2023 Kia Niro First Drive Review: One little SUV, three electrified flavors | Autoblog

ENCINITAS, Calif. – The timing couldn’t presumably be higher for an all-new, next-generation 2023 Kia Niro. The recipe is simply the identical because it was beforehand: a small crossover SUV supplied with a alternative of hybrid, plug-in hybrid or all-electric powertrains. Yet the market setting has dramatically modified. The demand for electrified SUVs, together with ones made by Kia, has been pushed skyward by hovering gasoline costs, growing environmental consciousness and higher merchandise. At the identical time, demand for hybrid vehicles has diminished, opening the door additional for what was as soon as an oddball within the phase.

In truth, the previous-generation Niro loved its finest gross sales final 12 months regardless of its superior age and looking out awfully frumpy in comparison with the remainder of Kia’s smooth SUV fleet. The new styling alone must be sufficient to maintain these fortunes ascendant. The PHEV and HEV differ barely from the EV (be aware its nose-like, middle cost door), however the widespread mixture of slender higher grille slit, LED lighting cluster and bigger decrease grille create a cool, streamlined look. There’s extra tastefully utilized LED lighting on the rear, together with the brand new high-mounted taillights that bracket the Niro’s most notable styling aspect: the Aero Blade. It can be obtainable in gloss black or physique colour within the PHEV and HEV, whereas the Niro EV will get the selection of Steel Grey (pictured) or black. The expanse of decrease trim is normally gloss black, except for the EV, which is eligible for the silver trim seen within the under images. Kia had not introduced the precise mixtures of exterior paint, blade colour and trim degree on the time of this writing.

Thankfully, the remainder of the up to date Niro’s specs can be found to peruse. It’s barely larger, for one, with an additional 2.5 inches of total size and practically an inch of wheelbase added. That means the Niro is mainly the identical size because the Kia Seltos, however has a again seat that’s really nearer to the newly enlarged 2023 Sportage that strains the definition of “compact.” On paper at the very least, the Niro now has a much bigger again seat than the Kia EV6 – that’s exhausting to consider in particular person, however on the very least, a 6-foot-3 passenger might sit behind his personal driver seat place. It’s positively airier again there, and visibility normally is superior.

The cargo area expands by 4 cubic-feet, however remains to be lower than the entire above Kia SUVs. The Niro EV and HEV supply a most of twenty-two.8 cubic toes behind the again seat when using the decrease cargo flooring place, whereas the PHEV has solely 19.4 cubic toes for the reason that combo of massive battery and gasoline tank eliminates that decrease cargo flooring place.

The 2023 Kia Niro hybrid powertrain is mainly carried over from earlier than. It is as soon as once more a mix of a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated inline-four (not like the Sportage’s turbo) and a 43-horsepower electrical motor built-in with a six-speed dual-clutch automated guide transmission. Every Niro is front-wheel-drive. Total system output is identical 139 hp and 195 pound-feet of torque as earlier than, although a decrease curb weight seemingly contributes to the 0-62-mph time being lowered from a glacial 11.5 seconds to a snail-like 10.4. The battery additionally packs extra vitality, and most significantly, the 2023 Niro hybrid is extra environment friendly. Estimated gasoline financial system is 53 mpg metropolis, 54 mpg freeway and 53 mpg mixed within the LX, EX and SX trims, and 53/45/49 with the EX Touring and SX Touring. The previous Niro topped out at 50 mixed or 43 on ritzier trims. If you’re questioning, most variations of the Prius return 52 mixed.

Like different Kia/Hyundai hybrids, this one advantages from a geared transmission that makes it really feel much more regular to drive than something with one among Toyota’s CVT-like hybrid transmissions. It’ll even preserve a decrease gear for an prolonged time frame while you pull on a paddle shifter. The electrical motor is at all times current while you lay into the throttle, offering easy electrical torque and minimizing how a lot you hear the fairly thrashy small-displacement inline-four.

The Niro PHEV takes that fundamental powertrain setup, however provides a extra highly effective motor – 83 hp, which isn’t solely better than the HEV’s however 23 hp greater than the previous-generation PHEV. This helps shave just a few extra ticks off that 0-62 time (9.6 or 9.8 seconds relying on trim degree) regardless of a much bigger, heavier battery. It’s full of 11.1 kWh of juice versus the HEV’s 1.56 kWh and the previous-generation PHEV’s 8.9 kWh. A full cost yields an EPA-estimated 33 miles (versus 26 final 12 months), which will be replenished in lower than 3 hours utilizing a 240-volt outlet.

We solely acquired a short style of the PHEV and, due to the logistics concerned with first drive occasions (we doubt you care), can’t report the way it drives in all-electric mode. With the electrical vary at 0, it unsurprisingly drove just like the hybrid. With vary left, the gasoline engine will nonetheless kick on must you lay on the throttle because it does within the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. It would behave more often than not as an EV, although, which means the Niro PHEV is an effective alternative for these with quick commutes and and not using a second-car various for longer street journeys (though the smaller cargo capability places a damper on that).

Now, the 2023 Kia Niro EV does have a spread estimate of 253 miles, which exceeds many pricier EVs. It’s 6 miles higher than its closest competitor, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, and significantly better than the 232-mile Standard Range EV6. It’s 50 miles lower than the Long Range RWD EV6, however the larger deal is that the Niro lacks the EV6’s state-of-the-art charging capabilities. It tops out at a most charging functionality of 85 kW, which can be higher than a Bolt’s 68 kWh, however is dwarfed by the EV6 Standard Range at 180 kW and Long Range at a blistering 240 kW. For perspective, the quickest you’ll be able to recharge a Niro from 10-80% is 45 minutes. That’s higher than earlier than, however the EV6 can get it accomplished in 18. Admittedly, that’s with a uncommon 350-kW cost station, however nonetheless, you’re going to be out of that Walmart car parking zone sooner with an EV6 than you’re in a Niro EV.

