2019 Kia Niro hybrid

The parallel hybrid powertrain of Niro integrates electric power for outstanding efficiency. The cabin is handsomely designed and comes with intuitive technology and premium features. Kia Niro's price falls squarely in line with Honda HR-V, Buick Encore, and Subaru Crosstrek. While other manufacturers offer all-wheel-drive as an option Kia makes up for it with stellar fuel economy.

The 2019 Kia Niro is a five-passenger hatchback available in five trims which are priced as follows:

• FE: $24,430
• LX: $24,740
• EX: $27,240
• S Touring: $29,640
• Touring: $33,090

Every variant is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid-electric powertrain which produces 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The power is transmitted to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Kia offers best in class warranty like its kin Hyundai and provides a comprehensive warranty.

• The limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• Hybrid components are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

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Each trim of the Niro offers an above-average value for your money. The EX will probably be the biggest seller, and we believe it offers the best value. It allows for the same driver-assist safety features and options as the Touring and can be outfitted with most of the Touring's standard features such as the Harman Kardon audio, heated and ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, HID headlights and navigation.

'The Niro has a decent amount of power for most daily commutes, but some reviewers note that acceleration can be slow. It’s paired with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is a rarity among hybrid and electric vehicles. Reviewers applaud Kia's decision to include this transmission, which delivers natural shifts while retaining fuel efficiency. However, some reviewers note that the shifts could be smoother" - Autotrader

Kia Niro produces a total of 139 hp, the 1.4 liter inline 4 gasoline engine produces the most of it and the 8.5 kW electric motor assists by pumping out 43 hp. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive is the only option. Niro has enough grunt for day to day driving but it cannot be termed as sporty. The Kia Niro can solely drive on electric power at the push of a button.

The six-speed dual-clutch automatic optimizes the engine’s responsiveness for enhanced acceleration and better fuel economy. The standard mode leads to longer shift time and moderate engine performance. The Kia Niro also has a sport mode which makes the transmission snappier and holds on to gears longer. Even though it doesn't make a substantial difference in the performance, it is still there.

The Subaru Crosstrek produces the highest number of horses and after that comes the Honda HRV. Kia Niro and Buick Encore produce a somewhat equal amount of horsepower. The Niro surpasses all of the rivals in terms and provides seamless power delivery. In terms of torque, the Niro produces the most thanks to its electric motor. The Honda HR-V pumps out the least amount of torque mainly due to its CVT transmission. 

Acceleration

The Kia Niro in FE, LX, and EX trim can sprint to 60 mph from standstill in just 8.6 seconds. Top trims take a second longer due to their extra weight and bigger wheels. The Niro’s 1.56-kWh hybrid powertrain is so small that most of the task in moving 3,200-pound hatchback is done by the gasoline engine.

The Buick Encore provides the fastest acceleration and Kia Niro tails behind it. The Subaru Crosstrek and Honda HRV clock the same time in reaching 0 to 60. More peculiarly, HR-V crosses quarter-mile neck-to-neck with Niro despite being almost a second slower than Niro from 0 to 60.

Ride and Handling

The Kia Niro is powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline engine which produces a total of 139 hp in conjunction with an electric motor. The power is adequate for city jaunts and highway passes. You can choose between two drive modes, which can alter throttle response and engine performance. Standard mode optimizes fuel efficiency or opt for Sports mode for an enthusiastic drive. The chassis is made with high-tensile strength steel alloys to help improve rigidity for great driving dynamics and a quiet ride.

In terms of handling the Kia Niro performs surprisingly well with a swift and accurate response. With no dead zones the steering firms up in sports mode. There is little sway when taking a turn due to the electric motor's battery being stowed under the second-row seat which makes Niro well-planted. This little crossover easily tackles mild terrains but there is some noise that peeps into the cabin. Wind noise is effectively muted sound-insulating windshield glass and noise-absorbing insulation throughout the vehicle ensures a compliant ride.

Braking

The brake pedal feels light and it travels a long way in case of panic braking. You will never notice how the Niro transitions from regenerative braking to conventional braking. The Niro requires 129 feet to stop from 60 mph which is below average for this segment. Overall, the brake feels solid and the anti-lock braking system doesn't feel intrusive either.

