The Kia Niro is a compact crossover SUV available in Australia in two fuel-efficient options: hybrid and electric. The hybrid Niro combines a 1.6-litre gasoline engine with an electric motor for good fuel economy without plugging in. The electric Niro goes fully electric, offering a long driving range on a single charge. Both versions prioritise practicality and comfort inside a stylish, contemporary cabin made with recycled materials.

Pros:

• EV range & efficiency
• Surprisingly nimble
• Tech-forward interiors
  

Cons:

• Hybrid variants lag in acceleration
• No EV AWD
• Comfy, not sporty
  

What’s new:

• Fire Orange Metallic paint is no longer available
  

Launched in Australia in 2022, the Kia Niro has become a popular choice for eco-conscious drivers seeking a blend of efficiency, space, and features.  Starting at around $44,930 for the hybrid and $66,590 for the electric version, it offers good value for the segment. But with so many new choices emerging in the eco-friendly car market, how does the Niro hold up in 2024? Let's find out.

Exteriors

The Kia Niro cuts a striking figure on the road, boasting a unique blend of sporty and sophisticated design elements.

Styling elements

The Kia Niro's exterior design combines bold style with thoughtful functionality. Choose from a gloss black grille with a sporty satin chrome trim or a two-tone grille with an integrated charging port on the Niro EV for added convenience. Chrome-look skid plates hint at ruggedness, while power-adjustable, heated, and folding mirrors in body-coloured or gloss black options offer practicality and a touch of customisation. Sharp LED lighting ensures excellent visibility, while a rear spoiler with a high-mounted stop lamp adds a sporty touch and improves aerodynamics. Gloss black roof rails provide additional cargo-carrying capacity. For an eco-friendly touch, available Solar Glass on the windscreen and front door windows can boost cabin comfort in hot climates.

Colour options

The Kia Niro offers eight distinctive exterior colours to suit every taste and style. From classic hues to more sophisticated tones to more eye-catching colours- there's a colour that will match your preference and make a statement on the road. The colours available include Snow White Pearl, Clear White, Mineral Blue, Interstellar Grey, Runway Red, Cityscape Green, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Wheel design

The Kia Niro offers a variety of wheel options to complement its different trim levels and enhance both style and performance. The HEV Base S model features 16-inch alloy wheels, balancing efficiency and aesthetics. For the EV standard model, 17-inch alloy wheels provide a sleek and modern appearance while maintaining a smooth ride. Opting for the HEV GT-Line upgrades you to 18-inch alloy wheels, enhancing the vehicle's sporty demeanour and contributing to a more dynamic driving experience overall.

Interiors

The Kia Niro's cabin prioritises comfort, functionality, and a touch of modern flair.

Interior layout and space

The Kia Niro stands out with its spacious interior, which comfortably accommodates up to five adults, making it ideal for family outings or extended road trips with friends. Unlike competitors that may feel cramped in the back seat, the Niro offers ample headroom and legroom throughout.  The Kia Niro offers spacious front seating with 40.5 inches of headroom, 41.5 inches of legroom, 56.3 inches of shoulder room, and 53.3 inches of hip room. In comparison, the second row provides 39.6 inches of headroom, 39.8 inches of legroom, 55.4 inches of shoulder room, and 53 inches of hip room. The driver-focused design features a clean dashboard layout that provides generous space, ensuring a comfortable driving experience without feeling constrained. Additionally, select trims enhance rear seat comfort with dedicated air vents, ensuring all passengers remain comfortable during lengthy journeys.

Comfort and ergonomics

The Kia Niro is designed to deliver a comfortable and welcoming interior experience for drivers and passengers, thanks to meticulous design and thoughtful amenities. Its ergonomic seating is specifically crafted for long journeys, offering exceptional support and adjustability to accommodate various body types. Soft-touch materials grace the dashboard and door armrests, enhancing the cabin's ambience with a luxurious feel that sets it apart from competitors relying heavily on hard plastics. Depending on the trim level, drivers can enjoy the added comfort of a heated steering wheel, particularly during cold mornings.

