LEUCADIA, Calif.—The Kia Niro is not a flashy automotive. It does not have a bizarre origin story like its stablemate, “the boar with a backpack.” There are not any sporty pretensions, nor designs on exploring Moab off the grid. Instead, it is simply been an inexpensive household crossover, quietly going about its approach as effectively as potential, with hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electrical automobile variations.

The Niro fills the decrease finish of Kia’s electrified choices within the US, and for mannequin 12 months 2023, there is a new second-generation Niro that is on sale. As earlier than, there are hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and BEV variations obtainable, and so they’ve truly even gotten just a little cheaper, a minimum of when you account for 4 years of inflation.

Kia’s design crew all the time offers its work fascinating names, and the Niro’s design philosophy is known as “Joy for Reason.” But in the event you did not discover the primary Niro offensive, you are unlikely to take action with the brand new one. Perhaps essentially the most notable characteristic is the contrasting part that runs behind the rear door alongside the D pillar. It’s not simply there for seems—it is a practical aeroblade that controls airflow on the rear of the automotive to attenuate drag and enhance effectivity, and it may be body-colored must you desire.

Inevitably, the Niro has grown just a little. But not lots—about two and a half inches longer at 174 inches (4,420 mm) from nostril to tail and about half an inch wider at 71.8 inches (1,824 mm). The wheelbase can also be stretched barely to 107.1 inches (2,720 mm) The crossover’s peak is unchanged at 60.8 inches (1,544 mm).

The Niro Hybrid

The least expensive Niro is the one with the smallest battery—the ‘common’ hybrid model. This begins at $26,490 for the Niro LX, however you’ll be able to spend as a lot as $34,790 on a Niro SX Touring with all of the bells and whistles.

The Niro hybrid is powered by a 1.6 L, four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine that generates 104 hp (77 kW) and 106 lb-ft (144 Nm), which works along with a 43 hp (32 kW), 125 lb-ft (170 Nm) everlasting magnet electrical motor, which is fed by a 1.3 kWh lithium-ion polymer traction battery. Together, they mix to present the Niro hybrid a complete of 139 hp (104 kW) and 195 lb-ft (265 Nm) on the highway, by way of a six-speed twin clutch transmission that drives the entrance wheels.

When fitted with the smallest wheels—on this case, 16-inch gadgets—the Niro hybrid is at its best, attaining an EPA ranking of 53 mpg (4.44 L/100km), which makes it one of the environment friendly non-plug-in vehicles from any automaker. Opt for the Touring bundle, which will increase the wheel measurement to 18 inches, and that dips to 49 mpg (4.8 L/100 km), a simple demonstration of the impact that bigger wheels have on drag and effectivity.

It’s even capable of detect the presence of issues like residential areas, faculty zones, and hospitals (by way of its GPS knowledge) and can change to EV mode at low pace to attenuate the quantity of air air pollution it emits round probably weak folks.

The Niro PHEV

Kia has simplified the plug-in hybrid Niro choices for 2023, dropping the extra minimalist LX so you’ll be able to decide from both the Niro PHEV EX ($33,740) or the Niro PHEV SX Touring ($39,490). The most notable specification change to the brand new Niro PHEV is a barely better traction battery capability—now up 2.2 kWh to 11.1 kWh. That equates to an all-electric vary of 33 miles (53 km), a 25 % bump on the outdated automotive.

Under the Niro PHEV’s hood is similar 1.6 L GDI engine and six-speed transmission because the hybrid, however the electrical motor is almost twice as highly effective, bringing 84 hp (62 kW) and 150 lb-ft (203 Nm) to the present, bringing total energy output to 180 hp (134 kW)—total torque stays the identical as within the Niro hybrid.

Charging time for the 11.1 kWh battery is about three hours on a degree 2 charger, and Kia quotes 108 mpge (3.2 miles/kWh or 19.4 kWh/100 km).