2021 Kia Niro Hybrid Plug-In Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid is a hybrid vehicle with some all-electric range, just like the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and Toyota Prius Prime. There aren’t many changes for 2021.
The lone powertrain for the Niro Plug-In Hybrid incorporates a 1.6-liter inline-four engine, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), an 8.9-kilowatt-hour battery pack, and an electric motor. Total system output is 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. But it’s the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s efficiency that’s more impressive: 105 miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric mode, and 46 combined city/highway mpg in gasoline mode. It’s also rated for 26 miles of all-electric range and 560 miles of total range. Charging-wise, the standard Level 2 home charger will replenish the car’s battery in 2.25 hours. DC fast charging (Level 3) isn’t available, however.
Just like last year, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid comes in LXS, EX, and EX Premium grades. The base LXS comes with 16-inch wheels, projector-beam headlights, LED daytime running lights, a six-speaker audio system, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that now includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The EX comes with mirror-mounted LED turn signals, front fog lights, LED taillights, Qi wireless device charging, a 7-inch instrument cluster LCD, rear console vents, cloth-and-leather upholstery, a 10-way power driver’s seat, adjustable ambient lighting, and heated front seats.
The EX Premium tops the range with LED headlights, a sunroof, an eight-speaker audio system that includes a subwoofer, LED interior lights, leatherette upholstery, cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety-wise, even the base LXS gets forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning with lead-vehicle departure alert, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and rear cross-traffic alert. The EX comes with cyclist avoidance, adaptive cruise control, lane-following assist, and a new rear-occupant alert feature. Moving up to the EX Premium gives you rear parking sensors and navigation-enabled adaptive cruise control.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2021 Kia Niro Hybrid (without the plug) four out of five stars for overall crash safety, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Niro Plug-In Hybrid top “Good” marks in all crash tests.
The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid is a thrifty and practical vehicle.
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2021 Kia Niro Hybrid Plug-In Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Air filtration: ionizing · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Pandora internet radio · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Cargo area floor mat: rubber/vinyl · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: passenger side · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: accessory hook · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.23
Engine
EV battery capacity: 8.9 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 60 · Electric Motor Torque: 125 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time (120V): 8.75 hours · Electric motor charging time (240V): 2.25 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 26 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 104 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5700 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 109 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4000
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: black · Door handle color: body-color · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: black · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
Starter Type: motor/generator
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 8 in. · Smartphone integration: wireless Apple CarPlay
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rails: silver
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.0 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Kia MyUVO · Smart device app function: horn/light operation
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel covers: partial
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer · Solar-tinted glass: front
Air Conditioning
Air filtration: ionizing · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Pandora internet radio · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Cargo area floor mat: rubber/vinyl · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Ambient lighting: color · Assist handle: rear · Autonomous lane guidance: lane centering · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: accessory hook · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.23
Engine
EV battery capacity: 8.9 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 60 · Electric Motor Torque: 125 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time (120V): 8.75 hours · Electric motor charging time (240V): 2.25 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 26 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 104 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5700 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 109 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4000
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: black · Door handle color: body-color · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: black · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
Starter Type: motor/generator
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 8 in. · Smartphone integration: wireless Apple CarPlay
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 7 in. · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rails: silver
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth · Upholstery accents: leather-trimmed
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.0 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Kia MyUVO · Smart device app function: lock operation
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel covers: partial
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent · Solar-tinted glass: front
Air Conditioning
Air filtration: ionizing · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Pandora internet radio · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 7
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Cargo area floor mat: rubber/vinyl · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Ambient lighting: color · Assist handle: passenger side · Autonomous lane guidance: lane centering · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.23
Engine
EV battery capacity: 8.9 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 60 · Electric Motor Torque: 125 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time (120V): 8.75 hours · Electric motor charging time (240V): 2.25 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 26 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 104 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5700 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 109 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4000
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: black · Door handle color: body-color · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: black · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
Starter Type: motor/generator
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 10.25 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 7 in. · Warnings and reminders: low washer fluid
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: automatic high beam dimmer · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt/slide · Roof rails: silver
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash · Traffic sign recognition: adaptive speed limiting
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.0 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Kia MyUVO · Smart device app function: maintenance scheduling
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel covers: partial
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent · Solar-tinted glass: front