Kia Niro - Consumer Reports

Current Model

Kia's five-passenger Niro hybrid marries good fuel economy with cargo versatility. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and electric drive unit puts out a combined 139 hp.

This combo is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. We got 43 mpg overall, which is good but not as impressive as the Hyundai Ioniq or Toyota Prius. A plug-in hybrid is also available. The handling lacks agility, and the ride is a bit choppy. The optional power driver's seat provides better support than the standard seats. An EV version with a 239-mile range is also available. Updates for the 2020 model include new headlights, a standard 8-inch touch screen, and various exterior styling details. Available safety features include automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane keeping assistance, and rear cross traffic warning, but they push the price above $30,000.

2020 Kia Niro

Road Test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

See all 2020 Kia Niro Ratings & Reliability

2017-2019

2017 Redesign Year

Kia's five-passenger Niro marries good fuel economy with cargo versatility. This front-wheel-drive hybrid uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine which, in conjunction with the electric drive unit, puts out a combined 139 hp.

This combo is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Because the lithium-ion battery is located under the rear seat, that creates a flat cargo floor when the rear seats are folded. We got 43 mpg overall, which is good but not as good as the Hyundai Ioniq or Toyota Prius. The handling lacks agility and the ride is a bit choppy. The optional power driver seat provides better support than the standard seats do. A suite of advanced safety features is available, including automatic emergency braking, smart cruise control, and blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert.

2019 Kia Niro