What sort of car is the 2023 Kia Niro? What does it evaluate to?

The redesigned 2023 Kia Niro is a hatchback marketed as a small crossover that seats 5 in a pinch. Bought as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or battery electrical car, the Niro affords an environment friendly powertrain for purchasers all alongside the inexperienced spectrum. The associated Hyundai Ioniq now not comes as a BEV, and Toyota has hybrid and plug-in hybrid variations of the Prius and RAV4, however not a full electrical model. 

Is the 2023 Kia Niro an excellent SUV?

Assessment continues under

The second-generation Niro appears to have improved on most issues that weighed down its predecessor’s TCC Ranking of 5.7 out of 10. (Learn extra about how we price vehicles.) Particularly, it’s stronger for U.S. crash assessments, it’s bigger inside and outside, it’s completed much less like a price range automobile and extra like a mainstream automobile, all three fashions can be found nationwide, the EV has a 253-mile vary, and computerized emergency braking, in addition to many different driver-assist options, lastly come customary. 

What’s new for the 2023 Kia Niro?

Nearly every little thing improves on the subsequent iteration of the Kia Niro, which first launched within the U.S. for the 2017 mannequin 12 months. Quite a bit has modified in automotive know-how up to now six years, and the Niro embraces the newest and biggest, from improved vary and larger effectivity, to the newest tech, comfort, and security options. Probably the most noticeable change arrives with its daring new design.

Kia swaps out its standard if not frequent small crossover physique for a extra distinctive model, from its jagged gentle signature to its bigger accessible 18-inch wheels and distinctive, bulging D-pillar. Taking inspiration from Kia’s 2019 HabaNiro idea, which earns reward on its dad pun alone, the physique above the rear wheels flexes out in a Okay-shape with out the straight line. The taillights wrap across the kink into the built-in rear roof spoiler, and the rear doorways look like barely recessed into the kink. Relying on the mannequin, the bulge can mix in as the identical coloration as the remainder of the physique, or it stands out much more in two-tone choices. Thick black rocker panels on the decrease doorways bridge the design to the entrance and rear bumpers. It’s in contrast to every other automobile, which is praiseworthy, but it may be muted with one coloration to look extra like a assured if not cutting-edge crossover. Kia says it aids air stream, and everyone knows it’s all in regards to the stream today, hair, air, or in any other case. 

The inside flows much more, borrowing upscale touches from the premium EV6 electrical crossover. The arcing sprint stretches horizontally to make it really feel wider and roomier inside, and a big accessible 10.3-inch touchscreen blends into an equally massive digital instrument cluster beneath one pane of glass that curves towards the motive force. A skinny line of vents and local weather management buttons underscore the width, and a spokeless steering wheel additional exaggerates the large and low vibe. 

The vibe stays environment friendly on the 2023 Niro and its three electrified powertrains, which all boast effectivity beneficial properties of their front-wheel-drive setups. The Niro HEV hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter inline-4 with a 32-kw electrical motor to provide 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Don’t count on a lot gusto, however count on to go far with a focused EPA score of 53 mpg mixed, which is at the least 3 mpg higher than the outgoing mannequin.

The Niro PHEV one-ups the hybrid with the identical engine paired to a 62-kw motor that’s juiced by an 11.1-kwh lithium-ion polymer battery. Output will increase to 180 hp and 195 lb-ft, and the electrical vary will increase from 26 miles within the outgoing mannequin to 33 miles when the 2023 Niro is fitted with 16-inch wheels. 

Each the hybrid and plug-in hybrid use a 6-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission. 

The 2023 Niro EV additionally improves, from a 239-mile EPA vary to an estimated 253 miles. The 64.8-kwh battery connects to a 150-kw motor that drives the entrance wheels and makes 201 hp. On DC fast-charging at a max price of 85 kw, it could actually recharge from 10 to 80% in 45 minutes; on a Stage 2 240-volt charger it takes about seven hours, Kia stated. Certainly there are extra highly effective EVs, however the Niro guarantees to be environment friendly. A warmth pump is non-obligatory, however regen braking comes customary. 

The effectivity beneficial properties seem extra spectacular with the 2023 Niro’s bigger proportions. At 174 inches lengthy, it’s 2.5 inches longer than its predecessor and its wheelbase is an inch longer. Kia didn’t disclose full specs, but it surely guarantees to be roomier in back and front, and the cargo quantity behind the rear seats will increase from 19.4 cubic ft to 22.8. Kia says the inside is completed in sustainable supplies reminiscent of recycled wallpaper for the headliner and seat upholstery produced from eucalyptus leaves.

One factor holding again the outdated Niro was a four-star security score from the NHTSA and an absence of ordinary driver-assist options. Crash-test outcomes are pending, however Kia equips the 2023 Niro with computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lively lane management, blind-spot displays, a safe-exit monitor so that you don’t open the door right into a bike owner or car, and a rear occupant alert system. Elective driver-assist options embrace adaptive cruise management, amongst others. 

How a lot does the 2023 Kia Niro price?

Kia didn’t disclose pricing or customary options on the brand new Niro, besides that wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are customary and USB ports are set conveniently within the entrance seat sides. Choices embrace heated and cooled entrance seats, power-folding aspect mirrors, wi-fi cellphone charging, a head-up show, ambient lighting, Harman Kardon sound, and a digital key for distant entry to the automobile by a smartphone. 

The place is the 2023 Kia Niro made?

In South Korea.