended Range, RWD or AWD, Recalls & What to Pay
A used electric Ford Explorer buyer’s guide: Standard and Extended Range, RWD and AWD explained, the 2026 battery change, recalls, warranty, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one with the grant, and a printable checklist.
Guide
Buying a Used Kia e-Niro or Niro EV: Which Is Which, Range, Warranty & What to Check
A used Kia e-Niro (2019-2022) and Niro EV (2022-on) buyer’s guide: telling them apart, 39 vs 64 kWh, trims, Kia’s 7-year warranty, drivetrain noise, heat pump, recalls, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .