The 2023 Kia Niro hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) gets completely remade this year. It arrives looking like a cross between a small SUV and a compact hatchback. In truth, it’s both. The Niro offers impressive fuel economy and range, with an EPA-estimated 53 mpg combined when riding on 16-inch wheels and tires (or 49 mpg combined when fitted with 18-inch wheels).
Price is also a Niro strong point, in line with most competitors and significantly lower than its plug-in and EV Niro cousins (reviewed separately). This grouping includes small hybrid sedans such as the Honda Insight and Hyundai Elantra Hybrid.
Those looking for a more SUV-like option might look to the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid or Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. Both offer a feature unavailable on the Niro: all-wheel drive (AWD).
All Niro hybrid configurations are front-wheel drive (FWD) only. The Corolla Cross and Tucson hybrids have significantly more horsepower than the Niro but don’t get as good fuel economy. And only the Tucson Hybrid can match the Niro’s impressively long 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Niro LX
Starts at $26,590 | See listings
- Woven cloth upholstery
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Power side mirrors with heat
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- 6-speaker audio system
- Five USB ports
- Forward collision avoidance
- Blind-spot monitor/rear cross-traffic alert
- See more
Niro EX
Starts at $29,190 | See listings
- SynTex and cloth seat upholstery
- 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation
- Power driver’s seat
- Heated front seats
- Nav-based smart cruise control
- Roof rails
- Heated power side mirrors with turn signals
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Smart key
- Rear a/c vents
- Ambient interior lighting
- Highway Driving Assist
- See more
Niro EX Touring
Starts at $31,490 | See listings
- SynTex and cloth seat upholstery
- Sunroof
- Gloss-black rear spoiler
- Heated power-folding side mirrors with turn signals
- LED fog lights
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED interior lighting
- Alloy pedal covers
- See more
Niro SX
Starts at $32,590 | See listings
- Perforated SynTex seat upholstery
- Heated power driver’s seat with memory
- Heated steering wheel
- Sound-absorbing front window glass
- Smart power tailgate
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- 7-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
- Digital Key
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- See more
Niro SX Touring
Starts at $34,890 | See listings
- LED projector headlights
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Alloy pedal covers
- See more
2023 Kia Niro LX: $26,590
The Niro LX uses a 1.6-liter gas engine paired with an electric motor and a small battery pack producing a combined 139 horsepower. That’s enough power to move the Niro at a respectable rate on par with most cars in its class.
The Niro retains a traditional geared 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), which we think performs better than the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) found in many of its rivals.
An 11-gallon fuel tank isn’t large, but it doesn’t need to be, given the Niro’s exceptional fuel economy. It can travel more than 500 miles between fill-ups.
Kia prices the LX to lure in budget-minded buyers, which isn’t hard to do once you see the many standard features included at this price.
Kia’s Drive Wise driver-assist technology — included on the LX — contains forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic detection with braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.
Also onboard are traffic sign recognition, lead vehicle departure alert, a rearview monitor, automatic high-beam headlights, and systems that warn exiting passengers of danger from approaching traffic and remind the driver to check the rear seat before leaving the vehicle.
The LX rides on 16-inch wheels and has auto on/off projector beam headlights, power heated side mirrors, a heated windshield, remote keyless entry, dark-tinted rear privacy glass, and a rear roof spoiler.
One of the more prominent styling elements is the dog-leg-shaped “Aero Blade” that runs along the rear roof pillar. The blade design routes air underneath and thus improves aerodynamics.
The Niro’s cabin includes a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with cruise, audio, and Bluetooth phone controls. It also features a physical ignition key, power windows with driver’s side 1-touch auto down, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Comfortable cloth covers the LX’s seats, which include height-adjustable 6-way manual front seats and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.
Along with the 4.3-inch digital instrument cluster display, the 2023 Kia Niro LX touts an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 6-speaker audio system, and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There are two USB-A ports and one USB-C port in the front console. Two USB-A charge ports are mounted on the front seatbacks for rear-seat passengers.
Sliding sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors are also unexpected but welcome.
With the $1,325 delivery charge, the 2023 Kia Niro LX costs $27,915. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $527. See 2023 Kia Niro LX models for sale near you
2023 Kia Niro LX includes:
- Drive Wise – Kia’s comprehensive suite of driver assists includes many systems that are optional or unavailable on competitor base models.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto – No need to worry about bringing along the correct USB cable to connect your phone. Just sync it with Niro’s infotainment system, and you’re good to go.
- Heated side mirrors – Heating elements behind the side mirror glass turn on with the rear defroster, helping negate ice and snow buildup.
