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2020 Kia Niro PHEV - opinions?

  • 19-01-2020 7:07pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭


    I'm seriously considering going for one of these and would like to hear opinions of owners/experts.

    It'll be a move from a 2L diesel. Predominantly town driving with some occasional long journeys, so it seems like it's a perfect match. It's well specced with leather, active cruise, lane departure etc and will be a big step up in driver comfort from the last vehicle so that's all good. What is the real-world range of the pure-EV on it. Anything close to the 58km claimed around town? Any major flaws or drawbacks that I mightn't be aware of with the Niro in particular over other competitors?

    The test drive was with a flat battery unfortunately (yeah, I know!} although a bit of regen did allow some EV exposure, but not much. I'll ask for a drive with a fully charged battery to get a better feel for it.

    How is the at-home charging though? I understand Kia do not recommend using the 3-pin adapter much. Is there a recommended charging unit over others that I should know about? EI offer a 7kW charger for only €150 + grant but I expect/intend to go fully electric in a few years so am I foolish not to go for a more powerful charger now rather than upgrade in 3 years or so, and if yes, what ones should I be looking at in particular?

    Cheers guys.


Comments

  • Moderators Posts: 12,397 ✭✭✭✭Black_Knight


    Pique wrote: »
    I'm seriously considering going for one of these and would like to hear opinions of owners/experts.

    It'll be a move from a 2L diesel. Predominantly town driving with some occasional long journeys, so it seems like it's a perfect match. It's well specced with leather, active cruise, lane departure etc and will be a big step up in driver comfort from the last vehicle so that's all good. What is the real-world range of the pure-EV on it. Anything close to the 58km claimed around town? Any major flaws or drawbacks that I mightn't be aware of with the Niro in particular over other competitors?

    The test drive was with a flat battery unfortunately (yeah, I know!} although a bit of regen did allow some EV exposure, but not much. I'll ask for a drive with a fully charged battery to get a better feel for it.

    How is the at-home charging though? I understand Kia do not recommend using the 3-pin adapter much. Is there a recommended charging unit over others that I should know about? EI offer a 7kW charger for only €150 + grant but I expect/intend to go fully electric in a few years so am I foolish not to go for a more powerful charger now rather than upgrade in 3 years or so, and if yes, what ones should I be looking at in particular?

    Cheers guys.

    7kW is the max you'll be able to run from your home, unless you're wired up for 3 phase (unlikely). You could use a 3pin, but 1. It's slow. 2. You'd need a waterproof external socket, 3. The wiring for that socket would want to be good (it'd be drawing 2kW for the duration of the charge), 4. There's a grant for the charger so why not.

    IMO, get only what you currently need. Tech will charge and get cheaper in a few years time. If you have an electric shower, you'd need to get a priority switch, or a charger which can load balance (more expensive). There's a charger thread you should check out.

    If you're mostly town driving, with some longer range, what range are you talking? Have you considered fully electric. ENiro would have about 400km range. Could be worth doing the math. What's the cost difference between phev and EV? What annual milage you do?

    FYI, I don't own a niro, so I can't give user/owner opinions on it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,186 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    Pique wrote: »
    What is the real-world range of the pure-EV on it. Anything close to the 58km claimed around town?

    40-50km is the range.

    Is your daily driving under that?
    What is your total yearly mileage?

    Pique wrote: »
    Any major flaws or drawbacks that I mightn't be aware of with the Niro in particular over other competitors?

    It runs the engine to heat the cabin. So you could have a full battery and only doing a short run, it will still fire up the engine to give you heat. Not the end of the world I guess.

    Pique wrote: »
    How is the at-home charging though? I understand Kia do not recommend using the 3-pin adapter much. Is there a recommended charging unit over others that I should know about? EI offer a 7kW charger for only €150 + grant but I expect/intend to go fully electric in a few years so am I foolish not to go for a more powerful charger now rather than upgrade in 3 years or so, and if yes, what ones should I be looking at in particular?

    The PHEV only pulls 16A but install a 32A type-2 tethered charge point to future proof for BEV down the road.

    Any of the charge points really will do, unless you have an electric shower which complicates the answer a little bit.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭Pique


    Full EV isn't an option atm really so PHEV is where I'm at.

    What is the story with public charging stations? Is there a single point of contact (account-wise) that covers all chargers in Ireland, or are we like the UK with multiple different companies running disparate disconnected incompatible systems?

