You’re standing in a dealership lot, staring at two identical-looking crossovers. Same sleek shape. Same electric soul. Same 239-mile promise of freedom from gas stations.
But that price sticker? One says $39,990. The other whispers $44,650.
And suddenly, you’re stuck in that familiar car-buying paralysis. Will those extra features actually matter on your Tuesday morning commute? Or will you kick yourself for months, knowing you spent five grand on a sunroof you barely crack open?
Here’s the thing. This choice feels harder than it should because both trims are genuinely excellent. You’re not picking between “good” and “great.” You’re choosing between “really good with your wallet happy” and “really good with a few extra smile-makers.”
Keynote: 2022 Kia Niro EV EX vs Premium
The 2022 Kia Niro EV trim comparison centers on value versus luxury. Both trims share identical 239-mile range, 201-hp electric motor, and full safety technology. The EX starts at $39,990 with heated seats and premium audio. The EX Premium adds $4,660 for ventilated seats, sunroof, and parking sensors. Climate and budget determine the right choice.
Why This Choice Feels Tricky (But Doesn’t Have to Be)
Both trims share identical power, range, and core tech. You won’t sacrifice performance either way.
The real question: Will those Premium extras bring you daily joy, or just gather dust?
I’ll walk you through every meaningful difference so you can decide with confidence.
The Quick Take: What Stays the Same, What Changes
Performance & Range (Identical on Both Trims)
| Feature | EX | EX Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 201 hp |
| Torque | 291 lb-ft | 291 lb-ft |
| EPA Range | 239 miles | 239 miles |
| Battery | 64-kWh | 64-kWh |
| 0-60 mph | 7.8 seconds | 7.8 seconds |
| Onboard Charger | 7.2 kW | 7.2 kW |
201 hp, 239-mile EPA range, 7.2 kW charging. Completely identical between trims.
EX delivers solid comfort and tech at $39,990. Premium adds luxury touches at $44,650.
That $4,660 gap buys sunroof, ventilated seats, upgraded materials, and parking sensors.
Price Reality: What You Pay Now vs. What You Feel Later
The Upfront Numbers (New and Used)
2022 MSRP vs. 2025 Used Market
| Status | EX Trim | EX Premium Trim | Price Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| New (2022) | $39,990 | $44,650 | $4,660 |
| Used (2025 Average) | $18,000-$20,000 | $21,000-$23,000 | $2,000-$3,000 |
| Used EV Tax Credit | Up to $4,000 (if qualified) | Up to $4,000 (if qualified) | Can flip value equation |
New in 2022: EX started at $39,990, Premium at $44,650. A $4,660 difference that felt significant.
Used in 2025: You’ll find EX models around $18k-$20k, Premium closer to $22k. The gap shrinks to roughly $2,000.
Used EV federal credit (up to $4,000) can flip the value equation if you qualify. Suddenly that Premium isn’t looking so expensive on the secondary market.
Five-Year Ownership: The Hidden Costs
Premium depreciates faster. Expect to lose roughly $3,000 more in resale value compared to the EX over three years.
Maintenance stays nearly identical: about $500 per year for both trims, with tire replacements hitting around $800 every 40,000 miles.
Insurance costs won’t differ much between trims. Your driving record matters more than whether you’ve got ventilated seats.
And here’s what nobody tells you at the dealership: that fancy Premium trim loses value quicker because its exclusive features (sunroof, cooled seats) don’t hold their worth like core tech does. The EX already has the big touchscreen, premium audio, and full safety suite. Those features keep their value. A sunroof? Not so much.
Comfort & Interior: Where Premium Earns Its Name
Seating That Makes or Breaks Your Commute
EX offers heated front seats with a cloth-and-SynTex blend. Comfortable, not luxurious. Your back stays warm on January mornings, and the material wears well over time.
Premium upgrades to full SynTex “leather” with charcoal-and-blue accents plus ventilated front seats. That last part? That’s the game-changer.
Hot climate? Ventilated seats transform summer drives from sweaty to breezy. Phoenix owners rave about this feature like it’s magic. Because when it’s 110 degrees outside and your car’s been baking in a parking lot, those cooling fans turn your seat from “surface of the sun” to “actually bearable” in about 90 seconds.
But if you live in Seattle or Portland? You’ll use those seat coolers maybe four times a year. Heated seats, which both trims have, will get daily use from October through April.
“I thought ventilated seats were just a luxury gimmick until my first Arizona summer. Now I can’t imagine driving without them.” – 2022 Niro EV Premium owner from Scottsdale
Sunroof and Ambient Lighting (Premium Only)
Power sunroof opens up your cabin on clear days. Brings light and air when you crave it.
Ambient interior lighting sets a personalized mood for night drives, lifting the feel from practical to premium. You can dial in soft blue for calm evening cruising or warmer tones for cozier vibes.
Ask yourself: Will these touches make you smile during your actual commute, or just at the dealership? A sunroof is delightful on perfect-weather weekends. But on your regular Tuesday drive to work? You might forget it exists for weeks at a time.
Cargo and Practicality Stay Identical
Both trims offer 18.5 cubic feet behind seats, 53 with rear seats folded. Plenty for weekend trips, Costco runs, and that IKEA furniture you swore would fit.
You’re choosing luxury over capacity here. The Premium doesn’t add storage space.
Rear cargo cover comes standard on Premium. Keeps your gear hidden from prying eyes. Small touch, but genuinely useful if you park in sketchy areas or just like a clean look back there.
Tech & Convenience: Smart Features in Both Trims
Infotainment You’ll Use Daily
10.25-inch touchscreen navigation comes standard on both EX and Premium. No compromise here. This isn’t some dinky seven-inch screen that makes you squint. It’s the full-sized, crisp display.
Harman Kardon premium audio system is standard across the board in 2022 models. Eight speakers with a subwoofer. Crisp sound for everyone, whether you paid $40k or $45k.
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and satellite radio keep you connected seamlessly. Your phone pairs instantly. Your podcast picks up right where you left off. The tech just works.
And this is where Kia made a brilliant move. Most automakers reserve this level of tech for their top trims. You want the big screen? Upgrade. Premium sound? Pay more. But Kia loaded the base EX with features that make it feel like a premium vehicle, making the actual Premium trim a tougher sell.
Premium’s Extra Conveniences
Wireless phone charging (Premium only) eliminates cable-hunting frustration. Small win, big relief. You toss your phone in the charging pad, it juices up while you drive. No fumbling for cords.
Rear parking sensors exclusive to Premium help you nail tight spots without the heart-skip. That little beep-beep-beep as you edge closer to the car behind you? Pure confidence.
Driver’s seat memory (Premium only) saves your perfect position if you share the car. Hit button one, your seat glides back to your exact setup. Button two belongs to your partner. No more daily readjustments.
Safety & Driver Assistance: Peace of Mind Comes Standard
Protection You Get in Both Trims
Standard ADAS Suite (Both EX and EX Premium)
- Forward collision-avoidance with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keeping assist and lane-following assist
- Adaptive cruise control with navigation-based adjustment
- Driver attention warning
- Automatic high beams
Forward collision-avoidance detects cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. Protects everyone around you, not just the folks inside your car.
Lane-keeping assist and lane-following assist keep you centered without feeling pushy. It’s not one of those overly aggressive systems that jerks the wheel. Just gentle nudges.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts guard your lane changes and reversing. Yellow light in your mirror when someone’s lurking. Beep when you’re backing out and a car’s approaching.
Adaptive cruise control with navigation-based adjustment slows you before curves. Highway driving feels calmer because the car knows a bend is coming and eases off the accelerator smoothly.
This is remarkable for a base trim. You’re getting the full safety suite that costs thousands extra on many competitors. Kia didn’t gate this behind the Premium badge.
LED Lighting Upgrade (Premium Only)
LED projector headlights brighten your path more effectively than EX’s halogen units. Better nighttime visibility means fewer “squinting moments” on dark country roads.
LED rear combination lights give the Premium a more modern look from behind. Subtle upgrade, but it’s noticeable.
Is better lighting worth $4,660? Probably not by itself. But it’s part of the Premium package you’re evaluating.
Power, Range & Charging: Completely Identical Performance
The Electric Heart You Get Either Way
Core Performance Specs
- Motor: 201 hp single-motor front-wheel drive
- Torque: 291 lb-ft from a standstill
- 0-60 mph: 7.8 seconds
- Battery: 64-kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion
- EPA Range: 239 miles
201 hp delivers punchy city acceleration. Zippy enough to grin when you merge onto the highway.
291 lb-ft of torque from a standstill makes passing effortless. Electric motors deliver all their twist instantly. No waiting for the engine to rev up.
0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds. Quick for family hauling, smooth for daily driving. Not Tesla-fast, but plenty spirited.
Real-World Range and Battery Health
EPA rates both at 239 miles. Real-world owners report 200-220 miles depending on weather and speed. Highway driving at 75 mph? You’ll see closer to 200. Gentle suburban cruising at 45 mph? You might stretch past 240.
Used EV battery health typically shows 90% capacity after 30,000 miles. Solid longevity for secondhand buys. Kia’s battery management system is conservative, which means slower degradation over time.
10-year/100,000-mile battery warranty covers you either way. Kia backs their electric promise with one of the best warranties in the business.
Charging That Fits Your Life
Charging Timeline Example (20% to 100%)
- Home Level 2 (7.2 kW): 4.5 hours
- DC Fast Charging (to 80%): 43 minutes
- Level 1 (120V outlet): Don’t. Just don’t. It takes forever.
7.2 kW onboard charger on both trims: Level 2 home charging takes about 4.5 hours from nearly empty. Plug in when you get home, wake up to a full battery.
DC fast charging hits 80% in 43 minutes. Road-trip-friendly, though fast stations aren’t everywhere yet. And the Niro’s charging speed is slower than newer EVs. It’s adequate, not impressive.
Plan your home Level 2 setup. The EX’s lower price leaves room in your budget for a quality home charger installation. That $4,660 you save? Put $1,200 toward a proper Level 2 setup and pocket the rest.
Cold Weather Considerations: Optional Package for Both
The Cold Weather Package You Might Need
Cold Weather Package (Optional on Both Trims – ~$1,100)
- Heat pump for efficient cabin heating
- Battery heater for improved cold-weather performance
- Heated steering wheel
Heat pump and battery heater come via optional Cold Weather Package on both EX and Premium. This package is critical if you live anywhere that sees sustained sub-freezing temperatures.
Heated steering wheel available through this package. Transforms frosty-morning drives. Your fingers thank you.
Don’t assume Premium includes this. Verify the package when shopping used models line-by-line. You can spend $45k on a Premium trim and still not have a heated steering wheel if the original buyer skipped this package.
And here’s the kicker: this $1,100 package matters more to daily comfort in cold climates than many Premium features. A heated steering wheel gets used every single winter drive. A sunroof? Maybe once a week in nice weather.
Smart buyers add the Cold Weather Package to the base EX trim, saving thousands over the Premium while getting the features that actually matter for their climate.
Daily Living: How Each Trim Feels Over Time
Ride Quality and Cabin Vibe
Both trims deliver a calm, quiet ride. Not floaty, just smooth and family-friendly. The battery’s weight low in the floor helps stability.
Road noise stays hushed even at highway speeds, making conversations easy. You don’t have to raise your voice at 70 mph.
Backup beeper volume annoys some owners. It’s comically loud. Simple dealer fix tones it down, or you can disconnect it yourself if you’re handy.
The Premium Advantage in Real Routines
Ventilated seats matter most in hot, humid climates. Imagine relief instead of sweat on July errands. Dallas? Atlanta? Miami? Premium starts making sense.
Sunroof and ambient lighting elevate longer drives from mundane to mood-lifting. If you spend two hours daily in your car, these touches add up to genuine happiness over time.
Parking sensors take the guesswork out of tight grocery-store spots. Small luxury, big daily payoff. You’ll parallel park with confidence instead of anxiety.
But strip away the climate-specific benefits, and the Premium’s advantages feel thin. If you live in Maine and rarely squeeze into tight urban parking spots, what are you really paying for?
What Reviewers and Owners Actually Say
The Case for Sticking with EX
Many experts call EX the value sweet spot. Edmunds declares it has “more than enough features to please the majority of buyers.” Car and Driver agrees: “well equipped and costs significantly less.”
You get all essential tech, safety, and comfort without stretching your budget. Nothing about the EX feels cheap or compromised.
If you live in mild climates, heated seats alone keep you cozy year-round. No need for ventilation when your summer highs barely crack 85 degrees.
The Case for Upgrading to Premium
“I almost bought the EX to save money. Test-drove the Premium on a whim. Those ventilated seats in Houston traffic sold me instantly. Zero regrets after two years.” – Houston owner
Choose Premium if you spend hours in your car and crave those comfort touches daily. Not occasionally. Daily.
Sunroof and ventilated seats consistently top owner “glad I got it” lists. These aren’t features people regret. They’re features people specifically seek out when shopping used.
Resale appeal slightly favors Premium among used buyers seeking luxury. Factor that into your math. You might recoup $500-$1,000 more when you sell, narrowing the actual cost gap.
Used Shopping Wisdom
Critical Checks for Used Niro EVs
- Verify which packages came installed (Cold Weather especially)
- Request battery health report (should show 85%+ after 3 years)
- Check for rental fleet history (higher risk of neglect)
- Test DC fast charging if possible (some units charge slower)
- Confirm Kia Connect subscription status
Confirm which packages came installed. Cold Weather and Premium features aren’t always documented clearly in online listings.
Check battery health reports and service history before committing to any used EV. A poorly maintained battery can cost you 30+ miles of range.
Test-drive both trims if possible. Your body will tell you if ventilated seats matter to you. Sit in the driver’s seat for 10 minutes in a hot parking lot. Feel the difference.
Conclusion: Your Simple Decision Framework
The Heart-and-Head Checklist
Match Your Needs to the Right Trim
| Choose EX If… | Choose EX Premium If… |
|---|---|
| You want strong EV tech without paying for extras you’ll rarely use | You drive in hot weather and value daily luxury |
| You live in a mild or cold climate where ventilated seats are overkill | Ventilated seats will get near-daily use in your climate |
| You’d rather spend savings on home charging setup | You’ll smile every time you slide into cooled seats |
| You prioritize practical value over premium touches | The sunroof and ambient lighting genuinely enhance your joy |
| Budget matters and $4,660 is significant money | The price gap won’t stress your finances |
Choose EX if: You want strong EV tech and safety without paying for extras you’ll rarely use.
Choose EX Premium if: You drive in hot weather, value daily luxury, and will smile every time you slide into cooled seats.
Budget reality: Calculate whether that $4,660 (new) or $2,000 (used) buys enough joy to justify the jump.
Trust Your Gut, Then Drive Home Happy
Both trims deliver impressive 239-mile range and peppy electric performance. You can’t go wrong on the fundamentals. Same battery. Same motor. Same safety tech. Same big screen and premium sound.
EX offers exceptional value with every essential you truly need for confident EV ownership. Nothing feels missing. Nothing feels cheap.
Premium adds those “nice-to-have” touches that transform daily drives from functional to feel-good. But only if your climate and lifestyle actually use those features.
Test-drive both, picture your actual routine, and pick the trim that feels like home on wheels. Your Tuesday morning self, six months from now, will thank you for choosing honestly.
Kia Niro EV EX vs Premium (FAQs)
What is the price difference between Kia Niro EV EX and Premium?
Yes, there’s a significant gap. New, the Premium costs $4,660 more than the EX ($44,650 vs $39,990). Used models in 2025 narrow that gap to roughly $2,000-$3,000. The premium buys ventilated seats, sunroof, ambient lighting, parking sensors, and LED upgrades.
Does the Kia Niro EV EX Premium come with ventilated seats?
Yes, ventilated front seats are standard on the Premium trim only. This is the Premium’s biggest comfort advantage, especially valuable in hot climates. The base EX offers heated seats but no ventilation. Both trims have 10-way power driver’s seats with lumbar support.
What features are standard on the 2022 Kia Niro EV EX?
More than you’d expect for a base trim. The EX includes 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation, Harman Kardon eight-speaker premium audio, heated front seats, full safety suite (collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise), wireless charging, and 239-mile range. It’s genuinely well-equipped.
Is the Cold Weather package available on both trims?
Yes, absolutely. The Cold Weather Package is optional on both EX and Premium for about $1,100. It adds a heat pump, battery heater, and heated steering wheel. Critically important: the Premium does not include this package standard. Verify it was added when shopping used models.
How long is the Kia Niro EV battery warranty?
10 years or 100,000 miles. Kia’s battery warranty is among the best in the industry, covering both EX and Premium identically. This protects against significant capacity loss and provides peace of mind for used buyers within the warranty window.
Do EX and Premium have different range or performance?
No, performance is completely identical. Both trims use the same 64-kWh battery, 201-hp motor, and achieve 239 EPA-estimated miles. Acceleration, charging speed, efficiency, everything mechanical is the same. The only differences are comfort and convenience features inside the cabin.