The Buick Encore has the best braking performance in contrast to all the rivals. The Buick takes 119 feet to come to a complete halt from 60 miles an hour. The Mazda CX-3 takes the longest in doing the same task. The Subaru performs better than the Mazda even though it is heavier. 

The Kia Niro is designed to use the best of both worlds, the gasoline engine and electric motor work together for optimum fuel economy. The engine has been specifically developed for a hybrid employing Atkinson cycle and Cooled EGR technology for maximizing efficiency. The entry-level FE is most fuel efficient and returns 52 miles per gallon in the city and 49 mpg on the highway. The two midlevel LX and EX come in at 51 mpg city/46 mpg hwy. The most expensive Touring variant returns 46 mpg city/40 mpg hwy. 

Regardless of the trim, the Kia Niro outclasses all of them in terms of fuel efficiency. It will be the best bang for your bucks if fuel budget is your concern. The Mazda performs the best out of the rest returning 29 miles to the gallon in city and 34 miles to the gallon on the highway. In terms of range as well, the Subaru is the best of the rest.

"A number of years ago, Kia’s interior design went from frumpy to fantastic, and the cabin of the 2019 Kia Niro is one of the finest in its class. The design is clean and simple with an upscale feel and high-quality materials. The layout is intuitive, and all of the controls work with precision" - Kellybluebook

Seating and Comfort

The inside of the Kia Niro is intelligently designed with smart features to be as welcoming to you as possible. The cabin is fuss-free, simple and minimalistic. All the buttons are laid out in a proper manner and make everything easy to use. Leather-wrapped steering wheel and a bright meter cluster make driving this car a joy.

The spacious inside is adorned with ultra-comfortable leather seats available in contrast stitching. The sporty 10-way power-adjustable driver seat lets you find your ideal driving position with ease. The rear seats can accommodate 3 people but not for a long journey. The front and rear seats offer great headroom and legroom with commanding outward visibility.

The HR-V has a lot of interior room, including the most rear-seat legroom of the group and the largest rear cargo compartment. Buick Encore has the smallest amount of cabin space due to its compact dimensions. Subaru Crosstrek is also spacious from the inside.

Infotainment System

When it comes to looks, the infotainment screen might not be the most pleasing but when it comes to performance and user experience, there’s not a lot left to be desired. The 7’’ screen is really impressive. The screen is vibrant and snappy to use. The menus are well laid out in a simple manner. What comes with that 7-inch screen is a 6 speaker audio system. As for smartphone integration- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on every trim except the LX. The base trim is equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. Satellite navigation is not available on any of the trims as standard and maybe some old-school state maps might come in handy.

The optional navigation system uses GPS data to predict the geographical location. It pre-charges before going uphill and employs regenerative braking on downhill sections. Steering mounted control to make it easy to adjust your audio and use cruise control. It comes equipped with the following amenities:

• Android Auto and Apple Carplay
• Sirius XM radio
• Bluetooth Audio
• Aux Input
• Satellite Navigation (optional)
• Voice recognition
• Real-time traffic alert
• Integrated roof antenna
• 6 speaker sound system

Cargo Capacity

The Kia Niro offers 19 .4 cubic feet of storage seat which can be increased to 54.5 via 60/40 rear folding seats. You can expand the cargo area when needed and still accommodate rear passengers. The cargo space is enough for your groceries, camping gear, dogs or all of them. Niro’s hybrid battery takes a considerable amount of space but optional underfloor storage adds a bit more utility. The comparatively low load height makes it very easy to load and unload cargo. The rear seats also fold down completely flat which makes it very easy to push the cargo towards the front.

When compared to other vehicles in this group, the Kia Niro fares decently at most. The Honda HR-V offers the most cargo volume in this bunch whereas the Mazda CX-3 is the last with a disappointing 12.4 cubic feet of cargo volume. 