    I do have an electric shower, but I presume the EI installer will be able to cope. Do you mean that charging the car and having a shower at the same time is not possible on a home electric setup? If the car is charging does that prevent the shower from pulling the necessary current or is there a choice to charge, automatically switch to shower when required, then automatically return to charge after shower? Not that it really should be an issue I suppose with a 2-3h charge time on a 7kW Type 2 charger.

    Mileage is low in general (12k km pa) but with occasional 200+km journeys (~6-7 times a year). Majority of journeys are <10km and next most common would be ~40-50km.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,186 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    Pique wrote: »

    What is the story with public charging stations? Is there a single point of contact (account-wise) that covers all chargers in Ireland, or are we like the UK with multiple different companies running disparate disconnected incompatible systems?

    Nearly all PHEVs only charge on AC so the rapid DC chargers won’t be relevant to you. The AC charge points around the country are predominantly operated by eCars so that’s all you’d need.
    I do have an electric shower, but I presume the EI installer will be able to cope. Do you mean that charging the car and having a shower at the same time is not possible?

    If you install a 32A charge point you need to ensure it and the shower don’t exceed your house fuse limit. There are options but they cost extra money.
    Mileage is low in general (9k pa) but with occasional 200+km journeys (~6-7 times a year). Majority of journeys are <10km and next most common would be ~40-50km.

    Your mileage is low so your savings will be low but your daily driving is suited to PHEV.

    Is your motivation money or environment or a combination of things?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭Pique


    KCross wrote: »
    Is your motivation money or environment or a combination of things?

    I suppose it's a combination. Diesel is a bad choice given circumstances. Mileage has changed a fair bit since that was bought.

    Environment is a pretty big factor and now is the first opportunity to contribute to a cleaner vehicle choice. EV would be ideal but again not a runner right now cos of reasons (including cost).

    The savings aren't just in fuel but in the combination of factors. Maintenance of diesel with town driving is problematic (and tbh someone is gonna get a great second hand car that they actually need), EV for town and auto box is simply easier, trade in value of current car is only going down and this is an opportune time, the adaption to a greener life (including that of the whole EV world and the learning curve of that) and the fact that it's affordable to do all those things while driving a vehicle that is so much more technologically advanced in features, comfort and active safety kinda make it an obvious move.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 173 ✭✭judgefoozle


    Niro phev owner here - picked up last week so still getting to grips with best way to drive it.

    Would have also considered the full ev version but range not suitable for work - I might drive 300-400km on both Friday and Saturday and would not have been able to fully charge in between days. So until a 1000km range ev comes out or work changes, this suited best.

    You can switch between auto / hybrid / full ev. Fully ev still draws on petrol engine to heat but not loads.

    During the week days I normally drive between 20-40km per day so will be using ev much as possible.

    On a 110km trip yesterday I got 120+mpg using a mix of battery and hybrid. And that's carrying 3 passengers with all heated seats on and nice toasty aircon.

    We already have an EV in the house so can't get another outdoor charger grant - but have been using outdoor plug and granny cable which works fine for me - and is totally ok to use according to Kia. Also using slow chargers whenever they're available - local shopping centre has them.

    As for driving, I love it and all the comforts having come from a basic enough spec 10 year old car.

    Have another out of the norm week day trip today - 200km ish there and back with a mix of motorway and national roads. Looking forward to seeing how it does on motorways.

    Overall very happy with it and could justify the expense of a brand new one. Plan on keeping for 5 year's minimum.

    Hope this helps. Feel free to ask anything else


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Picking mine up today hopefully. Don't have a charger yet, but I can live with the granny cable for now. Really looking forward to it.

    What colour is everyone going for? Mine is metallic red.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭Pique


    Alun wrote: »
    Picking mine up today hopefully. Don't have a charger yet, but I can live with the granny cable for now. Really looking forward to it.

    What colour is everyone going for? Mine is metallic red.

    Horizon Blue for me I reckon.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Pique wrote: »
    Horizon Blue for me I reckon.
    Have you seen it "in the flesh", as it were? The one I test drove was that colour, and to me it looks a bit, well, nondescript. The other metallic blue, Gravity Blue, is so dark it's almost black, and judging by the one I saw, shows up the dirt really badly.

