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Ford Explorer vs Kia e-Niro
At a glance
The Kia e-Niro was replaced by the Kia Niro EV in 2022. Compare the Ford Explorer with the Kia Niro EV
In this comparison, Ford Explorer leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Kia e-Niro leads on running costs and 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 e-Niro if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
- 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
0
Motorway RangeFord
Ford
3.5
Kia
2.5
FamilyFord
Ford
6.7
Kia
3.7
ChargingFord
Ford
4.6
Kia
0.3
Cost Per MileKia
Ford
3.5
Kia
5.1
City DrivingKia
Ford
5.4
Kia
7.1
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
- 93 miles more WLTP range
- 55 kW faster rapid charging
- 40 kW more power
- 1.8s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1 more year of battery warranty
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia e-Niro2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,185 | Not available |
| Official range | 273 miles (better) | 180 miles |
| Boot space | 470 L (better) | 451 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 25 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec (better) | 9.8 sec |
Size Comparison
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Ford Explorer
Kia e-Niro
Length
Ford Explorer4,468mm
Kia e-Niro4,375mm-93mm
Width
Ford Explorer1,872mm
Kia e-Niro1,805mm-67mm
Height
Ford Explorer1,630mm
Kia e-Niro1,570mm-60mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia e-Niro2 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,468 mm | 4,375 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,872 mm | 1,805 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,063 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,570 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 | 595 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia e-Niro2 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | 916 mm | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 470 L (better) | 451 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1460 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,000 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Ford Explorer
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Kia e-Niro
- Uses 153 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 80% of SUVs we track.
- At 4,375 mm, shorter than 80% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Ford Explorer Style 58kWh |  Kia e-Niro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.47m | 4.38m-93mm |
| Width | 1.87m | 1.80m-67mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.06m | Not available |
| Height | 1.63m | 1.57m-60mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.77m | 2.70m-67mm |
| Ground Clearance | 193mm | 155mm-38mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L (better) | 451L |
| 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 | 1,667kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,000kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58kWh (better) | 39.2kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 273 mi (better) | 180 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 105kW (better) | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,185 | Not available |
| Price after EV grant | £33,685 (-£1,500) | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2026+ | 2019–2022 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia e-Niro2 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 273 miles (better) | 180 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 183 miles (better) | 126 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 25 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 105 kW (better) | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Energy consumption | 164 Wh/km | 153 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 58 kWh (better) | 39.2 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia e-Niro2 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec (better) | 9.8 sec |
| Power | 140 kW (better) | 100 kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm | 395 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | fwd |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Kia e-Niro
2
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 e-Niro2 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 e-Niro
2
Owners love
- Very efficient, with owners commonly seeing 4 miles per kWh or more and 250 miles or so from a charge in mild weather
- Little or no battery degradation reported, even on high-mileage and taxi cars
- Comfortable, quiet and easy to live with, with a high seating position and wide-opening doors
Watch out for
- A minority of cars develop a whining or rattling motor and reduction-gear bearing noise, usually fixed under warranty but sometimes with long waits for parts
- The boot is smaller than the crossover shape suggests
- Range drops by around 30% in winter and noticeably at motorway speeds
Owner tips
- Listen for whining, rattling or ticking from the drivetrain on the test drive
- Check the service history is complete (every 12 months or 10,000 miles) to keep the warranty valid
Buying options
Get a quote
Ford Explorer
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Kia e-Niro
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
What are the Ford Explorer and Kia e-Niro like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 183 miles for the Ford Explorer and 126 miles for the Kia e-Niro - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Ford Explorer goes roughly 57 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Ford Explorer or the Kia e-Niro?
The Kia e-Niro is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 67 mm narrower than the Ford Explorer. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 595 mm of total clearance for the Kia e-Niro and about 528 mm of total clearance for the Ford Explorer. The Kia e-Niro 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 e-Niro?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Ford Explorer and 86% for the Kia e-Niro. That gives the Kia e-Niro a modest edge in retained real-world range. 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 e-Niro.
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 e-Niro 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 e-Niro rank among the best family EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia e-Niro rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia e-Niro rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia e-Niro rank among the best city EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia e-Niro rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia e-Niro rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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 .