The Kia Niro is a subcompact hybrid crossover and the brand’s most fuel-efficient gas-powered vehicle. It’s also available as the Niro plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and the Kia Niro EV electric vehicle, both of which we detail separately.
The Niro is longer than the Soul and the Seltos, although its total interior volume is slightly less than that of the Soul. MSRPs started at $26,990 at the time of writing, which makes it the fourth most affordable Kia behind the Soul, the Seltos, and the K4. The Sportage, which is also available as a hybrid, is larger and starts at more than $30,000.
While acceleration is very slow and the cabin is noisier than the PHEV or the EV models, the Niro delivers fuel economy of up to 53 mpg combined, offers a lot of space in a small package, and has impressive yet accessible technology.
Kia Niro Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Kia Niro Pros and Cons
- Kia Niro Generations
- Kia Niro Second Generation (2023-Present)
- Kia Niro First Generation (2017-2022)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Kia Niro years are the best?
The second-generation Niro is the best in terms of exterior and interior design. It also has the most up-to-date technology.
Which Kia Niro years are the worst?
The first-generation Niro LX models with keyed ignitions are the worst, as these base models (along with all Kia models with keys) are easily stolen unless you can confirm they received a manufacturer-approved repair.
Is a used Kia Niro a good deal?
Yes, for its fuel economy and general quality, the Niro is a good deal.
Kia Niro Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent fuel economy
- Stylish second-generation models
- Great infotainment
Cons:
- Slow
- Noisy inside compared to the PHEV and EV
- First generation feels very dated
Kia Niro Generations
Kia Niro Second Generation (2023-Present)
Like the first generation, the gas-powered Niro models used a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a 32-kW motor, producing a combined 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The lithium-ion polymer battery was rated at a lower 1.3 kWh, compared with its predecessor’s 1.6 kWh. Unlike most hybrids that use a continuously variable transmission, the Niro used a dual-clutch transmission with six gears.
Despite having only an 11-gallon fuel tank, the Niro could cover almost 600 miles when averaging mpg in the low 50s, which we found easy to attain during our test. All Kia Niro trims had impressive fuel efficiency. The Niro LX, the EX, and the SX were rated at 53 mpg city, 54 mpg highway, and 53 mpg combined, while the Touring package (you can have EX Touring or SX Touring), which upgraded the wheels and added more comfort features such as ventilated front seats and parking assist, was rated at 53 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, and 49 mpg combined.
While the wheelbase and the overall length were longer (0.8 and 2.5 inches, respectively) compared with the first generation, the Niro was a short, subcompact crossover. Width increased by just over half an inch, while height and ground clearance (6.3 inches) were unchanged. The Niro's body was rectilinear with thin, level lines accenting the grille, the lower door stampings, and the body's shoulder line. Polished black trim accented the wheel wells, while a large, arrow-shaped black panel was behind the rear door—reminiscent of the Audi R8. Boomerang-style taillights created a thick, bright border against the tailgate glass and snapped to the edges of the roof, the rear fascia, and the spoiler.
Straight and diagonal lines pervaded the cabin, which used design cues from the electric EV6. The two-spoke steering wheel, Nike swoosh-style door handles, and steeply angled door pulls blended into the rhomboidal and trapezoidal shapes on the dash. Dual 10.25-inch displays were standard on Niro EX and SX trims, while the base LX had the same instrument panel paired with a smaller eight-inch touchscreen. Oddly, like the first generation, only the LX had wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; higher trims were incompatible. As a recourse, those higher trims came with over-the-air updates, digital keys (which allow for keyless entry and the ability to virtually share keys with others via Kia’s Access App) for smartphones and smartwatches, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and ambient lighting, while the EX Touring trim level added a power sunroof.
Standard safety features included rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, blind spot monitoring, and forward emergency braking. Since smart cruise control was standard on all Niro models, Kia used the radar sensors to automatically adjust the car's regenerative braking to pace the traffic ahead (it could also be adjusted using the paddles on the steering wheel). The Niro also moderated the brake regeneration level depending on the road gradient and could automatically switch the car into EV mode when driving through schools or other congested areas calculated by the navigation. Kia's Highway Driving Assist, a semi-automated system for marked highways, was available with all trims except the LX.
For 2024, Kia removed Fire Orange Metallic from the list of paint colors and made a dual-level cargo floor standard on all trims except the LX. Kia added rear seatbelt pre-tensioners to all trims for 2025.
Average list prices on CarGurus ranged from $23,000 to $27,000 at the time of writing.
Kia Niro First Generation (2017-2022)
Kia's first dedicated hybrid, the Niro, was launched for the 2017 model year and competed with the Nissan Kicks, the Chevrolet Trax, the Honda HR-V, and the Mazda CX-3—none of which were hybrids. It was designed to compete directly, in terms of performance and size, against the Toyota Prius V and the Ford C-Max, both of which were discontinued shortly after the Niro debuted. The design was conservative and dated, but the car was notable for its build quality.
The Niro had a front-wheel-drive drivetrain, while the powertrain was a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a 32-kW electric motor and 1.6-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. Together, they sent 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. In our test of a 2017 Niro Touring, the steering was vague, and our real-world fuel economy was only 35 mpg. Fuel economy was EPA-rated at 52 mpg city, 49 mpg highway, and 50 mpg combined on the base FE, 51/46/49 on the LX trim and EX trim, and 46/40/43 on the Touring trim.
Specs for the base FE included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, a seven-inch touchscreen, and Kia's Uvo telematics. The LX added push-button start with a smart key, while the EX offered heated front seats and exterior mirrors. The Touring had an eight-inch touchscreen with navigation and an upgraded audio system. Automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive smart cruise control were available with all trims except the FE.
For 2018, Kia added lane keep assist to the LX Advanced Technology Package, introduced the EX Premium Package which included most of the equipment from the Touring trim, and made more kit standard on the Touring, such as a wireless phone charger and HID headlights. A Touring Graphite Edition was available with black 18-inch wheels and a silver grille. For 2019, the only major change was renaming the Touring Graphite Edition to S Touring.
Kia redesigned the grille, the headlights, the taillights, and the bumpers for 2020, added new 16- and 18-inch alloy wheels and standard roof rails. The Touring Special Edition was a new trim level that included a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, leather, LED headlights, and two new paint colors (Solar Orange or Horizon Blue) with matching accents inside. For 2021, Kia made wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available with trims with the smaller touchscreen, offered 10 years of free map updates, and introduced a feature that would automatically slow the car around turns when using the navigation. For cars with a smart key, Kia added remote engine start and a rear occupant alert was added to all trims. For 2022, Kia's new logo appeared on the Niro. There were no other major changes.
Average list prices on CarGurus range from $11,000 to $20,000 at the time of writing.
