2025 Kia Niro Test Drive Review: Economy Above All Else

If we advised you to image a hybrid automotive, a Toyota Prius would doubtless spring to thoughts. Toyota has been the go-to identify within the hybrid area since earlier than the twenty first century, however different automakers have began to encroach on that success with fashions of their very own. The 2025 Kia Niro is such an instance: first launched in 2016 and given a second technology within the 2023 mannequin 12 months. Just like the Prius, the Niro is barely out there as an electrified mannequin (hybrid or plug-in hybrid) in addition to a full electrical automobile. Not like the Prius, which is a hatchback, the Niro has solely ever been bought as a subcompact crossover, which means it is a direct competitor to the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

We drove the Niro Hybrid, the least costly of the three powertrain choices. The instance we have been despatched was the 2024 mannequin 12 months within the top-of-the-line SX Touring trim, however the 2025 mannequin 12 months is basically a carryover mannequin with barely totally different options and costs, so we’re going to evaluate it because the latter. Regardless of a slight worth improve, the Niro stays some of the reasonably priced hybrid automobiles on sale in america, and the most cost-effective hybrid crossover. Does a low worth make it some of the compelling choices for an electrified automobile? We discovered.

Exterior Appears: Funky Frugality

The Niro’s styling is exclusive, measured in opposition to the section as an entire and inside Kia’s lineup. A tiger nostril grille blends into the bumper with a multi-tier building, topped by a silver eyebrow and flanked by LED headlights with LED daytime operating lights. On the again, the taillights have a bent boomerang form, and could be paired with a black Aeroblade for $195 solely on the highest SX Touring trim. We predict it is a trendy look that appears vaguely resembles that of the unique Audi R8, however some consumers would possibly want it painted in physique coloration. Talking of colours, the bottom LX trim is barely out there in 5 hues, three of that are premium choices for $395. Stepping as much as the EX provides two extra no-cost colours, Cityscape Inexperienced and Mineral Blue (pictured). These two are the one ones that may be paired with the black Aeroblade.

16-inch wheels come normal on the LX, EX, and SX trims, whereas the EX Touring and SX Touring fashions get bigger 18-inch wheels that up the curb enchantment. Each trim moreover the LX will get roof rails, whereas the EX Touring provides LED fog lights. At 174 inches lengthy, which is seven inches shorter than the Prius, the Niro is simple to park and nimble to maneuver.

Inside & On-Board Expertise: Type Achieved Cheaply

The outgoing Kia Niro had a reasonably plain inside, so this new mannequin steps up the inside high quality and design. A number of design parts from the EV6 trickled all the way down to the Niro, albeit at a cheaper price level. The dashboard options some cool angles with steeply raked door playing cards that make the cabin really feel taller. There are some cool-looking surfaces that do not really feel as costly as they appear, which is to be anticipated at this worth level. Charcoal fabric seats come normal on the LX trim, whereas the EX and EX Touring improve to Charcoal or Grey SynTex with fabric. Stepping as much as the SX or SX Touring brings full perforated Syntex seats in Grey/Charcoal or Charcoal.

The decrease Niro trims ranges are comparatively spartan, however the higher trims pack some nice consolation options. Obtainable options on the SX embrace dual-zone local weather management, heated/ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, LED inside lighting, wi-fi telephone charger, and extra. There are additionally a ton of driver help applied sciences as normal, together with computerized emergency braking, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic avoidance, lane retaining help, driver consideration warning, excessive beam help, and secure exit warning. The EX trim provides Freeway Driving Help, whereas the SX will get entrance and rear parking sensors.

Infotainment: Simple However Complicated

Solely the bottom LX comes with an eight-inch touchscreen with wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. All different trim ranges improve to a ten.25-inch display, which loses the wi-fi performance for each telephone mirroring software program. The display is extraordinarily straightforward to navigate, however the lack of wi-fi telephone integration may be a dealbreaker for some consumers. A six-speaker audio system comes normal, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system within the SX and SX Touring sounds significantly better. {A partially} digital gauge cluster options retro graphics that will not age effectively, however look cool right now. All of the controls for the audio and local weather are housed on the identical display, which means it’s a must to click on to change between them to entry these features. It will possibly get annoying at occasions, however you may program it to mechanically default to which one you utilize extra incessantly.

Efficiency: Gradual However Smart

We examined the usual Kia Niro Hybrid, although this automobile is on the market as a plug-in hybrid and a completely electrical automobile. These variations are reviewed individually, however you may see how all of them examine on the desk beneath.

Efficiency Impressions

As long as you are not anticipating stellar efficiency, the Niro needs to be acceptable for consumers on this section. We mashed the throttle to attain an 8.97-second 0-60 mph time, the second-slowest of any automobile we examined this 12 months. The extra highly effective Corolla Cross Hybrid can hit 60 mph in about 7.4 seconds, although its most gasoline effectivity is decrease than the Niro. As a result of Kia hybrids use a six-speed dual-clutch as a substitute of an eCVT, you do not get any of the drone from the engine. The shifts aren’t the smoothest we have skilled from a DCT, however consumers who hate the sound of solely having “one gear” will want it to most different hybrids.

Journey and Dealing with

The Kia Niro is a crossover designed for a single goal: effectivity. As such, another parts of the driving expertise take a again seat. There are solely two drive modes, Eco and Sport, which minimally change the steering weight and programming of the transmission. Neither mode makes the Niro really feel thrilling, nevertheless it’s removed from sloppy. The suspension within reason comfy, however you may inform it lacks some sophistication over tough pavement. We have been shocked by the Niro’s relative quietness on metropolis roads, and it does not get too loud on the freeway both.

Gasoline Economic system

If gasoline economic system is your primary precedence, the Niro won’t disappoint you. Trims with the smaller 16-inch wheels are rated for 53/54/53 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed. There aren’t any crossovers on sale that may match it. The Corolla Cross Hybrid comes with normal AWD and extra energy, which means it might solely handle 45/38/42 mpg. Choosing both of the Touring trims with the bigger 18-inch wheels drops the gasoline economic system to a nonetheless spectacular 53/45/49 mpg. In our real-world testing, we managed 50.8 mpg round city, however dropped to solely 39.7 mpg on the freeway.

Verdict & Pricing: Economic system über alles,

Not solely is the Kia Niro probably the most environment friendly crossover cash can purchase, it is also among the many most reasonably priced. That is the least costly hybrid crossover in the marketplace, beginning at $26,990 for the LX trim. Costs do go up considerably from there, topping out at $35,390 for the SX Touring, although that trim does not have any expensive choices you want to add. A Toyota Corolla Hybrid is cheaper, nevertheless it’s not a crossover, so it isn’t a straight comparability. As for the Corolla Cross Hybrid, it is extra comparable, beginning at $28,395 and topping out at round $35,000.

There’s lots to like concerning the Niro, in order for you a frugal and reasonably priced crossover with tons of obtainable options. The Corolla Cross Hybrid is best in order for you higher efficiency, however the Niro has superior effectivity, know-how, and practicality. It additionally packs options that aren’t out there on the Toyota. A Prius would possibly get higher gasoline economic system, however when you completely want a crossover, the Niro is now the best choice.