Vehicle history
The first Kia Niro debuted for the 2017 model year with the second-generation version of the car going on sale during 2013.
Model mix
Like its predecessor, the new Niro is a four-door hatchback that sends power to the front wheels. Three powertrains, a self-contained hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), are offered
Slim grille sits atop large air intake. Headlights are a unique shape
| Vehicle tested | Kia Niro SX HEV |
| Body style | Four-door hatchback |
| Engine | 1.6L turbo four and electric motor (139 total system horsepower) |
| Transmission | Six-speed dual clutch automatic |
| Price spread | $29,995 to $38,695 |
| Price as tested (HEV) | $38,695 |
| NRCan combined fuel economy | 4.8L/100 km |
| Observed combined fuel economy | 4.1L/100 kms |
Styling
A very VW Group look. Black-painted vertical panel in back of the rear doors is an interesting accent
The previous Niro looked a bit amorphous and blobby but the new one is sharper-lined, more modern, and could easily be mistaken for a vehicle from the extended Volkswagen Group portfolio. The Niro is fronted by more of a styling accent than a grille, which sits above a massive air intake that is underlined by an attractive bright accent. Distinctively shaped lighting units rest in the upper extremities of the front end and transition into the flanks of the car. There are large black accents on the front and rear fascias and the bottom of the doors. There is an interesting black-paint accent on the section between the rear door and the back of the car that runs vertically from the roof to the rear wheel. Like the front, the rear fascia is visually enhanced with black trim underlined by a bright accent.
Interior
A horizon overlaid with vehicle operation readouts is but one of the displays offered by the digital gauge cluster
Stylish and user-friendly dash of the Niro hybrid
Interesting “duplex” control panel than can be switched between infotainment and climate functions
Large centre console with segments that flip out to create cupholders
The front seats are comfortable and occupants enjoy good room
Supportive rear seats and good legroom for a car this size
If the new Niro’s exterior echoes themes explored by the VW Group, the cabin mined the Citroen back catalogue for inspiration. The dashboard shape resembles that of the Citroen SM from 1970, with the front door panels being reminiscent of those from the Citroen DS that ceased production in 1975. A large computer tablet, shaped to fit into the curvature of the dashboard, places vehicle operation information in front of the driver and infotainment visuals over the dash centre stack. The configurable main gauge package can reflect variants of a very traditional look as well as an interesting background horizon overlaid with necessary information. Like on their Sportage, Kia has elected to handle climate and infotainment via a duplex system located in a strip with touch controls as well as two knobs. Pressing a triangle icon reveals the audio-infotainment functions, with the climate controls displayed when the ventilation fan icon is pressed. Two knobs can handle dual-zone climate temperature or audio on-off-volume and tuning, depending on the function selected. This duplex operation is fascinating, works well enough and the various readouts are of spectacular visual clarity. At night, the background lighting for window switches, door locks and steering wheel, is very crisp. The front of the centre console features a large open storage bin with a wireless self-charging pad as well as USB, USB-C and 12 volt ports. The conventional gear lever, which moves with an expensive precision, is flanked by conventional buttons for front seat heating and cooling, steering wheel heat and parking brake. There is a large open bin to the rear of the shifter with spring-loaded flaps that create cupholders if deployed.
The seats in our SX range-topper are clad in three types of vinyl, solid black on the bolsters and two varieties of ventilated anthracite in the middle. The front and rear seats are comfortable, with the front seats being heated and ventilated. Both front seats are power-operated on the SX trim example driven. Rear legroom is very good for this size of car and the trunk is square and deep below the window line. The top of the dash, front door panels as well as the door trims above the armrest, are padded.
The Niro’s trunk is square and deep below the window line
Performance
The Niro HEV creates 139 total system horsepower from a normally-aspirated 1.6L four and electric motors. Power reaches the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. While not a fireball, progress is steady and acceptably refined unless you push it hard, when it gets a bit raucous. The Niro HEV operates a fair amount of time in pure electric mode, which leads to impressive economy. The transitions from electric mode to gas power mode are smooth; smoother than on a vehicle like the Toyota Corolla hybrid. Road and wind noise are nicely controlled and highway cruising is serene.
Steering is nicely weighted and geared, holds its line well on the highway but is not the last word in feedback from the road.
Braking is strong and there is no hint of the regenerative braking system used on the car.
Ride is generally good, if firm. The use of low-profile 225/45/18 tires lead to a chic look but are more suited to a sports car than a small family hatchback, and lead to more ride harshness than necessary. Lesser models are shod with 205/60/16 tires that should deliver a better ride if you can live without the super-luxury features like navigation and heated and cooled seats, that are exclusive to the SX trim.
The air conditioner keeps occupants pretty cool in sultry summer weather in Toronto but could be stronger.
Sounds from the Harman-Kardon branded audio system are very good.
Pricing
With alloy wheels, roof rails, heated front seats and the iOS-Android cellphone interface, the base LX trim is nicely equipped. The EX adds a heated steering wheel, navigation, remote starting, adaptive cruise control, reverse parking sonar and wireless cellphone charging, and is a good deal. With a sunroof, power tailgate, power driver’s seat and power lumbar adjustment, the EX Premium is nicely equipped but looks overpriced. The SX range-topper, which includes L.E.D, headlights, rain-sense wipers, power passenger seat, ventilated front seats, a Harmon-Kardon audio system, an auto-dim rearview mirror and front parking sonar, is a bargain. Leasing is very good value this year.
Summary
With a compact exterior footprint, roomy, versatile cabin, acceptable speed and refinement and excellent fuel economy, the 2023 Niro HEV is a car that suits the needs of many buyers without venturing into the extreme high technology of the PHEV and BEV versions of the car.
In day-to-day use, the hybrid system in the HEV variant works very well, with the car running in full electric mode a surprising amount of the time. Compared with the Toyota hybrid system, the Kia hybrid system is not as well known, their dealers don’t have the wealth of experience with the technology, and if Kia’s poor handling of owners of failed 2L and 2.4L engines is any indication, the firm may struggle to cope with any issues that develop with the hybrid technology.
Rear view that shows both the contrasting vertical paint panel as well as the bright accent at the bottom of the car