2019 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCalvin KimVehicle Test Engineer

　　Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　

What's new

The Kia Niro PHEV carries over into 2019 unchangedPart of the first Niro Plug-In Hybrid generation introduced for 2018

　　An electric vehicle can work out great if you know where and how far you'll be driving every day. But sometimes you might also want the flexibility to take long trips. If that's the case, the 2019 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid could be the answer. It combines the benefits of an electric-powered commute with the extended range of a hybrid.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded and $0.17 per kWh for electricity in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$74/mo  for Niro Plug-In Hybrid LX

　　Niro Plug-In Hybrid LX

　　LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6AM) (Most Popular) - $28,500 MSRPEX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6AM) - $32,100 MSRPEX Premium 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6AM) - $35,200 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　The Plug-In Hybrid is nearly identical to the regular hybrid Niro. The main difference is its larger battery pack. It allows for up to 26 miles on electric-only power and can be recharged using an external power source. After those 26 miles, the Plug-In drives just like the standard Niro and averages 46 mpg combined.

　　Some of the Niro's advantages include its SUV-like styling and interior appointments. It's comfortable and easy to get in and out of, and the interior functions are easy to use. In fact, the Niro Plug-In comes fairly well-equipped right off the lot, with excellent smartphone integration technology, standard driver assist features and, of course, Kia's excellent standard warranty.

　　But the Niro PHEV also shares some of the regular Niro's weaknesses. While it has a roomy enough rear seat, the cargo area is small. And just what is the Niro? With only 1 more inch of ground clearance than an Optima sedan and no option for all-wheel drive, the Niro is really just a tall hatchback instead of a crossover SUV that Kia markets it as.

　　There are a few other plug-in hybrids to consider. The Chevrolet Volt and the Honda Clarity Plug-In provide about double the all-electric range than the Niro, for instance. There's also the Mini Countryman S E Hybrid, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, all of which more fully deliver on the promise of a plug-in crossover SUV. Overall, however, we think you'll find the Niro's mix of attributes appealing.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid as one of zzdcar' Cheapest Electric Cars and Cheapest Electric Cars for 2020.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

6.9 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid LX (1.6L inline-4 plug-in hybrid | 6-speed automatic | FWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	6.9 / 10
Driving	6.0
Comfort	7.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	6.5
Technology	7.5

　　

Driving

6.0

　　The Niro has accurate steering and confident handling, but its powertrain lacks power and smoothness. The engine comes on frequently in EV mode, indicating the system isn't sophisticated or powerful enough to run without it. We wish regenerative braking was more aggressive, too.

　　

Acceleration

5.5

　　There's enough oomph for little more than congested city traffic. The Niro is tepid on faster roads, giving you few options for merging and making short freeway on-ramps stressful. Sport mode helps by working the engine harder but runs contrary to the economically minded nature of the vehicle.

　　

Braking

6.0

　　The brake pedal is pleasingly linear most of the time, and the Niro switches from regenerative to mechanical braking almost imperceptibly. It's far less precise under heavy braking, however. It can be abrupt when you're coming to a complete stop, making low-speed driving more annoying than it should be.

　　

Steering

7.0

　　A pleasingly accurate and nicely weighted steering wheel gives the Niro a sensation of directness and responsiveness. On-center stability on the freeway is good, too. The Niro isn't enthusiastic by any stretch, but it means you can navigate through tight areas or curvy roads with confidence.

　　

Handling

7.5

　　The SUV-like proportions make you expect an SUV-like experience, but the Niro handles like the car it actually is. It's planted and confident through turns, though not particularly fun. You won't notice many shortcomings while navigating freeway ramps or winding roads.

　　

Drivability

5.5

　　The Niro lacks the smoothness we expect. Its six-speed automatic shifts lazily and makes us yearn for the smoothness of a continuously variable automatic transmission. The electric motor isn't powerful enough for moderate acceleration, so you'll have to get used to running the engine even in EV mode.

　　

Off-road

4.0

　　Kia may call it an SUV, but the Niro doesn't have the appropriate ground clearance of a real SUV and is not available with all-wheel drive. Its off-road capabilities are no stronger than those of other fuel-efficient hatchbacks.

　　

Comfort

7.0

　　The Niro's soft seats and smooth ride provide a good amount of comfort for daily commuting. The climate controls are effective but frequently require the engine to start. When the engine does fire up, it revs like there's a teenager at the wheel.

　　

Seat comfort

7.0

　　The LX's seats have nice padding and comfortably soft headrests. Lumbar support is available on higher trim levels (along with leather, heating and ventilation), but the standard seats have enough support for most people.

　　

Ride comfort

7.0

　　The Niro elicits no complaints. With small-diameter wheels and a car-like ride height, the Niro absorbs most rough parts of the road. You won't mistake the ride for anything luxurious, but you wouldn't call it rough or brittle either.

　　

Noise & vibration

6.0

　　When the engine starts, it sounds like someone's revving to show off to friends. Wind and road noise is especially apparent in the EV mode. When the engine is running, the Niro is pleasingly quiet with wind and road noise noticeable but not prevalent. Interior rattles and squeaks are minimal, too.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　The standard dual-zone climate control is effective enough that you can set it and forget it. The Niro regularly starts its engine to power the system, which can be surprising when you're in EV mode. A driver-only switch lessens the workload of the system at the expense of some of its effectiveness.

　　

Interior

8.0

　　The tall roof and SUV-like shape bring a range of benefits to the cabin including added headroom, visibility and ease of access. A simple and clearly labeled dash and entertainment system make for easy operation. Alas, like many compact cars, you wouldn't want to sit three adults in the rear.

