The new 2023 Kia Niro comes with a bold look, adding a dose of cool to its eco-friendly image. The base hybrid model comes with a 139-hp four-cylinder, while the perkier plug-in-hybrid model adds a more powerful electric motor that bumps power to 180 ponies. The cabin is lined with sustainable materials and matches the extroverted exterior styling.
The Kia Niro has been designed as a hatchback and marketed as a small crossover that can seat five people if necessary. It is available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or battery-electric vehicle, so there is an efficient powertrain option for customers looking to be more environmentally friendly. The Hyundai Ioniq is no longer available as a BEV, but Toyota offers hybrid and plug-in versions of the Prius and RAV4.
The Kia Niro has been updated for the 2017 model year and boasts several improvements over its predecessor. These include better build quality, improved safety features, and larger dimensions both inside and out. The car is also finished to a higher standard, making it look less like a budget option. All three models are now available nationwide, while the electric version comes with an impressive 253-mile range as standard. Automatic emergency braking is another useful addition that comes as standard on all models.
You will notice the new, daring design. The small hatchback has turned into more of a crossover-like vehicle, with proportions that are highlighted by a boomerang body panel in black or two-tone color. This panel covers the D-pillar and goes from the roof down to the rear wheels. As far as the interior goes, it follows current crossover trends with an arcing dash that is stretched horizontally. There is also quite a bit of gloss-black plastic around an available 10.3-inch touchscreen.
The 2023 Niro is more efficient than ever, with three electrified powertrains that all boast efficiency gains in their front-wheel-drive setups. The Niro HEV hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter inline-4 with a 32-kW electric motor to produce 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. It's not the fastest car on the block, but it will go far on a single tank of gas, with an EPA rating of 53 mpg combined -- which is at least three mpg better. Both the hybrid and plug-in hybrid use a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The electric version has an EPA range of 253 miles.
The 2023 Niro comes with a bunch of new safety features, including Highway Drive Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance Assist, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning. It also has the same starting MSRP as the outgoing 2022 model. The 2023 Niro EV will have lower MSRPs than the outgoing model, so customers can get more modern technology and convenience features at a better price.
LX HEV: $29,995 MSRP
EX HEV: 31,995 MSRP
EX Premium HEV: $34,695 MSRP
SX HEV: $38,695 MSRP
EX PHEV: $37,995 MSRP
Premium EV: $44,995 MSRP
Premium + EV: $47,995 MSRP
Limited EV: $52,995 MSRP