    My current car is white, and I was going to go with that too for the Niro, but I don't think it would go well with the light grey leather, so went for a darker, more contrasting colour.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭Pique


    Alun wrote: »
    Have you seen it "in the flesh", as it were? The one I test drove was that colour, and to me it looks a bit, well, nondescript.

    Actually no I haven't. I saw the Grey and the Red. Grey looks nice but to borrow your phrase, a bit nondescript. Just another grey car.

    There was a dark blue Sorrento there and it reminded me of the kind of colour you saw on Corollas in the 80s & 90s. Ugh.

    I was hoping the Horizon Blue would be a bit 'fresher'. It looks nice in the brochure haha.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭Pique


    On a 110km trip yesterday I got 120+mpg using a mix of battery and hybrid. And that's carrying 3 passengers with all heated seats on and nice toasty aircon.
    Nice. Nothing to be sniffed at. What's the overtaking power like at 100kph? Coming from a torquey diesel I'm expecting a fair drop in oomph (which I'll adapt to, you can't have everything!)
    We already have an EV in the house so can't get another outdoor charger grant - but have been using outdoor plug and granny cable which works fine for me - and is totally ok to use according to Kia.
    According to Kia " It is only recommended in urgent cases, with caution and consultation with electricity providers."
    As for driving, I love it and all the comforts having come from a basic enough spec 10 year old car.
    What did you come from?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,035 ✭✭✭zg3409


    In terms of public charging there is not much point public charging if 99% of your trips can be done on home charging, and long trips adding 50/60km here and there won't make much if a saving. If you have work charging or are staying overnight where there happens to be a free charger then it may be worth the hassle. All the esb public chargers will be okay to use by end if 2020, so not worth paying and waiting for that.

    In terms if chargers, if you have an instant shower and you can install a home charger apply for 600 euro grant as it may not be available forever and install the maximum 7.2 kW home charger. As you have an instant shower only certain types of charger will work. If car is charging full and instant shower like triton t90 us on the house will overload and esb main fuse inside Meyer box will blow. You need a charger with a sensor. Typically people go for a Zappi, but it's about 1200 installed less 600 grant. You can also get an Garo brand with optional "Modbus energy meter" . Any good installer should be able to do this. So budget for roughly 600 on top of grant.

    You can use a 3 pin socket, but you would need an outdoor socket, and then are you going to leave the charging cable at home all the time or unplug it and bring it with you? Fine for first few weeks, but a proper charger with dedicated cable located next to parking spot us better. In terms if fuel savings your trios are so short there may be no savings. In fact a hybrid may cist you more than similar non hybrid petrol only in terms if initial cost, first year depreciation etc. Buying a brand new car is not that eco and not that cost saving, particularly for very short commutes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Pique wrote: »
    I was hoping the Horizon Blue would be a bit 'fresher'. It looks nice in the brochure haha.
    In my opinion it looks a lot "bluer" in the brochure than in real life.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 173 ✭✭judgefoozle


    Pique wrote: »
    Nice. Nothing to be sniffed at. What's the overtaking power like at 100kph? Coming from a torquey diesel I'm expecting a fair drop in oomph (which I'll adapt to, you can't have everything!)

    You can boost the power if you need it for overtaking - doesn't feel lacking at all. Had it at motorway speeds for 100km distance today and was great. Adaptive cruise control, auto lights...
    Pique wrote: »
    According to Kia " It is only recommended in urgent cases, with caution and consultation with electricity providers."

    What did you come from?

    Ask Kia Ireland directly about this if you're worried - there's no issue using granny cable as long as you've a properly wired socket.

    I came from a Prius which the last while was averaging 45-50mpg so this is a big improvement


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 173 ✭✭judgefoozle


    Still figuring out which way to drive for best mpg - the 2x 100km trips today were both motorways at 120km per hour


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 173 ✭✭judgefoozle


    Alun wrote: »
    In my opinion it looks a lot "bluer" in the brochure than in real life.

    I went with Gravity Blue - its very dark and has a nice metallic navy shine to it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 173 ✭✭judgefoozle


    Pic of gravity blue


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 173 ✭✭judgefoozle


    zg3409 wrote: »
    You can use a 3 pin socket, but you would need an outdoor socket, and then are you going to leave the charging cable at home all the time or unplug it and bring it with you? Fine for first few weeks, but a proper charger with dedicated cable located next to parking spot us better. .