2023 Kia Niro EX: $29,190
We’d suggest the EX trim if you can swing the roughly $2,600 extra. It offers many more features and upgrades, making it a better choice for buyers watching the bottom line.
Building off the LX, the EX adds roof rails, side mirror LED turn signals, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, and Kia’s Smart Key proximity key fob with a push-button start. With Smart Key, you need only touch the door handle to lock or unlock the doors.
However, the most noticeable difference between the EX and LX resides inside the cabin. The EX upgrades with a wireless charging pad, rear air vents, ambient interior mood lighting, vegan leather and cloth upholstery, a vegan leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and a 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar adjustment.
The EX gets a larger 10.25-inch infotainment color touchscreen with navigation, voice control, Kia Connect apps, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Regrettably, this upgrade employs a “two steps forward, one step back” logic, as it jettisons the wireless function for the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Adaptive cruise control with a stop/go feature replaces the LX’s standard cruise control and adds Highway Driving Assist that helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane, even on curving highways.
The EX adds cyclist detection to the forward collision warning and Junction Turning Detection. Junction Turning alerts the driver if making an unsafe left turn across oncoming traffic. It will even apply the brakes if it senses a possible collision.
The only option package for the EX is a dual-level adjustable rear cargo floor.
With the $1,325 delivery charge, the 2023 Kia Niro EX costs $30,515. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $576. See 2023 Kia Niro EX models for sale near you
2023 Kia Niro EX includes:
- Adaptive cruise control – When engaged, this advanced cruise control system maintains a safe distance from the traffic ahead, bringing the car to a complete stop and then resuming speed once traffic begins to move.
- 10-way power driver’s seat – Provides more adjustment possibilities to help the driver find a comfortable position. The seat’s 2-way power lumbar is a bonus for those needing better lower back support.
- Navigation – Built into the infotainment system, the EX’s voice-activated navigation can get you anywhere you need to go. Because it relies on GPS satellites and not cell phone towers, you’ll never have to worry about finding direction while driving through remote areas.
2023 Kia Niro EX Touring: $31,490
The EX Touring adds a sportier look to the EX trim, with 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome window surrounds and front skid plate, gloss black wheel arch moldings and side sills, plus a gloss black rear roof spoiler and mirror caps.
The Touring has power folding side mirrors, a power sunroof, and LED fog lights. Its interior gains LED lighting and aluminum sport pedals.
With the $1,325 delivery charge, the 2023 Kia Niro EX Touring costs $32,815. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $619. See 2023 Kia Niro EX Touring models for sale near you
2023 Kia Niro EX Touring includes:
- 18-inch wheels – These stylish big wheels give the Niro a more substantial look. Unfortunately, they reduce fuel economy by a few miles per gallon.
- Power sunroof – The sliding glass panel allows more light into the cabin or fresh air when vented or fully opened.
- Power folding mirrors – Power-folding side mirrors tuck away, making it easier to squeeze the Niro into tight spaces.
2023 Kia Niro SX: $32,590
The SX trim gives the Niro a more distinctive personality, offering stylish options like a gloss black Aero Blade over CityScape Green or Mineral Blue paint.
Building off the EX, the SX adds sound-insulating front door glass, a Smart power liftgate, and front parking sensors.
Amenities include a 7-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, driver’s seat memory, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and perforated vegan leather upholstery.
Kia Digital Key comes standard, allowing your phone to act as a key to unlock and drive the Niro. The app can be sent to family or friends via text message, giving them access to the Niro even if you’re on vacation 3,000 miles away.
With the $1,325 delivery charge, the 2023 Kia Niro SX costs $33,915. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $640. See 2023 Kia Niro SX models for sale near you
2023 Kia Niro SX includes:
- Harman Kardon audio – This audio system is leaps and bounds above the stock 6-speaker system. This surround-sound system features seven Harman Kardon speakers, a 315-watt amp, and a powered subwoofer.
- Ventilated front seats – These seats use small electric fans to circulate cool air throughout the seat, helping to keep occupants cool and dry on hot days.
- Heated steering wheel – Quickly warms the steering wheel rim, making it comfortable to grip after freezing overnight temperatures.
2023 Kia Niro SX Touring: $34,890
There’s not much daylight between the SX and SX Touring. The two trims are nearly identical, with the SX Touring adding LED projector headlights and 18-inch gloss black machine-finished alloy wheels.
With the $1,325 delivery charge, the 2023 Kia Niro SX Touring costs $36,215. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $683. See 2023 Kia Niro SX Touring models for sale near you
I don’t know about the 2023, but the 2024 Kia Niro does have options, meaning you can get an EX with cold weather package for heated steering wheel.