2023 Kia Niro SX
Kia Niro Details
L4, 1.6L
Runway Red
FWD
Gasoline
10 Miles
Charcoal
KB1718
KNDCT3LE8P5100213
Leather
SX
Estimated Payment
$0 / month
About This 2023 Kia Niro
2023 Kia Niro SX Touring Runway Red FWD 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, 8 Speakers, ABS brakes, Air Conditioning, Automatic temperature control, Dual front impact airbags, Dual front side impact airbags, Emergency communication system: Kia Connect (includes 1 year free trial), Exterior Parking Camera Rear, Four wheel independent suspension, Memory seat, Navigation System, Power driver seat, Power Liftgate, Power moonroof, Power steering, Power windows, Wheels: 18 Alloy w/Machined Finish. 53/45 City/Highway MPG
Features & Options
- Navigation System
- 8 Speakers
- AM/FM radio: SiriusXM
- harman/kardon Speakers
- Radio: AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM
- Air Conditioning
- Automatic temperature control
- Front dual zone A/C
- Rear window defroster
- Memory seat
- Power driver seat
- Power steering
- Power windows
- Remote keyless entry
- Steering wheel mounted audio controls
- Four wheel independent suspension
- Speed-sensing steering
- Traction control
- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
- ABS brakes
- Dual front impact airbags
- Dual front side impact airbags
- Emergency communication system: Kia Connect (includes 1 year free trial)
- Front anti-roll bar
- Knee airbag
- Low tire pressure warning
- Occupant sensing airbag
- Overhead airbag
- Rear anti-roll bar
- Power moonroof
- Power Liftgate
- Brake assist
- Electronic Stability Control
- Exterior Parking Camera Rear
- Auto High-beam Headlights
- Delay-off headlights
- Front fog lights
- Fully automatic headlights
- Panic alarm
- Security system
- Speed control
- Bumpers: body-color
- Heated door mirrors
- Power door mirrors
- Roof rack: rails only
- Spoiler
- Turn signal indicator mirrors
- 2-Level Cargo Mat
- Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Auto-dimming Rear-View mirror
- Carpet Floor Mats
- Driver door bin
- Driver vanity mirror
- Front reading lights
- Heated & Ventilated Front Bucket Seats (3-Steps)
- Heated steering wheel
- Illuminated entry
- Leather Shift Knob
- Outside temperature display
- Overhead console
- Passenger vanity mirror
- Rear seat center armrest
- Telescoping steering wheel
- Tilt steering wheel
- Trip computer
- Front Bucket Seats
- Front Center Armrest
- Heated front seats
- Perforated Vegan Leather-Trimmed Seats
- Split folding rear seat
- Ventilated front seats
- 2-Level Luggage Board
- Cargo Net
- Passenger door bin
- Alloy wheels
- Wheels: 18 Alloy w/Machined Finish
- Rain sensing wipers
- Rear window wiper
- Variably intermittent wipers
- 4.438 Axle Ratio
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2023 Kia Niro Review
The all-new, second-generation Niro comes in three flavors and none of them runs exclusively on gasoline. Is the plug-in hybrid the one for you?The fuel-efficient Niro small station wagon has never captured an audience quite like its corporate cousin the Hyundai Kona but this complete redesign replete with edgier styling, more interior room and greater electric range is poised to steal some market share.
THREE FLAVORS OF NIRO
Kia is killing it with its EV6 electric car; compiling awards and impressing pundits. But with a starting MSRP of nearly $50,000, it’s financially unattainable for many first time EV shoppers. That’s where the Niro comes in. Unlike the EV6, it’s available in three powertrains: a gas-electric hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and full electric. Priced from under $30,000 it not only provides curated choices but it’s not that much smaller than the EV6, so this is the bargain play in Kia’s hybrid/electric lineup.
HOW TO CHOOSE?
As a quick primer, a traditional hybrid utilizes a small battery and electric motor to assist a gas-fueled engine with the result being improved fuel economy. It doesn’t require plugging in because sufficient energy to recharge the battery is generated by the engine itself and through regenerative braking. The next evolution is the plug-in hybrid. It utilizes a larger battery so that the vehicle can be powered by electricity alone – at least for a little while - and thus requires an outside source to recharge. In the case of the Niro, that means using either a standard household outlet which takes up to 9 hours for a full charge or a level 2, 240 volt charger which takes only 2.5 to 3 hours. It does not accept DC fast charging. So plug-in hybrids are an excellent choice for drivers who mostly have short commutes but also desire the ability to cover great distances when needed without having to stop and charge.