OK, sufficient with the technobabble.

The Niro EV doesn’t have that accelerative snap you get with extra highly effective EVs, however there’s nonetheless greater than sufficient low- and mid-range punch for these “buh-bye” moments on freeway on-ramps or when passing to slingshot away from pokier site visitors. It appears like a fast automotive even when its 0-60 time of seven.8 seconds isn’t going to wow anybody (the single-motor EV6 Wind is just good for 7.2 seconds, by the best way). Engineers appeared to have restricted the quantity of torque immediately obtainable from a cease, which helps forestall torque steer, however gunning the throttle mid-corner will nonetheless make the wheel tug a bit.

The Niro EV additionally feels considerably smaller and extra agile than the EV6, which appears to be like sporty, however in the end appears like a giant, heavy cruiser. Popping the Niro in Sport mode sharpens throttle response and tightens the steering a smidgen, simply sufficient to place a smile in your face. The remainder of the time, it’s the kind of easy operator you anticipate from commuter EV, though the quantity of inside noise is certainly extra in line with a Bolt than an EV6, Ioniq 5 or Mach-E.

The Niro hybrid just isn’t surprisingly essentially the most playful of the bunch because it weighs the least, and it positive appears like you might coax some lift-throttle oversteer out of it in the event you had been feeling frisky. None of the Niros possess steering price writing house about, and will definitely use extra suggestions, but it surely’s reassuring sufficient on middle. There had been no points detected with trip high quality, both, little question helped by the actual fact each Niro rides on 16-, 17- or 18-inch wheels relying on powertrain and trim degree. Yay sidewall.

The electrified powertrains aren’t the one earth-friendly issues in regards to the Niro as the inside boasts quite a few newfangled eco supplies. The headliner is fabricated from recycled wallpaper (under proper), which comprises 56% reused polyester fibers. That’s good to listen to, as a result of it in any other case appears to be like a bit low cost and feels even cheaper. The door panels are coated in a paint free from benzene, toluene and xylene isomers (BTX-free), which minimizes environmental impression and waste. The seats are coated by a bio-polyurethane and Tencel materials made out of eucalyptus leaves. Hopefully a koala wasn’t starved to make it. The ensuing upholstery appears to be like like a mixture of cloth and leather-based, however is in actual fact 100% vinyl … or no matter. Ultimately, it appears to be like and feels nicer than a variety of the faux leather-based stuff on the market.

The remainder of the cabin advantages from the assorted controls and interfaces that trickle down from elsewhere within the Kia lineup. Indeed, the ensuing total look is finest described as a less complicated, extra budget-conscience model of the EV6 cabin. Everything we’ve mentioned in regards to the glorious, user-friendly 10.25-inch touchscreens within the EV6 and Sportage additionally apply when present in higher Niro trim ranges. The accompanying 10.25-inch all-digital instrument panel options completely different design choices – the PHEV and Hybrid appear to share their very-digital designs with the Sorento PHEV, whereas the Niro EV shares the Sportage Hybrid’s collection of analog-look gauges. All of Kia’s newest driver help tech can also be obtainable, together with the top-of-the-line Highway Driving Assistant II that features partially automated lane adjustments. Just faucet the flip sign, preserve a finger on the wheel and the automotive will do the remaining. Of course, the Bolt EUV is out there with Super Cruise, however the variations aren’t that nice.

The similar virtually definitely can’t be mentioned for value, and though we don’t have figures for all variations, it positive appears problematic. The outgoing ’22 Kia Niro EV began at $41,285, together with vacation spot, whereas the 2023 Bolt EUV begins at $28,195. The new Niro EV positive looks as if the higher, extra interesting automobile, however not by that a lot if the worth stays comparable. Oh, and the Inflation Reduction Act applies (for now) a cool $7,500 rebate to the Bolt whereas taking it away from the Niro. A conspiracy theorist would possibly say that Kia is ready to see if trade and diplomatic stress can alter the implementation of the brand new guidelines, as a result of pricing for the 2023 Niro EV was conspicuously not supplied in the course of the first drive occasion. If the rebates go away and the Niro EV will get dearer as each new automotive is apt to do, then it’s a tough option to justify over a Bolt. There’s additionally the matter of how shut it will get to the larger, extra superior EV6 that begins at both $42,115 (Standard battery) or $48,215 (Long-Range RWD).

It would clearly be greater than the PHEV, which begins on the EX trim degree with a value of $35,035, or $4,750 better than the bottom Sportage PHEV trim degree, the X-Line. The loaded Niro PHEV SX Touring has an MSRP of $40,785, or $3,500 greater than the top-of-the-line plug-in Sportage. That feels about proper, however not so the hybrid. Its pricing is an actual head-scratcher. The base LX hybrid begins at $27,785, together with vacation spot, which is just $800 lower than a base Sportage Hybrid LX. Our loaded SX Prestige tester stickered at $36,435, which is just $1,500 lower than a loaded Sportage Hybrid. Maybe we’re simply Kia realistically pricing the Niro in mild of supplier markups on the Sportage, however nonetheless. There’s no method the hole between the 2 must be that tight. 

So pricing could possibly be an incredible large iceberg or an equally large query mark, and both method, it lingers over what’s in any other case an interesting little automotive completely suited to at this time’s tastes and traits. We want we might give it a ringing endorsement, however there’s an excessive amount of up within the air.

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