Consumer Reports really likes the Kira Niro EV
The Kia Niro EV is pretty good. But the pricing has never been updated relative to the competition. It was $38.5k for the 2019 model and now $40k for the 2022 model. For comparison, the ID.4 is only $770 more expensive and a much better vehicle overall (and built from the ground up to be an EV). One of the biggest differences between a Niro EV and the newer competition is the charge rate. Niro EV is capped at 77 kW while the EV6/Ioniq 5 will break 220 kW. The ID.4 will charge at up to 135 kW.
The Niro EV shares its powertrain/battery with the much much cheaper Hyundai Kona EV. Unlike the Niro EV, the Kona EV has had its price reduced to stay competitive. Which means it's now $6k cheaper than the Niro EV.
The Kia EV6 is out now, how does that compare to the niro or ID.4?
The EV6 starts at $40,900, though that is for the smaller battery and lower power motor version (Light) which I'm not sure is even available in the US yet. Even with the smaller battery, range is on par with the Niro EV (but you'll spend roughly a third as much time at rapid chargers). If you can get this version it's quite a good value, even though it has less range than the ID.4.
More realistically the base model EV6 that is available today is the bigger battery Wind which starts at $47k. This is a good bit of a jump in price over the ID.4, and that's before any potential markups. Though there are quite a few advantages the EV6 has over the ID.4. A little more power, faster charging (save ~10 minutes per stop), longer range (at least according to the EPA), better handling. The ID.4 has more cargo space (30.3 cu ft vs. 24.4 cu ft). The Niro EV only has 18.5 cu ft of cargo space and less passenger space than the ID.4 or EV6. Although it looks small in pictures, the EV6 is actually the longest of the three (~184.5 inches vs. 180.5 ID.4 vs. 172 Niro).
The EV6 is probably worth the premium over the ID.4 as long as you value road trips and driving dynamics over pure utility. The Niro EV is really only worth considering if availability/price gouging is an issue for the more desirable models. But even then you'd want to make sure a Kona EV doesn't work for you first.
I also shouldn't talk about the EV6 without also mentioning the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The Ioniq 5 shares its platform with the EV6 and starts a little cheaper $43.7k. It is slightly less aerodynamic so it has fractionally less range but a bit more cargo space (27.2 cu ft). Suspension is supposed to be tuned a bit more for comfort than pure handling. Interior is more spartan which could be both good or bad, depending on your preferences.
