When the Kia Niro hit the market, it confirmed up with a deal with gasoline effectivity like few rivals. Kia didn’t simply throw one model on the market both—they rolled out a conventional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and an all-electric model. Now, over two years since we drove the unique trio, we’re again to check the hybrid model for a full week to see the way it stacks up in the actual world.
This overview not far off the heels of our week-long check of the all-electric Niro GT-Line. We discovered it to be extremely environment friendly, comfy, but additionally kinda dear. What occurs once we lean towards the opposite aspect of the spectrum although? What’s the Niro like as a conventional, non-plug-in hybrid?
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We put the Niro Hybrid by its paces within the metropolis, on the freeway, with cargo, and with a number of passengers. It seems that sure, it’s additionally very environment friendly and comfy. After all, it achieves these targets otherwise and it seems that the worth is much more engaging than the opposite two variants. Desire a metropolis automobile that does nearly the whole lot most patrons need? The Niro proves that Kia is heading in the right direction.
QUICK FACTS
SWIPE
As we talked about the primary time we drove the Niro, it’s arduous to face out on this section. Kia goals to attain this with a couple of very distinctive exterior touches. The model’s signature “Tiger Nostril” grille could be very totally different from each different Kia within the fold. The “Heartbeat” daytime operating laps form of helped to encourage among the items now discovered on different vehicles within the automaker’s vary.
The C-pillars can be found with a “Facet Blade” that will get a separate physique coloration than the remainder of the automobile. Notably, this function goes away to a level for 2025 so when you prefer it, get the Niro sooner quite than later.
No matter coloration, Kia truly incorporates an air duct within the C-Pillars that results in the rear of the automobile to enhance gasoline effectivity. Does it do very a lot? Kia admitted that it’s marginal however hey, at the very least it’s playful, enjoyable, and nonetheless technically useful. A minimum of it’s higher than, say, the plastic diamond plating on the hood of the Land Rover Defender we not too long ago examined.
Then, there’s one other trick Kia makes use of for effectivity: the experience peak. Regardless of being a crossover, with simply 6.3 inches (160 mm) of floor clearance, it sits about at nearly the very same peak off the bottom as a Toyota Prius (6.0 inches). That helps it slip by the air and saves you gasoline as properly due to much less drag.
Powertrain
Talking of gasoline financial savings, that’s the final word mission of this little automobile. Consolation, experience high quality, and practicality are all necessary features, however effectivity actually is the place the Niro tries to make its mark. To that finish, the hybrid we’re driving makes use of a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine with conventional hybrid parts that draw power from the engine.
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It makes simply 139 hp (104 kW) and 195 lb-ft (265 Nm) in complete, which isn’t a lot irrespective of the way you slice it. Fortunately, it weighs round 3,373 lbs (1,530 kg) in its heaviest hybrid type (PHEV not withstanding). That mixture of low energy and comparatively low weight (at the very least by immediately’s requirements), added to the slippery physique, permits the Niro to attain as much as 53 mpg mixed.
Our check automobile is an SX Touring trim, so in concept we must always endure a gasoline economic system penalty based on the producer’s personal specs that state a gasoline consumption of 49 mpg mixed. That’s nonetheless an excellent determine for a automobile of this measurement, form, and value, besides, we managed to beat it. By way of pricing, the Niro begins at slightly below $27,000 earlier than vacation spot and dealing with.
Our trim will set a purchaser again only a contact over $35,000. For that money, patrons get 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, LED fog lights, parking sensors, a hands-free tailgate, roof rails, and a cabin we predict most house owners will get pleasure from.
The Library of Crossover Cabins
Since its introduction a few years in the past, Kia hasn’t up to date the inside of the Niro. The doorways are huge, so getting out and in is straightforward. A panoramic dashboard show consists of each the gauge cluster and the infotainment system in two side-by-side 10.25-inch shows. Total, the sprint is good-looking however not premium, though you in all probability wouldn’t anticipate that at that value level.
The media/local weather controls we’ve complained about a number of occasions courting again to the EV6 are current right here too. We gained’t bore you by complaining how they are often irritating to work, however will hope that hopefully Kia separates them in a future replace. That stated, the middle console is about as simple to reside with because it will get. A space for storing forward of the gearshift provides energy ports, the cup holders are modular, and the cargo cubby is cavernous.
Furthermore, the cabin feels spacious. Taller people can slot in each rows on the similar time with out feeling cramped. Second row occupants additionally profit from energy retailers within the entrance seatbacks, storage pockets, and local weather vents. On prime of all that, we actually just like the switchgear. It offers a extremely satisfying response to button flicks or presses regardless of not being as uniform or sharp as in some rival manufacturers. It’s additionally a dramatic enchancment over programs that leverage nothing however touchscreen or haptic slider inputs.
