The Kia Niro Hybrid trim list was big for 2021, and it is the same for the 2022 model year. The LX is the base trim, and then comes the LXS, Touring, Touring SE, and the EX Premium. All these trims can sound confusing with subtle upgrades, but the price increase is noticeable. The base LX starts from $24,690 and packs features like a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, cloth seats with manual adjustability, etc. 

There is only one engine option throughout the trims, and it comes in FWD configuration only. The SUV has an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Moving up in the trim list, the priciest among them is the EX Premium at $32,950. It packs a good set of upgraded features but is not worth the $2,000 extra over the Touring SE.

Which Trim should you buy?

Among the 5 trims on offer, the Touring trim has decent specs and is very much equipped with additional features for $28,390. It packs a satellite radio, leather seats, 8-way power-adjustable driver seat, 10-inch touchscreen infotainment display, etc. If you are on a budget, then the LXS would be a better choice than the base trim as it packs a lot of standard safety features. 

Release Date

The release date of the 2022 Kia Niro Hybrid is yet to be announced but we can expect the compact SUV to be on sale around the early months of 2022.

Similar to the outgoing model year, the 2022 Niro Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated Inline-4 engine and an AC electric motor which adds 43 horses and 125 pound-feet to the gas engine’s 104 horses and 109 lb-ft torque. Combined, they produce 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of maximum torque. All the power is sent through the front wheels only, which is slightly disappointing as a few of its competitors are offering AWD as standard. The transmission is taken care of by the 6-speed dual-clutch automatic system which offers smooth shifts and enhances drive quality.

If you are curious about the accelerations, well, the Niro is slow and struggles to overtake other cars on the highways. It can cover 0-60 mph in 9.5 seconds and completes a quarter of a mile in 17.2 seconds. Given the power figures, the acceleration timings are decent. The engine feels refined even when revving it hard. It is true that the Niro does not deliver the performance you expect but is a great compact SUV to make it run your errands.

In terms of raw engine power, Toyota wins by a huge margin and is followed by Ford. Kia and Subaru remain at the bottom of the competition, owing to their small and underpowered powertrains. The difference between the Subaru and Kia is minute despite the latter having a larger engine and an all-wheel-drive setup. When comparing the real-world performance figures, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid stands way ahead of its rivals with a 0-60 mph timing of 7.4 seconds.

The 2022 Kia Niro Hybrid makes a great comeback with its impressive fuel efficiency given that the engine produces mediocre power. The EPA has rated the same with up to a whopping 53 MPGe in the city, a decent 48 MPGe on the highways, and a combined economy of 50 MPGe. These numbers are impressive, and with an 11.9-gallon gas tank, the Niro delivers 595 miles in combined conditions before the low fuel indicator shows up. The hybrid powertrain shows its potential in the city limits with impressive results.

There is no doubt that the Niro Hybrid comes at the top when it comes to delivering unbeatable fuel economy and tank range. Both Toyota and Ford come next with almost similar results. The Subaru, though did not get any confirmed EPA ratings, delivers a lot less economy and that can be evident by the 35 MPG as the combined economy. When comparing the overall range of the vehicles, while the Niro outperforms the rivals, the least range will be provided by the Subaru since it offers unimpressive fuel economy along with the smallest fuel tank in the competition.

Kia has done a great job in making the cabin of the 2022 Niro Hybrid more innovative and minimal rather than overdoing it like a few of the competitors. The interior is made of cheap plastics even in the top trim, which is understandable considering its cheaper price tag. The dashboard looks bold in black attire and has both matte and shiny parts with red or silver linings dividing the upper and lower parts. The center has the 8.0-inch touchscreen display as standard. To the left, you will find a beautifully carved steering wheel that is leather-covered in the higher trims. It has loads of multimedia and cruise control buttons laid on the sides. 

The car has decent features even from the base trims but you can upgrade to higher trims for better features inside. The seats are cloth-wrapped as standard, and that changes to leather upon choosing higher trims. Nevertheless, the standard seats are decent and comfortable.

The cabin can accommodate up to 5 people without any issues and has enough room even in the rear row. The cargo capacity on offer is not the best but will do. At 19.4 cubic feet of space, a lot of luggage cannot be fitted, but if you are in a need of extra capacity, then the 60-40 split rear seats can increase it to 50.4 cubic feet of space.

