2023 Kia Niro Hybrid Assessment: Financial system With out Effort

Kia claims the Niro is a compact crossover, which appears extra a case of ambition than accuracy. It is mainly a mildly lifted hatchback, and that is no dangerous factor in terms of flexibility and practicality. The 22.8 cu-ft of cargo house behind the rear seats — increasing to 63.7 cu-ft with them dropped down — is instantly accessible over a reasonably low tailgate ground, which is greater than you possibly can say about many small SUVs.

From the entrance, the Niro jogs my memory of a pursed-lip little frog. All these horizontal traces and the headlamps with their droopy daytime working lights, plus the CityScape Inexperienced paint (unique to the SX and SX Touring trims). Sixteen-inch alloys are customary on the LX, EX, and SX, rising to 18-inch variations on EX Touring and SX Touring.

Facet-on, the very first thing you notice is the distinction D-pillar on the rear of the Niro: a chunky slab harking back to an orca’s swoop. It hides a practical air vent, aero to information airflow across the rear of the hybrid, but in addition helps visually disguise what’s really a reasonably chunky rear. Kia affords it in silver and black, although solely with sure paint finishes: in others, it matches the remainder of the physique.