THE SKINNY ON CHARGING
The Niro comes with the trickle charger required for slow charging and stows in the cargo area when not needed. Charging can also be scheduled during off-peak hours for homes qualified for reduced electricity rates. When fully juiced, this Niro will deliver up to 33 miles of all-electric driving at speeds up to 83 MPH – that’s 7 miles farther than before. You don’t need to use it all from the start, however – an EV button near the gear shift allows the driver to select from four different modes including a hybrid mode that forces the gas engine to remain involved. The automatic mode chooses hybrid or electric operation as it sees fit. And this is something new and very cool: a Green Zone Drive Mode automatically switches the Niro to EV mode when entering areas such as schools, hospitals, parks, etc.
LACKING EV PUNCH
The Niro defaults to ECO mode upon startup which deadens the accelerator, reduces power when climbing a hill and limits air conditioning performance. A switch on the steering wheel can take the Niro into Sport mode where the engine joins in and keeps RPMs raised and adjusts steering effort accordingly to support sporty, fun driving at the expense of fuel economy, of course. The non-electrical side of the Niro PHEV’s propulsion remains the same but with greater output. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission incorporating an electric motor producing a total of 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. That’s 41 more horses than the previous Niro hastening acceleration from 0-to-60 MPH, now requiring 9.5 seconds as opposed to 10 seconds. Quick it is not and the plug-in also misses out on that rush of torque experienced in a full-fledged EV. As usual with PHEVs, the drive is best when exclusively on electrons. This one gets a little noisy, particularly on the highway with the engine running. But by and large, the Niro drives with urban environment competency including excellent, controllable regenerative braking properties. It continues to be front-wheel drive only and so its charge port resides on the left front quarter panel – a preferred location as opposed to the EV6’s rear port door. Total driving range has diminished along with the size of the Niro’s gas tank from 560 to 510 miles – still an impressive distance.
BIGGER BUT NOT AS BIG AS THE HYBRID
With additional passenger and cargo volume the Niro more convincingly plays the roll of a small CUV. There’s a power liftgate now that works like other Kia vehicles in that it smartly opens just by your proximity to it. Do note though that the PHEV’s luggage capacity is reduced by about 20% when compared with the Niro Hybrid to accommodate the high-voltage battery. The rear seats split fold and lie flat for up to 54 cubic-feet of wide, easily accessible hauling space. There’s a tiny bit more space under the cargo floor as well, designed to hold the trickle charger. The floor isn’t completely flat so fitting three across the rear seats isn’t particularly accommodating but head- and legroom are adult-friendly. USB-A ports reside on the side of each front seatback and there are vents on the back of the center console to control airflow. There is a sunroof but it doesn’t extend to the rear seats.
MADDENING CONTROL PANEL
From a design and tech standpoint the Niro takes on a baby EV6 persona including one of its biggest aggravations: the dual-purpose controls below the touchscreen. A horizontal bank of touch sensitive operations is flanked by two actual knobs but you have to be careful about which set is selected – one is for climate controls and the other is for radio and navigation. So, the volume knob is also the temperature knob depending on which set of controls is active. I’ve made the mistake of cranking the heat when I thought I was cranking the tunes…repeatedly. And I haven’t really become used to it even after experiencing it in a few Kias now. Otherwise, Kia’s infotainment system is a perennial winner with easy to access info, PHEV-specific graphics and tools and fun features such as the Sounds of Nature relaxation themes. It’s also updatable over-the-air now but STILL requires the use of a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Changeable ambient lighting is limited in its usage but is most pronounced in front of the passenger with a splashy, colorful graphic display. Kia’s Harman Kardon Premium audio systems are typically very impressive but not this one – the Niro’s sound is thin.
LOADED AND REASONABLY PRICED
Other tech highlights include the brand’s excellent Highway Driving Assist which is the next best thing to Super Cruise just not completely hands-free, a wireless phone charger and Digital Key that allows either an Apple or Android phone to replace the fob. And this is the high-end SX Touring trim so there are heated and ventilated seats, driver’s seat memory, and heated rear seats but no head-up display, at least on the PHEV. The Plug-in Hybrid comes in EX and SX Touring and starts at $33,840 while this top-of-the-line model in Mineral Blue with the awesome-looking black Aeroblade, Cold Weather Package and a handful of smaller options stickers for $42,285 or a lease of $626 per month. The PHEV had qualified for a tax credit of $4,543 but that situation is complex and in flux so check with your Kia dealer.
GIVE ME THE EV
The Niro Plug-in splits the difference between hybrid and electric in a mostly satisfying way at an attractive price though check out the actual EV for a more harmonious and quicker driving experience.