    The granny cable is waterproof/ip55 and im using it with an outdoor socket with a lockable cover. This is my permanent charging setup for the Niro.

    This setup might work fine for others too - but if you can get the grant then go for it. We can't as already have zappi and its one grant per household


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭Pique


    The granny cable is waterproof/ip55 and im using it with an outdoor socket with a lockable cover. This is my permanent charging setup for the Niro.

    This setup might work fine for others too - but if you can get the grant then go for it. We can't as already have zappi and its one grant per household

    I'll use the grant alright and in the meantime I've a socket in the garage (junk storage) beside the door that I can use.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 173 ✭✭judgefoozle


    Takes a bit of figuring out how to get best mpg but got 2.9l / 97.5mpg driving 100km of motorway today.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Takes a bit of figuring out how to get best mpg but got 2.9l / 97.5mpg driving 100km of motorway today.
    Just did a round trip from Bray out to the Wicklow Gap (lots of hills, and one use of Sport mode to get past a couple of dawdlers) then back to Annamoe, to the M11 via Devil's Glen and Ashford (nice steep downhill to recharge) then a trip to Vartry Garage south of Wicklow to pick up a rubber boot mat, and then back home via M11/N11 using SCC and LFAS which worked much better than expected. I only had about 30% charge when I left and it went down to about 8% at one point but is now at 13%. Just over 111km at 3.9l/100km, not as good as yours, but there were plenty of steep uphill sections where the engine kicked in. The fuel gauge still hasn't budged from the full mark from when I picked it up on Monday though.

    The only thing that really bugs me is the active LKAS, which might be OK on good roads with clear line markings but is a PITA on windy back R roads with badly faded markings. I've switched off the active correction part of it and just kept the audible warning.

    I'm also not sure why Auto Hold isn't on by default, it's extremely useful, and even beeps to remind you that the car in front has started moving off if you haven't reacted quickly enough :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,186 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    Alun wrote: »

    The only thing that really bugs me is the active LKAS, which might be OK on good roads with clear line markings but is a PITA on windy back R roads with badly faded markings. I've switched off the active correction part of it and just kept the audible warning.

    Kia LKAS is crap. It’s just about usable on motorway. It needs LFA really.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    KCross wrote: »
    Kia LKAS is crap. It’s just about usable on motorway. It needs LFA really.
    It does have it, and it works quite well.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭Pique


    Well I took the plunge. Order in for Horizon Blue and due in a couple of weeks.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,186 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    Alun wrote: »
    It does have it, and it works quite well.

    The PHEV has it now?

    That’s good, they didn’t have it in the PHEV originally. When did they introduce it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    KCross wrote: »
    The PHEV has it now?

    That’s good, they didn’t have it in the PHEV originally. When did they introduce it?
    Not sure if the pre 2020 facelift model had it or not, to be honest.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Grrrr, just discovered that if I go all the way through the settings menu to the Lane Departure section and change it to just warn me (LDW) instead of jerking the steering wheel (LKA) that it reverts back to the default, i.e. LKA, the next time I start the car :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,035 ✭✭✭zg3409


    Alun wrote: »
    Grrrr, just discovered that if I go all the way through the settings menu to the Lane Departure section and change it to just warn me (LDW) instead of jerking the steering wheel (LKA) that it reverts back to the default, i.e. LKA, the next time I start the car :(

    is there no dash button to disable lka like:

    https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hyundai.news%2Ffileadmin%2Feu%2Ftechnology%2F20180717_how_to_use_hyundais_smartsense_safety_tech%2Flane-keeping-assist.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hyundai.news%2Feu%2Fstories%2Fhow-to-use-hyundais-smartsense-safety-tech%2F&docid=G_T25bhW-wyvSM&tbnid=mJmBeYlt5fB0fM%3A&vet=1&w=1600&h=1000&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim

    I am 99% sure the Ioniq has this, not sure about niro


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    zg3409 wrote: »
    Yes, there is, but you have to do it every single time you start the car, and it disables it completely.

    There's a menu option in the setup to switch the LKA response between active, LDW which is just a beep, and Off. Now considering how awkward it is to get to this menu, it's not something you'd want to do every time you get in the car, and definitely not something you'd want to do while driving along, so you'd assume this would be a one off and it would retain the settings but no.

    There's a few complaints on various Kia Niro forums about the same thing, so it's not just me.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭Pique


    I suppose safety features are on by default. There's probably legal liability potential if the possibility to disable it was there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Pique wrote: »
    I suppose safety features are on by default. There's probably legal liability potential if the possibility to disable it was there.
    I don't see why. There's no legal obligation on the manufacturers to supply these features on new cars (yet) so they'd be in the clear in that regard.

    The active lane keeping is really, really annoying on smaller back roads, and the lane following assist when using the smart cruise control is something I'd like to be able to turn off too, as although it does seem to work reasonably well it's a bit of a gimmick as far as I'm concerned.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭Pique


    Alun wrote: »
    I don't see why. There's no legal obligation on the manufacturers to supply these features on new cars (yet) so they'd be in the clear in that regard.

    The active lane keeping is really, really annoying on smaller back roads, and the lane following assist when using the smart cruise control is something I'd like to be able to turn off too, as although it does seem to work reasonably well it's a bit of a gimmick as far as I'm concerned.

    Because you have to cater for the dumbest moron possible. If someone switched it off and then their partner got in and drove thinking it was on by default and veered out of their lane and crashed there could be a possibility of litigation (probably in the US tbf). There's no obligation to use ABS either AFAIK. All these features improve the NCAP rating though.

    Now as I have yet to experience it fully I can't give my opinion on the experience with it like you, but in a month or so I might be echoing your sentiments, who knows.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Just had a very strange experience with the Smart Cruise Control. Was heading down the N11, 100km/h, open road no other vehicles near me, but the car decided to slow down quite abruptly due to a cyclist cycling along the hard shoulder, well over in the centre of the lane, not close to the dividing line or anything.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,934 ✭✭✭daheff




    Ask Kia Ireland directly about this if you're worried - there's no issue using granny cable as long as you've a properly wired socket.

    Well not officially, but if you look online you'll see a number of reports of the granny chargers burning out. Mine included.

    That said they replaced mine with the newer unit....plug is much sturdier, so I guess they've fixed that issue. Also my dealer told me kia weren't going to provide this for phevs going forward....only full ev

    I have mine a year and love it.

    Downsides as I see it...if your aircon temp is 5c higher than outside temp it uses the engine.....so I mainly use the heated seats (usually end up setting mine to low when I need it).

    Cabin tends to fog up a bit as the aircon isn't on as much.

    Real petrol usage (motorway etc) is around 5-6l per 100km.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    I think they've reduced the charging current on the new units. The manual still refers to a model that charges at a max of 12A, but mine maxes out at 10A.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,934 ✭✭✭daheff


    Alun wrote: »
    I think they've reduced the charging current on the new units. The manual still refers to a model that charges at a max of 12A, but mine maxes out at 10A.

    There's a button on the back of the unit to toggle the amps....think there is 3 different settings.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    daheff wrote: »
    There's a button on the back of the unit to toggle the amps....think there is 3 different settings.
    I've seen that button and thought that might be what it was for, but pressing it didn't seem to do anything. The manual mentions 3 settings, L,M,H with L being 8A, M 10A and H 12A. But on mine it actually displays 10A on the far right of the display where H would have been on the older one.

    EDIT: I've figured it out with the help of an online manual for the e-Niro, no mention of it in my manual. You have to press the button, and hold it in for 1sec to change the charging current, and it only works when it isn't plugged in to the vehicle, which is what I wasn't doing.

    Mine switches between 6A, 8A and 10A, whereas the old model switched between 8A, 10A and 12A, displayed as L, M and H. My dealer mentioned something to me about problems with people using coiled extension leads with the old ones and burning out the cable so maybe limiting the max current to 10A is an attempt to reduce that, I don't know.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 254 ✭✭tooth*grinder


    hey folks, I'm looking to get rid of the diesel-mobile this year. Given my daily work commute is half the M50 each way (~50km in total), I'm looking for something I can run more economically and more comfortably than a civic diesel.
    With that in mind, could any owners give me their insights to the following questions?
    Are folks finding the 60KM electric range is far off real world M50 type driving?

    I've a bit of a nagging idea in my head that a 1.6petrol engine with a hefty load of batteries could be a bit sluggish in terms of over taking trucks or merging - how are ye finding it?