Interior Features

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Remote keyless entry
• Cruise control
• Dual zone front automatic climate control
• Illuminated glove box
• Leather wrapped shift knob
• Auto dimming rearview mirror
• Front armrest and rear center armrest
• Air filtration
• Power adjustable seats
• Engine immobilizer

“The handsome Niro fits right in with its squat crossover pals. You’d never guess that a gas-sipping hybrid is lurking under its skin.” – Car and Driver

Dimension and Weight

The Kia Niro is designed to thrill, it looks much like a grown up hatchback than a crossover. Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille is distinctive with a lower grille hiding various sensors. A wide variety of detailing like body cladding, roof rails, rear skid plate, and large wheel arches befit its crossover tag. The stance is sporty with short front and rear overhangs.

To get the maximum fuel efficiency the exterior is optimized for the lowest drag coefficient (0.29) which is close to the Nissan GTR (0.26). The front air splitters a channels air through them to the neatly designed 19-inch alloy wheels. For maximum aerodynamic efficiency, active grille shutters close at around 35 mph to smooth the airflow In the rear, the available combination LED tail lamp gives a striking appearance to Kia Niro.

The Honda HR-V has the lowest curb weight which accounts for better driving dynamics and that comes to the Kia Niro. The Subaru Crosstrek cast the longest shadow and Buick Encore is the smallest among all due to which it has the shortest turning radius.

Exterior Features

• 16” inch alloy wheels
• Clear coat paint
• Body-colored front and rear bumper
• Black body side molding
• Chrome side window trims
• Body-colored door handles
• Power heated side mirrors
• Variable intermittent wipers
• Lip spoiler
• Liftgate rear cargo access
• Roof rack rail

Even the best drivers can’t be perfect 100% of the time and for those times, the Kia Niro is equipped with a ton of safety features. These features and equipment help in making your journey a whole lot safer.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• UVO eServices 911 Connect Emergency Sos
• Blind Spot Detection (BSD) w/Lane Change Assist (LCA) Blind Spot Sensor
• and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Driver Knee Airbag
• Rear Child Safety Locks
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc Rear Center 3 Point, Height Adjusters and Pretensioners

Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V is among the top rated crossover as it comes with best in class passenger and cargo space. The Honda HR-V is the most practical subcompact SUV with generous cargo capacity, great balance of ride and handling and plenty of interior features. Although the HR-V is very fuel efficient for a conventional crossover, the Niro is hybrid and has a definite edge in fuel efficiency. However, Niro also commands a significant premium over the competitor.    

Buick Encore

The Encore’s performance is however disappointing due to the sluggish acceleration with 134 –horsepower four-cylinder engine. Buick’s optional 153 hp engine is a substantial improvement. The Encore based on the same underpinnings as the Chevrolet Trax. It makes a case for itself as an in-between by outclassing subcompact crossovers from mainstream makers Honda and Nissan. With the Encore, you pay more, but you get more. Though its performance is not lively, the Encore has a comfortable ride and composed handling. Larger and more powerful than the Niro, the Rogue doesn't approach Kia's fuel economy, but if cargo hauling is a bigger concern than mpg, it's a solid choice.

Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek is all-wheel drive and has high ground clearance, unlike the Kia Niro. Surprisingly both have an identical amount of cargo capacity and interior space. The Subaru Crosstrek has an upscale interior, a ton of standard features, and decent off-road capability. However, it comes up short on cargo space and has mediocre overall performance. If you live off the tarmac then the Subaru will befit all your needs otherwise the Kia Niro is better to package allover.

The Kia Niro is a versatile package and offers the best value for your money. Unlike other hybrids, the Niro looks like a conventional subcompact crossover, it has excellent luggage capacity, spacious interiors, commanding driving position and spectacular fuel economy. Niro is attractively priced with a host of standard safety features. Niro is a good choice for buyers who want it all. Just as long as they don't want all-wheel drive, too, since the Niro doesn't offer it.

FAQs

Is the 2019 Kia Niro all-wheel-drive?

No, the Kia Niro is only available as front-wheel drive.

Does the Niro have heated seats?

Yes, heated front seats are available as paid options. 

How much can the Niro go on electric power alone?

The Kia Niro is capable of covering 26 miles on electric power alone. The overall range can go up to 560 miles along with the gasoline engine.