　　

Ease of use

9.0

　　The interior layout is straightforward, and all major controls are clearly labeled and easy to find. The touchscreen interface has a short learning curve, and the digital display in the gauge cluster is easy to read. It's hard to think of ways to make it simpler without removing features.

　　

Getting in/getting out

9.0

　　Interior access benefits from the Niro's SUV-like proportions. The tall doors open wide, but they aren't so big that you can't operate them in a tight parking lot. The opening is easy to step into for most adults, and you only have to sit down slightly to find the seat.

　　

Driving position

7.5

　　A tall ceiling means plenty of room for tall drivers. The base seats lack height adjustment, but the dash sits low enough that it shouldn't be a problem for most owners. A standard tilt-and-telescoping steering column has a wide range of adjustment, and the gauges fall easily within view.

　　

Roominess

7.5

　　The tall roof provides plenty of headroom for all passengers. Legroom is decent for both rows, but rear passengers might feel constricted if there are taller people up front. The flat floor makes the rear seat seem roomier, but it gets tight with three people back there.

　　

Visibility

8.0

　　Even with the raked front roof pillars, forward visibility is pretty good. The thick rear pillars create a bit of a blind spot when you're looking over your shoulder. But the view directly rearward is decent and relatively unobstructed by the rear headrests.

　　

Quality

6.0

　　Every part of the interior fits together well, but many of the plastics look and feel hard. The gray color scheme highlights these parts in an unflattering way, making them look cheap. Buttons and armrests — the parts you interact with regularly — have an appropriate quality for the price.

　　

Utility

6.5

　　The Niro doesn't have the same amount of space or storage solutions as the compact SUVs it's trying to emulate. The same is true when you compare it to hatchbacks. Still, it fares well versus traditional sedans and has enough space for the needs of most small families.

　　

Small-item storage

6.5

　　A pocket ahead of the shifter can hold a small phone, while two cupholders and a cubby behind can be used for other personal items. There is average storage space under the front armrest. The door pockets, which are on the narrow side, will hold a 16-ounce water bottle and a couple of other small items.

　　

Cargo space

6.0

　　The 60/40-split rear seats fold almost flat, and doing so opens 54.5 cubic feet of storage space. There's 19.4 cubic feet available with the seats up, which is adequate but a little less than other hatchbacks and SUVs. Underfloor storage space is taken up by the charging cable.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

6.5

　　The lower LATCH anchors hide between the seat cushions but aren't too deep. Some connectors may be more difficult to secure than others with this setup. It's easy to find a pair of seatback anchors without having to contort your arm. Longer car seats can entail moving the front seat forward.

　　

Technology

7.5

　　The Niro is strong on the technology front, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included as standard equipment and a host of available advanced safety systems that aren't even offered on some cars above its class. The Uvo navigation system could use a design update but functions well.

　　

Audio & navigation

6.0

　　The base Niro uses a 7-inch entertainment display. It looks small and lacks navigation, and the standard six-speaker stereo is adequate. The only way to obtain navigation and an upgraded stereo is to opt for the highest trim level.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.0

　　Support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay comes on all trim levels, so you really don't need navigation. There is one USB port per row of seats and two 12-volt outlets up front. Wireless charging is only available on the highest trim level.

　　

Driver aids

7.5

　　Adaptive cruise control does a good job of maintaining distance from the car ahead, but it relinquishes control when you're about to stop, so you have to be ready to take over. You occasionally notice the lane-keeping assist system nudging the steering wheel.

　　

Voice control

9.0

　　Native voice controls are available for navigation, radio, phone and even Google search (if equipped). The prompts are straightforward, and voice recognition works pretty well. When using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, the voice control button activates the respective voice recognition system, which is how it should work.

　　

Which Niro Plug-In Hybrid does zzdcar recommend?

　　Although it's tempting to get the fully loaded EX Premium trim, we think the value lies in the standard EX. It has many features that will improve the ownership experience such as driver assist functions, excellent smartphone integration and heated seats.

　　

2019 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid models

　　The 2019 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid is available in three trims. It starts off with the LX, which comes with a nice set of features, including a 7-inch touchscreen display and many advanced driver safety aids. The EX provides more convenience-oriented and safety features, while the top EX Premium adds luxury items such as leather upholstery and premium audio. All three trims are powered by the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid electric powertrain (139 horsepower, 195 pound-feet combined output) that sends power to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Note that the regular Niro Hybrid is reviewed separately.

　　The base LX comes standard with 16-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, 60/40-split folding rear seats, keyless entry and push-button start, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. Also standard are a 7-inch infotainment display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, two USB ports, and a four-speaker sound system with satellite radio. Also standard are a rearview camera, front collision warning and mitigation with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

　　Next up is the EX trim level that adds xenon headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear air vents, leather and cloth upholstery, additional adjustments for the driver's seat, and heated front seats. The EX Premium also has LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a bigger driver information display, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 110-volt power outlet, a Harman Kardon eight-speaker sound system, a wireless phone charger, and ventilated front seats.

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2019 Niro Plug-In Hybrid Highlights

Trim: LXEXEX PremiumLX

　　

Base MSRP	$28,500
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,000
Engine Type	Plug-in hybrid
EPA Electric Range	26 miles
Combined MPGe (Electric + Gas)	105 MPGeMPGe is the official metric that the EPA uses to measure the efficiency of alternative-fuel (including electric) vehicles. Just like regular MPG shows how far a car will travel on one gallon of gas, MPGe shows how far a vehicle will drive on 33.7kWh of electricity - the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Combined MPGe is the combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe.
Cost to Drive	$74/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	2.3 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles