If you’re looking for information on a newer Kia Niro, we’ve published an updated review: 2019 Kia Niro Review
About as unpretentious as they come, the 2017 Kia Niro is Kia’s big swing at the Toyota Prius. After selling nearly 50,000 fewer units in 2016 than during the year before, Toyota still managed to sell nearly 137,000 examples of its popular hybrid last year. That puts the Prius squarely at the top of the hybrid food chain. The Niro is all about knocking the Prius down a peg or two by siphoning off some of those sales, while attracting first-time hybrid buyers as well.
Believing it has landed on a formula to finally put to rest the idea that mostly environmentalists and old hippies drive hybrids, Kia dreamed up an unhybrid hybrid. Blending into the vehicle landscape, the Niro is absent of futuristic styling. It looks, well, normal, both inside and out. Yet it still manages to reach 50 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving in its entry-level trim. That’s the hybrid part of the equation. Everything else is the unhybrid part. Don’t worry, though — there’s still plenty of room on the rear bumper for that “Save the Planet” bumper sticker.
What’s New for 2017?
The 2017 Kia Niro is all-new from the rubber up. Although it will share its hybrid-specific platform with the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq, the Niro got there first. See the 2017 Kia Niro models for sale near you
What We Like
Crossover styling; honest-to-goodness 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; big array of driver-assistance technologies; available Harman Kardon audio system; terrific fuel economy
What We Don’t
Performance is a bit sluggish in Eco (normal) driving mode; 110V inverter only available as option in top Touring grade; no all-wheel drive
How Much?
$22,890-$29,650
Fuel Economy
The hybrid system produces a total of 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Despite all Niro grades using the same 104-hp 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine mated to a 43-hp electric motor to provide forward thrust, government-estimated fuel economy depends on the trim level. Stepping up the trim-level ladder adds features, which add weight, and weight drags on mileage. Also scrubbing away a bit of mileage is the somewhat larger face the Niro presents to the wind. Kia made a conscious decision to sacrifice some wind cheating for beefier, more crossover-like styling.
Kia may well have been able to squeeze out another mile or two per gallon by moving engine output to the front wheels (AWD isn’t available) via a CVT rather than the 6-speed dual-clutch automatic it chose. Again, this was by design. Kia product planners took every opportunity to create the illusion that the Niro isn’t a hybrid. One way they chose to accomplish that is with a transmission that shifts gears. Boosting fuel economy are some aluminum elements, like the hood, tailgate, assorted suspension components and the brake rotors. Lumping all of this together results in some pretty impressive fuel economy.
The government rates the entry-level FE at 52 miles per gallon in the city and 49 mpg on the highway. The two midlevel grades (LX and EX) come in at 51 mpg city/46 mpg highway. At the top of the trim-level heap is the Touring, at 46 mpg city/40 mpg highway.
Standard Features & Options
Niro offer fours grades and a limited-production version of its top trim level. No matter how you cut it, there’s a load of value regardless of the grade. You must choose the higher EX or Touring trim levels to get some of the driver-assist safety features; otherwise, each grade is well-stocked.
Anchoring the Niro lineup, the FE ($22,890) comes with 16-inch tires with wheel covers, auto on/off headlights, power outboard mirrors and door locks, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, 7 airbags, an outside temperature display, a trip computer, 6-way adjustable front bucket seats, dual-zone auto climate control, a backup camera, Bluetooth connectivity, a UVO infotainment interface, a 7-in touchscreen and a 4-speaker audio system with a USB port. No factory options are available.
If you add roof rails and push-button start to the FE, you basically get the LX ($23,200). It also comes with a hidden storage tray in the cargo area and a rear center armrest. Factory options include fog lights, LED daytime running lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a forward-collision warning system, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking and smart cruise control.
There’s a little more air between the LX and EX ($25,700), with additional features on the EX that include the LX’s available options (except for the driver-assist technologies) as well as power-folding/heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, cloth-and-leather seat trim, 3-level heated front seats, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. Options include the LX’s driver-assist options and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
The Touring ($29,650) is the top-level trim. It builds on the EX’s content with 18-in alloy wheels, a power sunroof, leather seating, ventilated front seats, an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with a subwoofer, an 8-in touchscreen, a heated steering wheel and a front/rear park-assist system. In addition to the driver-assist features offered as options on the LX and EX grades, Touring options include HID headlights, a 110V inverter and a wireless phone charger.
The Touring Launch ($28,000) is a special edition, limited-production trim. It’s similar to the Touring, but only comes in either a special black or white pearl paint and features black roof racks, a unique grille insert, special interior colors and gray alloy wheels. It doesn’t get the power sunroof, ventilated front seats or heated steering wheel. There are no factory options.
Safety
Neither the government nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash-tested the Niro.
The Niro comes standard with a driver’s knee airbag in addition to the typical six airbags found in most cars. Every Niro also has hill-start assist and a rearview camera. The full battery of safety technologies isn’t standard even on the Touring grade, but blind spot monitoring, lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the EX, Touring and Touring Launch trims. Optional on the LX, EX and Touring grades are forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, smart cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
Behind the Wheel
In its quest to build an unhybrid hybrid, Kia not only attended to what we see, but to how the Niro feels to driver and passengers alike. With the two driving modes, you can choose to optimize fuel economy, causing the Niro to accelerate as one might expect a hybrid to accelerate — engaging the throttle leads to a short pause, a gradual takeoff and long, leisurely shifts. Or opt for Sport mode and discover that here Kia pretty well hit its unhybrid mark. Upshifts are noticeably snappier and downshifts quicker. Goosing the accelerator is answered with acceleration that’s about what you would expect from a traditional 4-cylinder crossover.
In terms of ride and handling, the Niro has a relatively low center of gravity and feels well-planted in the turns. Some of this is due to the electric motor’s battery being stowed under the second-row seat. In any event, steering response is quick and there’s very little sway when taking a turn.
Other Cars to Consider
Nissan Rogue Hybrid — Larger and more powerful than the Niro, the Rogue doesn’t approach the Kia’s fuel economy; but if cargo hauling is a bigger concern than mpg, it’s a solid choice.
Toyota Prius Prime — It’s tough to talk about hybrids without bringing a Prius into the discussion. Because it’s the car at which Kia was aiming, it’s the Prius we chose. Hands down, it’s the best Prius yet.
Autotrader’s Advice
Each version of the Niro offers better-than-average value. The EX will probably be the biggest seller, and we believe it offers the best value. It provides the same standard driver-assist safety features and options as the Touring. Although we really like the Harman Kardon audio system in the Touring, we can live without it. If you’ve decided on a crossover but have thought about a hybrid, here’s your chance to check both boxes. Find a Kia Niro for sale