    In terms of the fancy electronics, how's the android auto integration? The Korean's seem to have some of the better integrations around, but I know some one with an opel who's had non stop issues with it and that'd piss me off to have to be dealing with it not finding the phone or failing to pass phone calls through.

    How's the auto cruise control? I'm dreaming of being able to sit in M50 traffic without having to start stop clutch every 50meters, can I just set the distance I want to keep to the car in front and essentially let it do the driving?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭Pique


    Finally picked mine up today.

    Was looking forward to nerding over the owners manual only to find there isn't one, just a "Quick Reference Guide" of a whopping 12 pages.

    I rang the dealer back before they closed and he though I had all the booklets that came with it. The shagging infotainment manual is the size of a novel (albeit split between 20 languages).

    Does anyone know if there's a manual online for the 2020 UK/Irish spec PHEV? I can find US ones, and 2019 ones, but no 2020s.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    I got a hard copy one with my car, go back to the dealer and ask for it. I've also been searching for an online one. It's much handier to look things up in a PDF using search, as the so-called "Index" is a joke, but to no avail. Lots of examples for the previous model though.

    The infotainment "manual" is now in the bin ... It's a quick reference only, and in probably about 50 different languages so as thick as a doorstop and totally useless. You can get an online HTML version of the full manual by going here ... http://webmanual.kia.com/STD_GEN5_WIDE/AVNT/EU/English/index.html

    IMG-20200225-122927.jpg


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 235 ✭✭social butterfly 2020


    How is everyone finding the car?. Im due my one in 3 weeks time. All opinions welcome!!.

    Safe driving folks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,848 ✭✭✭?Cee?view


    7kW is the max you'll be able to run from your home, unless you're wired up for 3 phase (unlikely).

    If you are wired up for 3 phase, what difference would this make? Does it mean that you could charge up much more quickly?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,186 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    ?Cee?view wrote: »
    If you are wired up for 3 phase, what difference would this make? Does it mean that you could charge up much more quickly?

    It wont make anything faster unless the car has the ability to charge on 3 phases.

    Most EV's dont and the Niro PHEV doesnt.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Would anyone with a 2020 Niro PHEV like to share what software / map versions they have on their cars? I suspect mine are both way out of date and would like to know what version others have before I tackle my dealer.

    Setup > General > Version info/update


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,636 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    https://www.gpspower.net/kia/360080-kia-software-maps-update-2020-a.html


    New software and maps for Kia, the 2020 would be the wide screen gen 5 for the phev niro


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    graememk wrote: »
    https://www.gpspower.net/kia/360080-kia-software-maps-update-2020-a.html


    New software and maps for Kia, the 2020 would be the wide screen gen 5 for the phev niro
    Thanks, will check that out. I've used that site before, but hadn't noticed that new update, looks like it was only uploaded yesterday.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,186 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    Alun wrote: »
    Would anyone with a 2020 Niro PHEV like to share what software / map versions they have on their cars? I suspect mine are both way out of date and would like to know what version others have before I tackle my dealer.

    Setup > General > Version info/update
    graememk wrote: »
    https://www.gpspower.net/kia/360080-kia-software-maps-update-2020-a.html

    New software and maps for Kia, the 2020 would be the wide screen gen 5 for the phev niro

    With this new version of the software it will be dated Nov 2019.... 1911xx.

    Its worth updating.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    There seems to be a new torrent added recently for MY20 Wide systems. Not sure what the difference is between that and the other Gen5x versions.

    By the way, the mod on that forum seems to be on a bit of a power trip. I asked a simple question and my post was deleted for no obvious reason.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,186 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    Alun wrote: »
    There seems to be a new torrent added recently for MY20 Wide systems. Not sure what the difference is between that and the other Gen5x versions.

    The wide version is just for the wider/newer screen
    By the way, the mod on that forum seems to be on a bit of a power trip. I asked a simple question and my post was deleted for no obvious reason.

    did you ask for his phone number or what? :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    KCross wrote: »
    The wide version is just for the wider/newer screen.
    There were two "wide" versions though, one with Gen5x_Wide in the file name and the other with STD5W in it as well as MY20, which mine is, and also has STD5W in the current software version string.

    The first update failed, but the second one worked fine, so happy out here although the maps are woefully out of date still. If only Ireland would stop building new motorways for a year or two to allow them to catch up :D


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