Ample storage solutions, including a 12V power outlet, covered centre console, and convenient door pockets, ensure that personal items are neatly organised and accessible throughout every journey. Additionally, interior options such as charcoal partial cloth and artificial leather upholstery in the S trim and charcoal artificial leather in the GT-Line trim offer drivers the flexibility to personalise their Niro according to their comfort and style preferences, all while enjoying durable materials designed for practicality and aesthetic appeal.

Boot

The Kia Niro EV boasts an impressive 475-litre boot capacity, surpassing its competitors by a significant margin. Compared to other competitors, the Jeep Avenger, which offers 355 litres, and the Fiat 600e, with 360 litres, the Niro provides ample storage space, offering an additional 120 litres and 115 litres, respectively. This spacious boot ensures ample room for luggage, groceries, or any other cargo, making the Niro EV a practical choice for those who value storage capacity without compromising comfort or efficiency.

Technology and infotainment

The Kia Niro prioritises a tech-savvy interior that seamlessly blends ease of use with many features to keep you entertained and connected on your journeys.

Dual Display Domination

The centrepiece of the Niro's tech suite is a commanding dual-screen setup. A crisp 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster sits directly in front of the driver, displaying essential driving information like speed, fuel efficiency, and navigation in a clear and easy-to-read format. Besides, another 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system acts as your command centre for everything from audio and climate settings to controlling your connected smartphone. This intuitive interface minimises distractions by keeping all the important functions within easy reach.

Smartphone integration

The Niro goes the extra mile to keep you connected on the road.  Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility allow you to mirror your favourite apps, music library, and navigation directly onto the car's touchscreen. This eliminates the need to fumble with your phone while driving, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable journey.

Heads-Up Display

Some Niro trims boast a Head-Up Display (HUD) for an extra layer of convenience and safety. This innovative feature projects vital information like speed and navigation directions directly onto the windshield, right within your line of sight. The HUD enhances driving focus and awareness by minimising the need to take your eyes off the road to check the instrument cluster.

Dial-Type shifter

The Niro embraces a modern aesthetic by replacing the traditional gear shifter with a sleek, rotary dial-type shifter. This space-saving design declutters the centre console and adds a futuristic flair to the interior.

Switchable control panel

The Kia Niro offers a clever solution for those who appreciate touchscreens and physical buttons. The innovative switchable control panel allows you to toggle between the infotainment system's climate controls and physical buttons for a more tactile experience. This ingenious feature balances a clean touchscreen interface and easy access to frequently used functions like temperature adjustments.

Connectivity

The Kia Niro excels in keeping you connected and informed while on the road. With Android Auto and Apple CarPlay at the forefront, you can easily access your favourite apps, music, and navigation through the car's touchscreen. Say goodbye to distractions from your phone while driving! Certain trims even come equipped with built-in satellite navigation, eliminating the need for separate navigation apps. Kia's connected services provide convenience with live traffic updates, weather information, and remote access features in select regions. Plus, with USB-C charging ports and a 12V power outlet, you can ensure all your devices stay charged up for your next adventure.

Performance and engine

The Kia Niro has two variants in Australia: a hybrid (HEV) and a fully electric (EV) version. Their performance differs accordingly.

Engine specifications

The Kia Niro lineup offers a range of variants catering to both hybrid and electric preferences. The HEV models, including the S and GT-Line trims, are powered by a 1.6-litre engine producing 103 horsepower and 144 Nm of torque, delivering reliable performance for everyday driving. In contrast, the Niro EV variants, available in S and GT-Line configurations, feature a 64.8 kWh battery capacity that supports a fast charge time of 43 minutes and provides an impressive range of 460 kilometres on a single charge. These electric options ensure drivers can choose a Kia Niro that best suits their efficiency and driving range needs, whether opting for hybrid versatility or zero-emission electric driving.

Hybrid variants:

Electric variants:

Transmission

The EV offers good acceleration, a maximum range of 460km, and DC fast-charging capabilities. The HEV prioritises fuel efficiency with a hybrid powertrain. Unsurprisingly, the transmission also differs. The EV uses a single-speed reduction gear for simplicity and efficiency, while the HEV relies on a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic for optimal engine performance.