This, nevertheless, isn’t an ideal cabin. Piano black plastic hasn’t but been banished fully. On prime of that, the door playing cards stay a little bit of an eyesore. A few of that comes all the way down to the cheap-feeling and searching supplies on the playing cards.
The opposite bit comes from the design itself. Take a deeper have a look at the door playing cards and, to our eyes at the very least, they appear to be conflicted. The cohesion typically present in different Kias simply doesn’t appear to be right here the identical means. In any case, it’s a minor gripe that doesn’t have an effect on on a regular basis consolation.
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Lastly, let’s speak about cargo house as a result of that’s a giant motive one may really need a crossover quite than a sedan. Behind the rear seats you’ll discover 22.5 cubic toes which is quite a bit. It’s greater than most will want whereas transporting 4 or 5 individuals and, within the case that one wants extra storage, the rear seats fold down nearly fully flat.
Drive Impressions
I’ll be the primary individual to decry a automobile that isn’t enjoyable to drive. The Kia Niro just isn’t a car that was designed with thrilling drive dynamics in thoughts. If something, it encourages its driver to be extra environment friendly. Nonetheless, it’s much better to make use of round city that I first anticipated. Having the prospect to drive it round my house metropolis was dramatically totally different from having it for under a short while in a model new metropolis.
The Niro felt acquainted and really simple to level and shoot into visitors gaps, tight parking areas, or by tough intersections. The engine isn’t highly effective but it surely’s responsive and revs up shortly. Moreover, the engineering workforce at Kia fortunately picked a real six-speed automated gearbox quite than a CVT.
Different manufacturers nearly lean solely on CVTs and whereas it would assist their gasoline economic system numbers, it typically detracts from the driving expertise. However, Kia is proving with vehicles just like the Niro that CVTs aren’t a prerequisite for good gasoline economic system. Talking of gasoline economic system, let’s speak about Kia’s claims and our expertise.
The SX Touring we drove is meant to rise up to 53 mpg within the metropolis, 45 on the freeway, and 49 mpg mixed. We didn’t hit any of these figures however as a substitute, achieved simply 43 mpg. That stated, I’m assured that fewer requests from the throttle to offer most horsepower would’ve benefited our outcomes.
The week earlier than driving the Niro I examined a Rivian R1S with over 600 horsepower. Maybe I used to be lacking the extra oomph. All that stated, 43 mpg is nothing to balk at contemplating that we loaded the Niro down with three and typically 4 passengers and kit at occasions through the week.
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Notably, most passengers supplied unprovoked feedback on the experience high quality on this little Kia. It’s surprisingly quiet inside for a automobile that prices below $40,000. It doesn’t get unsettled by poor street situations both. In truth, those that just like the experience and cabin of this model ought to take a look at the PHEV and EV if they like these drivetrains, as they’re even higher to drive.
In our preliminary overview, we famous that the brakes didn’t all the time really feel constant or linear. The 2024 hybrid appears to have that problem mended. At no level did the Niro want extra prodding to decelerate or come to a full and correct cease. It’s believable one may expertise it extra on the PHEV or EV however we didn’t discover the identical problem in our latest check of the EV GT-Line.
Competitors
Few segments are as chock filled with contenders because the compact crossover one. It includes a multitude of fashions, from the Chevrolet Trax to the Subaru Crosstrek and the whole lot in between. We gained’t element how the Niro compares with all of them, however listed here are the important thing takeaways after every week spent driving it.
The Niro is certainly among the best in its class. Certain, it’s in all probability not the chief as different vehicles just like the Trax supply a lot of the similar utility and economic system whereas costing much less. On the flip aspect, the Trax can’t come wherever near 40 mpg, a lot much less 50.
However, vehicles just like the Crosstrek are extra off-road targeted. The Niro isn’t one thing you possibly can actually take even on gentle excursions off the crushed path. Then there’s the Mazda CX-30 which provides extra luxurious and the most effective driving habits of the whole section. The Niro has its work reduce out for it, but it surely’s completely value consideration as a result of it’s very gasoline environment friendly and really comfy.
Ultimate Ideas
Kia was a model that few individuals actually thought of and even immediately, amongst household and associates, in addition to some readers, I hear loads of destructive feedback about it. Having pushed a number of latest of its vehicles, I consider that the negativity towards Kia is misplaced. The model has made leaps in comparison with, say, twenty years in the past and most of its fashions can compete with absolutely anything of their class.
As for the Niro, it might need a few faults, however none of them is a deal breaker for its section. Furthermore, it’s undoubtedly loads of automobile for the cash, which makes it an interesting proposition for patrons that put this attribute at or close to the highest of their priorities.