Taking a page from the Toyota Prius playbook, the 2022 Kia Niro is only available with at least a degree of electric propulsion. It was engineered from the ground up to accommodate battery arrays.
Here we look at the Niro, which is the hybrid (HEV) version.
The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and the fully electric (EV) models are discussed elsewhere.
This is the last year of the current Niro life cycle. A totally redesigned Niro is in the works for 2023.
With that in mind, Kia pretty much left things as they were for the 2022 Niro.
Niro is one of three subcompact crossovers Kia has shoehorned into the segment. The Soul and the Seltos are the other two.
Among its key rivals are the Toyota Prius, the Hyundai Ioniq HEV, and the Honda Insight.
We are impressed with Niro’s fuel economy, appealing design, and generous powertrain warranty.
We are somewhat underwhelmed by its lackluster get-up-and-go and the fact that it doesn’t offer all-wheel drive (AWD).
But, if you think of Niro as primarily an urban runabout, its easy-to-park size, and nimble handling are all the street creds it really needs.
Kia separates Niro into five grades: LX, LXS, LXS SE, Touring SE, and EX Premium. We believe the LXS SE is the best value of content versus price.
Power and Fuel Economy
No matter the trim level, the Niro draws its go from a combination of a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor. Together they generate 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
A 6-speed automatic transmission ferries output to the front wheels. The top two grades provide steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Government-estimated fuel economy differs a bit from grade to grade. The estimated numbers for the LX are 53 mpg in the city, 48 mpg on the highway, and 50 mpg in combined driving.
In the LXS, those numbers drop to 51 mpg/46 mpg/49 mpg.
The Touring and Touring SE take another bite out of them to 46 mpg/40 mpg/43 mpg.
The estimated numbers shoot back up to 51 mpg/46 mpg/49 mpg for the EX Premium.
2022 Kia Niro LX (Starting at $24,690)
Although the LX doesn’t offer any active driver aids, it is otherwise nicely equipped.
Standard content includes 16-inch alloy wheels, projector-beam headlights with auto on/off, LED daytime running lights, keyless entry, and cloth seating for five.
Also included in the price are dual-zone automatic climate control, a 4.2-inch color driver-info cluster, and cruise control.
The infotainment system consists of an 8-inch touchscreen, 6-speaker audio system, two USB ports, Bluetooth with voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto.
Kia doesn’t offer any factory-installed options on any grade of Niro.
Adding the $1,175 destination fee to the LX base price brings the total to $25,865. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $465 per month. See 2022 Kia Niro LX models for sale near you
2022 Kia Niro LX Includes:
- Projector-beam headlights – A step up from reflector headlights, projector-beam headlights include a lens that magnifies the beam’s brightness. Here, they also feature auto on/off.
- Dual-zone automatic climate control – A set-it-and-forget-it system, it divides the vehicle into left and right regions. It provides separate temperature settings for each region. Once set, it automatically maintains the preset temperatures.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Interfacing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto from your smartphone to the vehicle’s multimedia system is achieved without cables.
2022 Kia Niro LXS (Starting at $26,090)
The LXS adds push-button start, remote start, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and leather-wrapped shift knob to the LX content.
Also standard is Kia’s Drive Wise suite of driver aids. Among them are blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning with emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-following assist, and high-beam assist.
Adding the $1,175 destination fee to the LXS base price totals $27,265. Financing that amount with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to a monthly payment of $490. See 2022 Kia Niro LXS models for sale near you
2022 Kia Niro LXS Includes:
- Push-button start – Allows the driver to engage the ignition with a push of a button.
- Remote start – Start the vehicle without being inside it to help cool off the car in summer or heat it in winter.
- Drive Wise – This is a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including forward-collision warning and emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and high-beam assist.
2022 Kia Niro LXS SE (Starting at $27,590)
The LXS SE builds on the LXS, adding a power sunroof, cloth seating with leather trim, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and rear park assist.
Adding the $1,175 destination fee to the LXS SE base price brings the total to $28,765. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to a monthly payment of $517. See 2022 Kia Niro LX SE models for sale near you
2022 Kia Niro LXS SE Includes:
- Power sunroof – Power-operated, this glass panel can be fully opened or tilted open.
- 10-way power driver’s seat – Including power lumbar adjustments, this power-operated seat also offers recline and height adjustments.
- Rear-park assist – Sensors on the rear bumper alert the driver when the vehicle closes in on an object while in reverse.
2022 Kia Niro Touring SE (Starting at 29,890)
For some reason, the Touring SE loses rear-park assist but adds 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, and LED taillights.
The other upgrades are adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, faux-leather seating, and a wireless phone charger.
To the Drive Wise list, the Touring SE adds Highway Driving Assist and Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control-Curve.
Adding the $1,175 destination fee to the Touring SE base price brings the total to $31,065. Financing this amount with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to a monthly payment of $558. See 2022 Kia Niro Touring SE models for sale near you
2022 Kia Niro Touring SE Includes:
- Harman Kardon audio – This 8-speaker system includes a subwoofer and HK’s Clari-Fi audio rebuilding technology.
- Wireless phone charger – Recharge any Qi-enabled smartphone without a cable.
- Highway Driving Assist – Kia’s semi-autonomous system helps drivers steer and brake the vehicle.
2022 Kia Niro EX Premium (Starting at $31,990)
Rear-park assist is back as an EX Premium standard feature, but the 18-inch wheels on the Touring SE vanish in favor of 16-inch ones. Other additions include heated/ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a cargo cover, and auto up/down on both front windows.
Adding the $1,175 destination fee to the EX Premium base price totals $31,165. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $560 per month. See 2022 Kia Niro EX Premium models for sale near you
2022 Kia Niro EX Premium Includes:
- Heated/ventilated front seats – They warm you in winter and cool you in summer.
- Heated steering wheel – Keeps your fingers from going numb in the winter.
- Rear-park assist – Sensors on the rear bumper alert the driver when the vehicle closes in on an object while in reverse.