Powertrain and acceleration

The Kia Niro EV offers good acceleration with 201 horsepower, enough for daily driving and overtaking on the highway. Owners report it being adequate for their needs. Meanwhile, the Kia Niro HEV prioritises fuel efficiency with a hybrid powertrain combining a gasoline engine and an electric motor. While acceleration won't win any drag races, it should be sufficient for most drivers.

Range and charging (EV only)

If you choose the Kia Niro EV, you'll benefit from a maximum driving range of up to 460 kilometres according to the WLTP standard. That should cover most daily commutes and errands. Additionally, the Niro EV supports DC fast charging, which can get you from 0 to 80% battery in about 45 minutes with a 100kW charger. AC charging is also possible, but it takes longer.

Braking system

Both the HEV and EV likely utilise a regenerative braking system. This system captures energy during deceleration and feeds it back into the battery, improving overall efficiency.

Handling

Despite being a crossover SUV, the Kia Niro's handling is good. The car is well-sorted, with a tight steering feel that inspires confidence when taking corners. This is likely partly due to the Niro EV's low centre of gravity, thanks to its battery placement under the floor. While not a sports car, the Kia Niro delivers a surprisingly engaging driving experience for a commuter vehicle.

Fuel efficiency

This is a clear win for the Kia Niro EV. As an electric car, it eliminates your reliance on gas stations altogether. The Kia Niro HEV, on the other hand, excels in fuel efficiency thanks to its hybrid powertrain. While specific figures might depend on driving conditions, reviews praise it for being economical.

Safety features

The Kia Niro strongly emphasises safety, offering a wide range of advanced features specifically designed to protect passengers and prevent accidents. To ensure passive safety, the vehicle is equipped with multiple airbags throughout the cabin and 3-point ELR seatbelts that come with pre-tensioners and load limiters. On the active safety front, the Kia Niro incorporates technologies like ABS with EBD and BA, ESC with TCS, and HAC, all of which contribute to improved stability and control while driving. Moreover, the vehicle has advanced driver assistance systems such as AEB for collision scenarios, LKA and LFA for lane-keeping support, and BCW with RCCW for blind spot and rear cross-traffic detection. Additional safety features include DAA+ for driver attention, ISLA for speed limit awareness, and a rearview camera with parking guidelines. With all these safety measures, the Kia Niro is an excellent choice for drivers who value peace of mind and confidence during their daily commutes or travels.

Some of these safety features include:

• eCall with SOS Button (Overhead Console Control)
• Driver & Front Passenger SRS Airbags
• Centre Side Airbag (Front)
• Front Side SRS Airbags
• Driver's Knee SRS Airbag
• Curtain SRS Airbags (1st & 2nd Rows)
• 3-Point ELR Seatbelts on all Positions
• Front Seatbelt Pre-Tensioners with Load Limiters
• Burglar Alarm
• Anti-Theft Immobiliser
• Remote Central Locking with Boot Release
• Folding Key (not available on S trim)
• Smart Key with Push Button Start
• RSPA (Remote Smart Park Assist) with Forwards & Backwards Function (available on GT-Line)
• ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) with EBD & BA
• ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with TCS
• HAC (Hill-Start Assist Control)
• MCB (Multi-Collision Braking)
• VSM (Vehicle Stability Management)
• AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) - Car, Pedestrian, Cyclist & Junction Turning
• LKA (Lane Keeping Assist)
• LFA (Lane Following Assist)
• BCW (Blind Spot Collision Warning) with RCCW (Rear Cross Traffic Collision Warning)
• BCA (Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist) with RCCA (Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance)
• SEW (Safe Exit Warning)
• SEA (Safe Exit Assist) (available on GT-Line)
• PCA (Parking Collision Avoidance Assist - Reverse) (available on GT-Line)
• Parking Sensors with Dash Display (Rear)
• Parking Sensors with Dash Display (Front) (available on GT-Line)
• Rear View Camera with Dynamic Parking Guidelines
• DAA+ (Driver Attention Alert) with Lead Vehicle Departure Alert
• ISLA (Intelligent Speed Limit Assist)
• Haptic Steering Wheel Feedback
• Electrochromic Rear View Mirror (Auto-Dimming)
• ROA (Rear Occupant Alert) - Door History Type
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Dusk-Sensing Automatic Headlights
• Front Wiper & Washer (Low/High and 5-Speed Intermittent)
• Rear Wiper & Washer (2-Speed)
• Rain Sensing Wipers (available on GT-Line)
• Door Open Warning on Driver Display
• Seatbelt Warning Chime & Indicator Light (All Positions)
• Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock
• Child Restraint Anchorage Points (3 x Top Tether Anchors + 2 x Isofix Positions)
• Child-Proof Rear Door Locks (Manual) (not available on GT-Line)
• Powered Child-Proof Rear Door Locks (Auto)
  

The Kia Niro, introduced in Australia in July 2022, boasts a 5-star ANCAP safety rating that applies across all variants.

Ownership experience

Owning a Kia Niro, whether the hybrid or PHEV model, evokes mixed feelings among owners. Many express satisfaction with its reliability, fuel efficiency, and spacious interior, highlighting its peppy performance in urban settings and admirable tech features like Android Auto. However, some owners have encountered issues, such as unexpected mechanical noises and concerns about transmission performance, particularly in higher-mileage vehicles. Additionally, while praised for its practicality and comfortable driving experience, others have noted drawbacks like the lack of all-wheel drive (AWD) and occasional dissatisfaction with handling dynamics. Despite these criticisms, the Niro continues to appeal to those prioritising fuel economy and a well-equipped cabin. However, preferences often lean towards the plug-in hybrid for its added electric range.

Major strengths

• Owners consistently praise the Niro for its exceptional fuel economy, especially in city driving conditions where the hybrid system shines.
• Many users report minimal issues and reliable performance over extended periods, highlighting Kia's build quality and durability.
• The Niro offers ample cabin space for passengers and cargo, making it a practical choice for families or those needing extra room.
• It comes equipped with modern conveniences like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, enhancing connectivity and entertainment options.
• The Niro provides a comfortable ride with good visibility, making driving enjoyable on daily commutes or longer trips.
• As a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, the Niro appeals to eco-conscious buyers looking to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising practicality.
  

Major drawbacks

• Some owners have noted issues with the dual-clutch transmission, particularly in older models or higher mileage, which can impact acceleration and overall driving feel.
• While generally comfortable, the Niro's handling may feel less engaging compared to sportier alternatives, with occasional complaints about steering response and feel.
• The absence of all-wheel drive in hybrid models limits its appeal in regions with harsher weather conditions or for buyers seeking enhanced traction.
• Road and wind noise can become noticeable at higher speeds, affecting overall cabin quietness and comfort on long highway drives.
• Hybrid models have a limited electric-only range compared to dedicated plug-in hybrids or electric vehicles, potentially limiting their appeal to those seeking longer electric-only driving capabilities.
• Some buyers have expressed mixed feelings about the exterior design and interior aesthetics, which make the vehicle less distinctive than competitors like the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V.

Maintenance costs and Warranty information

Kia offers a prepaid five-year service package priced at $1351, specifically for the Kia Niro EV. Service intervals occur every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres. Additionally, Kia provides a transparent 7-Year Capped Price Servicing Program to help predict maintenance costs for your Kia Niro.

Verdict

The Kia Niro is a standout in the compact crossover segment, providing versatile hybrid and electric options that deliver excellent fuel efficiency and a spacious, well-equipped interior. It's perfect for eco-conscious drivers who value practicality without compromising on comfort or modern features. While it shines in city driving and offers a smooth ride, its handling and transmission performance may not be as appealing to enthusiasts. The Niro's extensive safety features make it a great choice for families. Overall, it's a reliable option for those prioritising fuel economy and a comfortable driving experience, especially with the electric variant offering zero-emission capability and a substantial range.

Reference

Owner’s Manual

Brochure