At the heart of the Niro is a compact 1.6L 4-cylinder gasoline engine producing 104 horsepower. This engine alone would make the Niro a poor performer, but luckily there is an electric motor as well helping to motivate the vehicle. Combined with the electric motor, the Niro produces 139 horsepower and a very robust 195 foot-pounds of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a 6-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. Unlike most other hybrids, which use a continuously variable transmission, the Kia's dual clutch unit helps provide strong acceleration at the cost of a slight penalty to fuel economy. The tradeoff is worth it; the Niro doesn't feel anchored to the ground like some other hybrids, while still returning up to 50 mpg in combined city and highway driving in its most basic form.
The Kia Niro comes in five trims, LX, LXS, LXS SE, Touring SE and EX Premium. The base LX trim has fewer amenities than its siblings but still comes with all the notable features one would expect in a compact car or SUV these days. Standard features include an 8-inch color touch screen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, steering wheel mounted controls for the sound system and cruise control, two USB input jack, power windows and door locks, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic temperature control, power external mirrors and 16-inch wheels.
The LXS trim primarily adds auto-high beam and a push-button start system. Meanwhile, the LXS SE trim builds on the LXS by offering cloth and leather seating trim, a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat with 2-way power lumbar support and an HD radio. The Touring SE has everything the LXS SE has plus a 10.25-inch voice activated upgraded navigation infotainment, GPS linked cruise control, SiriusXM Traffic and a Harman Kardon sound system,
The top-of-the-line EX Premium trim gets a power sunroof, full leatherette seating, projector beam headlights, wireless phone charger, heated steering wheel and heated/ventilated front seats.
Standard safety items on the Niro includes anti-lock brakes, front seat belts pretensioners, stability control, brake assist system, a bevy of airbags and a hill start control system. The LXS, LXS SE, Touring SE and EX Premium trims all add a Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW), Pedestrian Detection and a Driver Attention Warning (DAW) system.
For 2022, the Kia Niro returns with minor changes, the LXS SE trim replaces last year's Touring trim and there was a minor shuffling of features among the trims.
The Niro competes with other small SUVs and crossover vehicles such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. The Niro won't break the bank, while still offering far better mileage than any of its competitors. Like all Kia's, the Niro comes standard with all the basics one would expect from a compact car and at the other end of the spectrum, the Niro is positively loaded with the kind of items that were only sold in luxury cars a few years ago.