The interior of the Ford Escape Hybrid comes well-balanced with class-leading rear legroom. The Niro and RAV4 Hybrid come next in line in terms of interior space on offer. The Crosstrek offers a more compact cabin space in the competition. Toyota leads the competition in providing the most cargo capacity at 37.6 cu ft, whereas the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid comes out to be the least practical option in the competition with a cargo space of just 15.9 cubic feet. Standout interior features include:

• Leather steering wheel with heating function
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 8-way power-adjustable driver seat
• Leather seats with multi-level heating for the front seats
• Heated and ventilated front seats

What’s there to keep you entertained?

As standard, the 2022 Kia Niro Hybrid comes with a few yet very important infotainment system features. You get an 8.0-inch touchscreen for toggling through menus and other functionalities. The screen is less cluttered and offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard since last year, which is a nice addition. 

Apart from these, you also get a 6-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, and auxiliary audio output. As you opt for the premium trims, you will get a more advanced infotainment system - Kia’s UVO system with a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen display for seamless connectivity. It also comes with navigation, voice recognition, and a lot more. Standout infotainment features include:

• 10.25-inch touchscreen display
• Fully digital driver information display
• UVO infotainment system
• 8-speaker Harman Kardon Premium audio unit
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
• USB and Bluetooth connectivity
• Navigation
• Satellite radio

The exterior styling of the 2022 Kia Niro is not dull. It has a sharp design language and looks modern with an unchanged exterior since its launch. The front has the angry-looking LED headlamps DRLs which are placed below instead of the foglights. The front grille looks sleek and gives a bold attire to the front fascia. The SUV comes with either 16 or 18-inch alloy wheels depending on the trim selection. It also comes with a sunroof as an optional add-on and is standard on the top trims. 

The 2022 Niro Hybrid weighs a lot less than the competition at 3,100 pounds and does have a compact feel on the exterior front, at least. It is just 171.5 inches long and is only 60.8 inches tall. The wheelbase is, however, on the same side as the competition, but the ground clearance is on the lower side at just 6.3 inches, meaning the Niro cannot go everywhere willingly like some of its competitors have the advantage of. Overall, the design of the Niro is attractive but is on the compact side if compared with its direct rivals.

Toyota and Ford are the bigger SUVs in the competition and are taller than the others. The Kia and Subaru hold the “compact” title seriously but share similar wheelbase dimensions, with the latter holding the most ground clearance, allowing it to go off-road without anyone asking questions. When comparing the curb weight of the compact SUVs in the competition, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the heaviest option at 3,775 lbs. Standout exterior highlights of the SUV are:

• LED headlamps, DRLs, and taillights
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Power and heated mirrors
• Optional sunroof
• Keyless entry

Since the SUV is still to be launched in the market, the safety agencies like NHTSA and IIHS have not tested the 2022 model. However, the 2021 Kia Niro Hybrid performed decently as it got an overall rating of 4 stars from the NHTSA, whereas the IIHS has given the compact a rating of 'Good' in every possible category. Apart from the structural strength, the compact SUV also comes with a wide range of safety to keep the passenger inside safe. Standout safety features include:

• Forward collision warning
• Pedestrian detection
• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear parking sensors
• Lane keep assist
• Lane change assist
• Driver drowsiness monitoring
• Adaptive cruise control

2022 Kia Niro Hybrid vs 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Holding a hefty price tag, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is better in a few things which can be neglected if you choose value over luxury. The RAV4 is more powerful and does come with a lot of interior features which are absent in the Niro Hybrid as standard. It also holds a slightly better cabin which is spacious. On the other hand, the Niro Hybrid rips off the competition with its fuel economy and stands out in terms of value. It all boils down to what you expect from your Hybrid vehicle. 

2022 Kia Niro Hybrid vs 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid

Similar to the RAV4, the 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid is everything the Niro isn’t and vice versa. The Escape turns out to be a better option in terms of cabin space, especially for the rear row. The Niro Hybrid comes cheaper, delivers better fuel economy, and has decent interior and safety features, especially the infotainment system, which is better in the Niro as standard than the Escape. 

2022 Kia Niro Hybrid vs 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

When comparing the two vehicles, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid comes with an added premium but there is no major difference between their performance and power output. However, the Crosstrek shows its worth by being capable of going off the tarmac, all thanks to its higher ground clearance and softer suspensions. The Niro is better at being a city vehicle with impressive mileage figures, a more comfortable cabin experience, and advanced safety features. 

The 2022 Kia Niro Hybrid serves as a great value compact SUV that ticks all the right components for it to stand out in the competition. It has lower performance but delivers impeccable fuel economy and packs decent interior and safety features as standard. The price makes it more practical for everyday use and that it holds minimal after-sales service costs makes it a cheap and reliable option in the competition.