2021 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid Review

　　

2021 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Kia offers three versions of its Niro, and all are meant to provide fuel-efficient driving and lots of features at a low cost. There's the regular Niro, which is a hybrid, and the Niro Plug-In Hybrid — which is, as its name suggests, a plug-in hybrid — and then the full-electric Niro EV.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid LXS 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 LXS

　　Niro Plug-In Hybrid LXS

　　LXS 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6AM) - $29,590 MSRPEX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6AM) - $33,390 MSRPEX Premium 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6AM) (Most Popular) - $36,550 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　The Niro Plug-In Hybrid can be a nice introduction to the electrified world. It has a bigger hybrid battery than the regular Niro and is capable of driving the vehicle under full electric power for a short distance. After that, the Niro Plug-In switches over to the gasoline engine for normal hybrid operation. It offers an EPA-estimated 26 miles of electric range, can be recharged at home on a 110- or 240-volt outlet, and still gets 46 mpg even if you never use the all-electric power.

　　To learn more about the ins and outs of the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, check out our Expert Rating below. And if you're interested in other relatively inexpensive plug-in hybrids, be sure to look into the efficient Prius Prime or the new Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid that can go 37 miles on a charge. Subaru also makes a plug-in version of its Crosstrek SUV that has standard all-wheel drive and extra ground clearance and increased off-road capability.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　6.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.0/10

　　How does the Niro Plug-In Hybrid drive? The Niro has accurate steering and confident handling, but its powertrain lacks power and smoothness. There's decent enough power around town, but the Niro feels sluggish on the highway or in fast-moving traffic. The engine comes on frequently in EV mode, indicating the system isn't sophisticated or powerful enough to run without it, hurting the Niro's overall economy.

　　We'd prefer stronger regenerative braking too. Coming to a complete stop can feel abrupt since the brakes lack some refinement. That makes low-speed city driving more annoying than it should be. The Niro also lacks the smoothness of other EVs because of its slow-shifting transmission.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Niro Plug-In Hybrid? The Niro's soft seats and smooth ride provide a good amount of comfort for daily commuting. Adjustable lumbar support is available on higher trims (along with leather, heating and ventilation). The Niro absorbs most bumps on rough roads, smoothing out the ride.

　　The standard dual-zone climate control is effective. But the Niro regularly starts its engine to power the system, which can be surprising when you're in EV mode. The amount of wind and road noise is typical for a small non-luxury car.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The tall roof from the SUV-style shape brings a range of benefits. There's plenty of headroom, for instance, and visibility is great. The tall doors open wide enough to make it easy to get in and out but aren't so large to make tight parking spaces an issue. The opening is easy to step into for most adults, and you only have to sit down slightly to find the seat. Rear legroom is adequate for adults.

　　The Niro's 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.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The standard entertainment display isn't big, but it does come with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. A larger screen is optional and includes integrated navigation.

　　For the most part, the Niro's driver safety systems work well. The traffic-adaptive cruise control system does a good job of maintaining distance from the car ahead. The lane-keeping assist system, however, can be a little intrusive when it nudges the steering to keep you in your lane.

　　

Storage

6.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Niro doesn't have the same amount of space or storage solutions as the small SUVs it's trying to emulate. Still, it fares well against traditional plug-in hybrid sedans and has enough space for typical shopping needs or short road trips.

　　Planning on using child safety seats? The lower car seat anchors are hidden between the rear seat cushions. Some connectors might be more difficult to secure than others with this setup. The seatback tether anchors are pretty easy to reach. As for space, you'll probably have to slide the front seats forward if you want to install a bulky rear-facing seat.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Our Niro test car consistently delivered 26 miles of EV range and surpassed its 46 mpg EPA combined city/highway estimate. We averaged 56 mpg over the course of 300-plus miles. But Niro Plug-In Hybrid's reliance on the engine to drive the climate controls means you'll probably see dramatically lower numbers if you live in a region with extreme temperatures.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Niro Plug-In Hybrid a good value? The Niro Plug-In Hybrid costs more than the standard Niro. Even with the higher fuel economy, it'll take a long time to make up the difference in price between the two models in gas savings alone.

　　The interior is a bit bland and many of the plastics look and feel cheap, though it all fits together well. Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty is among the industry's best.

　　

Wildcard

5.5/10

　　Eking out the last few miles of all-electric power can make the drive a little more interesting, but there's little else to entertain you. The driving experience isn't bad, just unmemorable. The weak engine means it's not quite as fun or peppy around town as other vehicles in this class.

　　Though the SUV-style design is functional, the wannabe SUV designation leaves a bad taste in your mouth. It lacks any real benefit you'll find in a proper SUV such as ground clearance or all-wheel drive. It feels a bit disingenuous.

　　

Which Niro Plug-In Hybrid does zzdcar recommend?

We'd put our money down on the midlevel EX. For not much more money than the base trim, you get desirable features such as a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, a wireless phone charger and adaptive cruise control.

　　

2021 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid models

The 2021 Niro Plug-In Hybrid is available in three trim levels: LXS, EX and EX Premium. All three trims come with a plug-in hybrid system that's good for 139 horsepower. The EPA estimates it'll be good for 26 miles of electric range and 46 mpg in combined driving once the hybrid battery is depleted. Feature highlights include:

　　LXS

　　Standard features on this base trim level include:

　　Dual-zone climate control Keyless entry and ignition with remote start 8-inch touchscreen Four-speaker sound system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity) Lane keeping assist (steers the Niro back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued) Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)EX

　　The midgrade EX trim adds:

　　Power-adjustable driver's seat Leather seats with cloth inserts Cargo cover Heated front seats Wireless phone charger Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Niro and the car in front) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)EX Premium

　　The top-range EX Premium model comes with:

　　LED headlights Sunroof Auto-dimming rearview mirror Heated and ventilated front seats Heated steering wheel Integrated navigation system 10.25-inch touchscreen display (deletes the wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) Eight-speaker premium audio system

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2021 Niro Plug-In Hybrid Highlights

Trim: LXSEXEX PremiumLXS

　　

Base MSRP	$29,590
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,400
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