Kia just knocked $10,000 off the Niro EV. That single discount pushes a brand-new EV’s transaction price under $30,000. But before you sign anything, know this: Kia’s own EV3 just hit dealers with a sticker price that undercuts the Niro EV. That’s before any rebate at all.
That timing isn’t an accident. The Niro EV is being phased out. Kia is clearing the lot to make room for its replacement.
How big is the Kia Niro EV discount right now?
The Kia Niro EV discount currently sits at $10,000 in customer cash. That’s one of the largest incentives Kia has ever offered on the model. Combined with the Niro EV’s roughly $39,700–$41,045 starting MSRP, that discount can bring the out-the-door price below $30,000 before taxes and fees.
Kia rolled this out as part of a broader push across its EV lineup. The $10,000 cash matches discounts on the EV9. The EV6 is currently seeing up to $5,000 off. Kia is also sweetening the Niro EV deal with leases as low as $289 a month for 36 months, with $3,999 due at signing. Zero-percent financing offers have popped up on and off throughout the year too.
Why so aggressive? The federal $7,500 EV tax credit expired at the end of September 2025. Automakers have been scrambling to fill that gap with their own cash ever since. We’ve tracked that shift in our breakdown of whether the expired EV tax credit still makes buying an EV worth it. On top of that, the Niro EV simply isn’t long for this world. Kia has confirmed it will discontinue the model starting with the 2027 lineup, with the EV3 stepping in as its direct successor.
Is the Niro EV discount still worth it with the EV3 here?
Not really, and that’s the uncomfortable part of this deal. The 2027 Kia EV3 just launched with a starting MSRP of $29,890, about $31,385 with destination. That’s cheaper than the discounted Niro EV. It also comes with newer tech, native NACS Tesla-plug charging, and a longer-range trim that nearly matches the Niro’s numbers.
Here’s how the two stack up on paper:
| Model | Starting Price (w/ destination) | Range | Charging Port |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Niro EV (outgoing) | ~$39,700–$41,045 MSRP; ~$30,000 after $10,000 discount | 253 miles | CCS adapter needed for Tesla Superchargers |
| Kia EV3 Light FWD | $31,385 | 221 miles | Native NACS |
| Kia EV3 Wind FWD | $36,485 | 321 miles | Native NACS |
Look at that middle row closely. The base EV3 Light is already within a few thousand dollars of the discounted Niro EV. And it’s a 2027 model with a fresher platform, dual 12.3-inch displays, and Kia’s upgraded i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking. Step up to the EV3 Wind and you get 321 miles of range. That beats the Niro EV’s 253 miles, for still less than the Niro’s un-discounted sticker price.
So who should actually buy the discounted Niro EV?
The Niro EV discount still makes sense for one specific shopper. That’s someone who wants the absolute lowest possible monthly payment today. They also shouldn’t mind buying the last model year of a car Kia is retiring. At $289 a month on a lease, it’s hard to beat purely on cash flow.
But say you’re financing or paying cash. Say you plan to keep the car five-plus years. Then the math tilts toward the EV3. You’re buying into a model Kia will support and update for years to come, not one that’s rolling off the line. Resale value on a discontinued EV also tends to soften faster. We’ve seen that play out with other Kia models in our look at why EV6 sales crashed and what that means for buyers.
Still torn on whether to go electric at all right now? Our full decision framework on buying an EV in 2026 walks through the bigger-picture math on incentives, charging access, and total ownership costs.
Does the Niro EV discount beat shopping used instead?
Sometimes, yes. Used EV prices have fallen enough this year that a lightly-used Niro EV, or a comparable compact electric SUV, can now undercut even this discounted new one. That’s especially true once you factor in sales tax savings in states that tax used-car purchases lower.
We broke down exactly how close that gap has gotten in our piece on used EV prices now matching gas car prices. Our used EV buying guide also covers what to check before buying someone else’s EV. If you can find a 1-2 year old Niro EV with low miles for near-$25,000, that may beat even the discounted new one.
What would I actually buy?
If I were spending my own money this month, I’d skip the discounted Niro EV. I’d go test-drive the EV3 Wind trim first. You give up almost nothing on price. You gain real range, and you avoid owning a model Kia itself is walking away from.
The only exception is if you can land that $289 lease. At that payment, the Niro EV discount becomes a short-term bet worth making. You’re not stuck with it long enough for discontinuation to matter.
FAQ
Is the Kia Niro EV being discontinued?
Yes. Kia has confirmed the Niro EV will not continue into the 2027 model year. The new EV3 takes over as the brand’s entry-level electric SUV in the US.
How much is the Kia Niro EV discount worth in dollars?
Kia is currently offering $10,000 in customer cash on the Niro EV. That’s roughly an 18% to 24% discount, depending on trim and MSRP used for the calculation.
Does the Kia EV3 qualify for any incentives too?
Yes. Kia has layered its own $1,500 customer cash or low-APR financing on top of the EV3’s already-low starting price. Regional dealer incentives can add more savings depending on your state.
Which has better range, the Niro EV or the EV3?
The outgoing Niro EV rates at 253 miles. The base EV3 Light comes in lower at 221 miles. But the EV3 Wind trim jumps to 321 miles for a few thousand dollars more, beating the Niro outright.