While many people want a hybrid car today, the Kia Niro was often overlooked because its exterior was unappealing. It was easy to walk past this car and look at other hybrids with more style. That has changed with the introduction of the 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid. While drivers already knew it was an eco-friendly machine, now they find it stylish.
Choose the base hybrid and get a 139-hp engine with four cylinders. Upgrade to the plug-in-hybrid version, and get a car that offers 180 horsepower. Drivers won’t be disappointed when they get behind the wheel of the 2023 kia niro.
The interior is as appealing as the exterior. Unlike most entry-level models today, sustainable materials are found throughout the cabin and look upscale. This car comes with a ‘Green Zone’ drive mode, which uses navigation data to determine when the Niro has entered a neighborhood or is driving past a school or hospital. The car then automatically goes into EV mode. It will do the same when the vehicle approaches frequently visited locations, such as the driver’s home or workplace.
What’s New for 2023?
The Niro is brand new this model year. Engineers took inspiration from the HabaNiro concept introduced in 2019 when designing this car. Expect to pay around $27.925 for the entry-level model and $40,915 for the top-of-the-line SX PHEV. Thanks to this wide range of trim levels, every driver can find one that fits their budget while meeting their needs. The EX Touring trim level has many features drivers want, such as a sunroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 10.3″ infotainment display.
Performance.
While engineers redesigned the Niro Hybrid’s looks, they kept the 1.6-liter four-cylinder powertrain, offering 139 horsepower. They coupled this engine with an electric motor to provide the power drivers desire. This vehicle comes equipped with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Choose the plug-in hybrid and get a car capable of producing 180 hp. While drivers won’t feel like they are behind the wheel of a sportscar when driving the Kia Niro, they will appreciate the perky acceleration offered by the plug-in hybrid. It goes from zero to 60 mph in only 7.3 seconds. The standard hybrid takes 8.9 seconds to reach this speed.
Battery Life and Range.
When buying an electric vehicle, drivers want to know how far they can go before recharging it. Thanks to the 11.1-kWh battery pack in this model, plug-in hybrid owners find they can go roughly 33 miles per charge when driving straight electric. Connect the car to a Level 2 charger, which will be fully charged in under three hours. When industry insiders tested this model, they only got 25 miles out of the battery pack before the vehicle moved to all-gas mode.
Fuel Economy.
The Environmental Protection Agency reports this vehicle can get up to 53 miles per gallon in the city and 54 mpg on the highway if the base LX trim is purchased. Other trim levels get 53 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. On a test drive, industry experts found they got 39 mpg on the highway, while the plug-in hybrid gave them 37 mpg. They tested these vehicles using a 75-mph highway fuel economy route and achieved these numbers.
Interior Features.
Regardless of how nice a vehicle’s interior is, drivers won’t love their ride if it isn’t comfortable. Kia engineers recognized this and fitted the Niro with a sculpted interior design with a contemporary feel. The company uses recycled materials and natural fibers throughout this interior. Who knew eucalyptus leaves could be used to create a headliner and upholstery for a vehicle? Men and women who are concerned about the planet are sure to love features such as these.
The Niro doesn’t have as much space as some competitors, but four adults easily fit in this model. There is plenty of space for groceries, even for large families, and eight carry-on suitcases easily fit in the cargo area when the rear seats are in use. Fold these seats down, and 20 carry-on bags fit in the vehicle. The plug-in hybrid’s cargo space is slightly reduced because the battery pack takes up room. Six carry-on bags will fit with the rear seats up, and 18 bags will fit when the seats are down in this model.
Kia opted to add other features to this fantastic machine. Everyone who rides in the car will enjoy the ambient interior lighting. Drivers enjoy the rotary shift knob that takes the place of the lever-style gear selector found in previous model years.
Connectivity.
The Niro LX has an 8.0-inch touchscreen, but all other trim levels feature a 10.3″ infotainment display. This display features SiriusXM satellite radio and in-dash navigation. All displays have the UVO infotainment system, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Upgrade to the EX model or above, and the car will have a wireless smart charging pad. A seven-speaker Harman/Kardon system comes in the SX and SX Touring trim levels.
Safety Features.
All Niro models have driver-assistance features owners appreciate. Pedestrian detection capabilities and blind-spot monitoring reduce the risk of an accident involving a person or another vehicle. Lane-keeping assist features alert drivers when they drift off, lose focus, and venture out of the lane. Drivers might also choose an advanced adaptive cruise-control system, which comes with a semi-autonomous driving mode.
Forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, and lane-departure warning are standard on these models. A person will feel safe behind the wheel of one of the models. Learn more about these and other safety features by visiting a local dealership. While there, take this car for a test drive to see how amazing it is.
Warranty Coverage.
Drivers want to know they will be protected if something goes wrong with their vehicle. One reason many drivers today turn to Kia when they need a car is the outstanding warranty coverage that comes with vehicles made by this manufacturer. All cars come with a ten-year or 100,000 powertrain warranty. This vehicle also has a limited warranty covering five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Kia has outdone itself with the 2023 Niro.
This car has everything a driver could want. The only drawbacks are the slow powertrain in the base model and the lower fuel economy than seen in previous years. Drivers find they can live with this, as the car is fantastic in every other way.