Kia Offers a New Electrified Niro Trio For 2023

The Kia Niro has long been a somewhat under-appreciated small crossover—perhaps because its wagon-like looks were anathema in a crossover-crazy market. But thanks to a complete redesign, the 2023 Kia Niro is a larger, more useful small utility vehicle deserving of more consideration than past Niros.

Since its introduction as a 2017 model in the U.S. the Niro lineup has started with a conventional hybrid. A plug-in hybrid followed in 2018, and a fully electric model in 2019. All three powertrains are offered for 2023, the Niro’s second generation. Each comes in several trim levels, giving consumers an abundant catalog to ponder. 

Despite the re-do for 2023, the Niro remains a small vehicle. It is roomy for four, but a squeeze for five adults. It is smaller inside than most potential competitors—hybrid crossovers such as the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 and fully electric crosses including the Chevrolet Bolt EUV and Volkswagen ID.4. It boasts almost the same interior volume as the Toyota Prius and is larger inside than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. Hyundai’s Kona EV— although smaller in almost every dimension than the Niro EV—might also be in some shoppers’ competitive set. 

All versions of the 2023 Niro have the same measurements and passenger and cargo capacities and all come only with front-wheel drive. But there are three distinct electrified powertrains, giving shoppers a trio of choices to make when it comes to oomph, fuel economy, green credentials and range between fueling stops.

Ho-Hum Hybrid

For those who don’t need three rows of seating or performance that’s anywhere north of adequate, the 2023 Niro Hybrid, or HEV, is a good choice.

It uses a 1.6-liter gas engine assisted by a 32 kilowatt (43 hp) electric motor-generator and working together, they produce 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque—same as in the first generation Hybrid and less than any of the competition. The hybrid’s battery isn’t big, just 1.3 kWh, but when charged (via regenerative braking and power from the generator) it can deliver enough juice to facilitate a few miles of all-electric driving at low speeds. 

The Niro Hybrid will get you where you want to go: It can travel up to 588 miles on 11.1 gallons of regular gasoline when equipped with 16-inch wheels; 545 miles in trims with 18-inch wheels.  

It won’t be an enthusiast’s ride. Suspension is biased toward comfort —which it delivers—and though the six-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission helps make the most of the Hybrid’s puny power output, it still takes an eternity—well, 10.4 seconds, according to Kia—to lumber from a stop to 62 mph.  

The basic hybrid does offer a heck of a deal at the gas pump, though, delivering an EPA-estimated 53 mpg in combined city and highway driving on 16-inch alloys. That’s a 3 mpg improvement from 2022. Hybrid trims equipped with 18-inch wheels look a little sportier but the combined efficiency rating drops to 49 mpg. Those numbers put the Hybrid second in its class, trailing only the perennial fuel-efficiency champ, the Prius, with up to 56 mpg combined.

More PHEV Power, Range

The plug-in hybrid, or PHEV, uses the same gas engine and transmission as the standard hybrid but gets a heftier electric motor and a larger, more powerful battery. The system can deliver up to 33 miles of all-electric range, up from 26 miles thanks to improved aerodynamics and an 11.1 kWh battery that’s almost 25% bigger than last year’s 8.9 kWh battery.  

The PHEV’s output, 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, represents a 29% improvement from the 2022 PHEV’s 139 hp. It is the only one of the three Niro powertrains to get a power boost with the 2023 redesign.

The plug-in hybrid’s extra oomph—zero to 62 mph in 9.6 seconds—makes for a more pleasing drive, free from concern about merging, passing and climbing steep hills and, with the extra weight of the battery, actually fun to throw into curves and twisties at speed.

Total gas and electric range for the 2023 PHEV is 253 miles and Kia says its battery can be recharged in under 3 hours on a Level 2 (240-volt home or workplace) charger. Drivers who still aren’t ready for full electric should find the new PHEV a satisfying choice.  

Activating ‘Green Mode’

Both the PHEV and Hybrid’s upper trims have a special “Green Zone” mode that automatically activates their EV-only modes in school and hospital zones and residential districts. The Niro uses its navigation system—standard except in the Hybrid LX trim—to identify the zones.

Other drive modes for the Hybrid and PHEV are Eco, which tones down accelerator pedal response and heating and air conditioner performance, and Sport, which quickens accelerator response and ever-so-slightly tightens braking and steering response. The EV gets an additional  “normal” mode that splits the difference between Eco and Sport on accelerator and brake response.

The Full EV Experience

The Niro really comes into its own as a fully electric model. The 64.8 kWh battery pack is mounted below the floor for a low center of gravity, balance shifts rearward—weight distribution in the EV is 55% to the front and 45% to the rear. (It shifts 40% to the rear in the PHEV and 39% rearward in the Hybrid.)

That weight shift, the low center of gravity and the EV powertrain’s 201 ponies and 293 pound-feet of instantaneously available torque combine to deliver a spirited driving experience and a quiet, comfortable and responsive drive at all times. The extra weight at the rear helps keep the back wheels from losing grip—punch the accelerator and the Niro EV actually squats down on its rear haunches; the two hybrids stay relatively flat at all times. Kia estimates the EV’s zero-to-62 mph time at 7.6 seconds, substantially quicker than the two hybrids.

The 2023 EV can deliver up to 253 miles on a fully charged battery, 14 miles more than its predecessor. Potential rivals include the Bolt EUV, which is rated at 247 miles, the ID.4, rated at 229 miles, and the Nissan Leaf with 62 kWh battery, rated up to 226 miles.  

The Niro EV’s battery will take about 7 hours to refill from empty on a Level 2 system and can get a quick top-off on a DC fast-charger, replenishing to 80% from 10% in as little as 45 minutes.

New Insides 

All three version of the 2023 Niro have similar interior design, a fresh look for the second generation with a curving, horizontally mounted glass-fronted panel housing driver information and infotainment screens, a plethora of recycled and sustainable materials including “vegan leather” upholstery with materials from eucalyptus leaves and a headliner made from recycled wallpaper. 

The EV is the best-equipped of the three with goodies including 10.25-inch driver information and infotainment screens; heated, thin-profile front seats; dual-zone climate control system; power adjustable driver’s seat; wireless phone charging; a Harmon Kardon sound system; ambient lighting and a slew of advance safety and driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control with full stop-and-go function. There’s also an optional head-up display. 

The hybrids get smaller 4.3-inch driver information displays and rather old-fashioned “T” handle shifters. Wired Apple CarPlay and Android auto are standard on all three versions. 

In all there are plenty of pockets and cubbies for interior storage, although using the two cupholders in the center console pretty much eliminates the largest bin’s storage capacity. There also are physical controls for the audio and climate control system (it’s the same split-use system in the EV6 and Sportage)  as well as for driving modes, seat heaters and lighting functions.

The Niro also has nearly class-leading rear legroom, although its three-passenger rear seat is really only fit for two. Among potential competitors only the CR-V Hybrid has more space. The Niro also has more front legroom than the RAV4, CR-V and ID.4, front headroom bested only by the slightly taller Leaf and rear headroom that matches the roomy RAV4 and beats the rest of the competition.  

Inside it is more competitive with nearly as much total cargo area (that’s measured with the back seats folded down) as the RAV4, almost as much as the ID.4 and Corolla Cross and more than the Escape, Bolt EUV, Leaf and Prius.

About That Aero Blade

Outside, the 2023 Niro looks pretty much like other modern small crossovers, with styling inspired by a 2019 concept, the HabaNiro. There’s LED lighting all-around, including the boomerang-shaped taillights and the almost square headlights that now sit much lower on the front end. Kia’s designers didn’t hold back when it came to black cladding to emphasize the SUV-ness of the new Niro.

Some won’t be bothered by the new Niro’s most distinguishing character: a rear quarter panel fashioned into a contrast-colored “aero blade.” But some will find it visually annoying. Unless ordered with body-color paint, which Kia says is possible, the blade’s vertical swatch of contrasting color tends to chop the Niro’s profile into pieces and leaves the rear end hanging out in an unlovely fashion.

Defending the panel, Kia says it helps improve fuel efficiency, its functional vent funneling air that flows along the side into a focused stream that slips past the back end without tumbling and creating drag.  

How Much Does the 2023 Kia Niro Cost? When Will It Be Available?

The 2023 Niro Hybrid, available in three trim levels, two with an optional Touring package, starts at $27,785 (including destination) for the base LX, an $1,800 increase. The EX starts at $30,385 and the SX at $33,785. The appearance-oriented Touring package for the EX and SX trims is a $2,300 option. 

Kia has priced the 2023 Niro PHEV to start at $35,035 for the EX trim. The SX Touring starts at $40,785. The LXS trim, which was the base PHEV for the 2022 model year, has been dropped while the new SX trim replaces the EX Premium as the top-of-the-line for the Hybrid and PHEV lineups.

Pricing for the two-trim Niro EV starts at around $40,745 for the base Wind trim, jumping to $45,745 for the more upscale Wave trim. The nature-based naming convention started with the introduction of the larger and sportier Kia EV6. Niro EV pricing puts it close to the EV6’s lower trim levels. But Kia’s marketing gurus figure the newer EV6 will appeal to those seeking a racier look and performance-oriented handling and ride quality while the Niro EV will be for those who prefer a more traditional crossover look and a ride that favors comfort over driving engagement.

The Hybrid is available now, while the PHEV and all-electric models should start arriving at dealerships by early November.

Although Forbes Wheels sometimes participates in manufacturer-hosted events, our coverage is independent, unbiased and aimed at offering consumers an objective view of every vehicle we test.