2021 Kia Niro Review

　　

2021 Kia Niro 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 When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Though styled to look like a little SUV, the Kia Niro is actually a fuel-efficient hybrid. It gets up to 50 mpg in combined city/highway driving, according to the EPA. This isn't quite as high as some rival hybrids, but it's still plenty good and will help you save on gas. We also like its nimble handling and roomy interior. For 2021, Kia has added wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a more advanced navigation-based cruise control system.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Kia Niro LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric 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 in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$75/mo  for Niro LX

　　Niro LX

　　LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) (Most Popular) - $24,690 MSRPLXS 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) - $26,090 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) - $28,390 MSRPTouring SE 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) - $30,950 MSRPEX Premium 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) - $32,950 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Hybrids are becoming better all the time, and the Niro's got some stiff competition. Toyota's Prius is the quintessential hybrid, and even offers all-wheel drive, while Honda's Insight stands out with its pleasing power and refinement. So should you get the Niro or something else? Read the categories of our Expert Rating below to help you find out.

　　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.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Niro drive? The Niro isn't going to thrill you. In our testing we measured 0-60 mph in 9.7 seconds. That's a tad slow but enough to get you where you're going. The dual-clutch automatic transmission is somewhat slow to shift, but it's smooth and jerk-free. We prefer it to the conventional continuously variable transmissions that most hybrids are equipped with.

　　The steering is direct and has an appropriate amount of heft to it, which makes it easy to maneuver the Niro on the highway or around a parking lot. Unfortunately, the steering is devoid of road feedback. That last part only matters because the Niro's handling is surprisingly nimble but less engaging because it lacks connection. Emergency-stopping performance is lackluster, but at least the brakes are relatively easy to control for smooth stops on your daily commute.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Niro? The Niro is pretty comfortable overall. The front seats feature optional heat and ventilation, a rarity in this class, and are supportive with firm cushioning. The rear seats are decently comfortable as well.

　　The Niro rides smoothly over most surfaces, making it a pleasant commuter. The cabin remains fairly quiet at highway speeds, though you'll likely hear the engine working hard when you accelerate with gusto. The dual-zone climate control system is simple to use and works effectively with rear vents helping to distribute airflow to backseat passengers.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Niro's interior is functional, and passenger space is excellent for a car of this class. The driver's seat has enough adjustability to accommodate a wide range of body types. Rear passengers will find the quarters to be pretty roomy, and all door openings are about as generous as it gets for this class.

　　Visibility is pretty good for the most part, but a larger rear window would help when backing up. Overall, the blind spots are minimal. The controls are clearly labeled, arranged logically and easy to use. The available 10.25-inch screen has crisp and easy-to-read graphics and is responsive to inputs. In higher trims there's also a large driver information display in the gauge cluster.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Bluetooth pairing is quick, and smartphones can be connected with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The voice controls are basic in functionality but work well. The available Harman Kardon audio system produces pleasing sound quality.

　　The navigation system is quick to respond and spreads across the widescreen for Apple CarPlay while Android Auto makes do with a split screen. We like that a number of advanced safety and driver aids come standard one trim up from the base. Adaptive cruise control worked well in our testing, as did all other safety functions. Our only complaint was the overly sensitive lane-keeping system.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Niro's rear cargo space has 19.4 cubic feet of space available behind the rear seats. That's a respectable amount of space, even though the Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq can hold a little more. It's easy to load cargo and the rear seats fold flat.

　　Up front, you'll find a decent number of places to store your small items. All four doors feature pockets and water bottle holders. The main cupholders can accommodate bigger cups and bottles too. The front cubby that houses the available wireless charger can hold larger phones but gets blocked by the gear shifter when you put it in park.

　　Got kids? We've found that it's pretty easy to install child safety seats thanks to the Niro's roomy rear seat and easily accessible seat anchors.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The base model Niro is the most efficient trim at an EPA-estimated 50 mpg combined (53 city/48 highway). Though undeniably frugal, it is near the bottom of the hybrid class that includes models such as the Prius and the Honda Insight. The midtier Touring gets the worst gas mileage at 43 mpg (46 city/40 highway) due to its larger 18-inch wheels. We weren't able to match the EPA estimates during our testing of a Niro EX Premium.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the Niro a good value? The Niro offers good value in this hybrid market. It might not be the cheapest model out there, but you get a lot for your money. And the Niro feels well built despite some drab interior surface plastics and a shiny black dash that's a bit of a smudge-magnet.

　　Kia's warranty is one of the best in class. It includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties. The hybrid battery also carries a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. Roadside assistance is provided for five years/60,000 miles.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　The Niro can prove to be kind of entertaining on twisty roads as long as you aren't expecting a lot of speed. It's effective and comfortable when in its element, which is primarily dealing with the daily commute, and its compact nature makes it easy to park and maneuver through traffic.

　　The Niro is more conservative in its styling than rivals, but it's also less polarizing. We appreciate the design for its simplicity and not trying to be something more radical than it is. But we also don't consider this an SUV — it's a hatchback.

　　

Which Niro does zzdcar recommend?

Of the five available trim levels, we like the Touring trim the best. It combines some nice features, such as adaptive cruise control and a power-adjustable driver's seat, without adding too much to the price tag. Just be aware that fuel economy is lower with this trim level (43 mpg combined).

　　

2021 Kia Niro models

The 2021 Kia Niro is a hatchback/small SUV available in five trim levels: LX, LXS, Touring, Touring Special Edition and EX Premium. Every Niro comes with a four-cylinder hybrid electric powertrain that's good for 139 horsepower. That power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Feature highlights for the Niro include:

　　LX

　　Starts off pretty basic with:

　　16-inch alloy wheels with wheel covers Tinted rear windows 60/40-split folding rear seats Dual-zone climate control 8-inch infotainment touchscreen Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with wireless connectivity Six-speaker audio system Keyless entryLXS

　　Adds some nice-to-have features as well as a few advanced driver aids, such as:

　　Uniquely styled 16-inch wheels Rear-seat center armrest Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob Proximity key with push-button start 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) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assist (steers the Niro back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)Touring

　　Includes a few extra features, such as:

　　18-inch alloy wheels Power-folding, heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals Cloth and leather combination upholstery LED interior lights Satellite and HD radio Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters Power-adjustable driver's seat Electronic parking brake Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Niro and the car in front down to a stop)Touring Special Edition

　　Available only in unique shades of light blue or orange, the Touring Special Edition further adds:

　　LED headlights Leather upholstery 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen (deletes wireless capabilities for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) Eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system More advanced navigation-based adaptive cruise control (can also react to traffic signs and set speed)EX Premium

　　The range-topping EX Premium doesn't include the Special Edition's LED headlights or unique paint. It also rides on 16-inch wheels. Otherwise, all other features are included, as are:

　　Heated steering wheel Heated and ventilated front seats Simulated leather upholstery Wireless charging pad Rear parking sensors Cargo cover (optional on all other models)

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2021 Niro Highlights

Trim: LXLXSTouringTouring SEEX PremiumLX

　　

Base MSRP	$24,690
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	50 MPG
Cost to Drive	$75/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles