2021 Kia Niro

Is the 2021 Kia Niro a good-looking car?

The 2021 Kia Niro would like you to think it’s a crossover, but it’s really not. Still, we like its chunky fender flares, its roof rails, and its proportions well enough to rate it at 6 out of 10.

The Niro doesn’t scream hybrid, even though it’s one of the thriftiest cars on the road. That works well for us, and it makes it more appealing to a wider swath of buyers than the Toyota Prius.

Inside, the Niro sports a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen and an optional 10.3-inch unit that’s brighter and sharper. Controls are easy enough to find, and Kia has put some effort into spicing up the design with expressive colors. 

Is the Kia Niro 4WD?

It may look like a mini-SUV, but the Kia Niro comes only with front-wheel drive. 

How fast is the Kia Niro?

Most Niros use a 1.6-liter inline-4 teamed to a 1.6-kwh battery and 43-hp electric motor for a combined output of 139 horsepower. It’s delivered through a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Plug-in hybrid versions toss in a bigger battery plus a power port for about 26 miles of electric-only range, enough for most commutes.

Our 4 out of 10 rating is derived from its so-so acceleration. No Niro is quick, but the 8.6-second 0-60 mph sprint is acceptable. The Niro does run out of steam for highway passing, even in Sport mode, though. 

Handling is unremarkable, though the ride is soft and comfortable. Pricier versions have bigger wheels that result in a little more chop to the ride, so try before you buy.

Braking, on the other hand, isn’t great. The calipers grab well enough, but pedal feel is vague and the regenerative braking system that adds power to the battery that would otherwise be wasted results in a lurchy feel at times. 

We rate the all-electric Niro EV separately. 

The crossover-like shape that helps the Kia Niro look more like an SUV than an economy car pays dividends inside. We rate it at 6 out of 10 on account of its good cargo capacity.

Passengers will find comfy seats up front and reasonable rear-seat leg room. Cloth seats are standard and leather is optional. 

The cargo area comes in at 20 cubic feet with the second row upright, and nearly 55 cubic feet with it flopped down. The low rear floor makes cargo loading a cinch. 

The Niro has a durable feel inside, though it’s hardly upscale even in top trims. 

How safe is the Kia Niro?

The 2021 Kia Niro has done well in most IIHS crash tests; the insurance-industry-funded group rates it as “Good” in each of its tests. 

But it doesn’t win a Top Safety Pick award because automatic emergency braking isn’t standard. You’ll have to step up to the LXS for that trim, which also includes blind-spot monitors and active lane control. A more advanced collision-avoidance system is included on Touring and higher trims, and it uses both a camera and a radar system to apply the brakes. 

Adaptive cruise control comes on EX Premiums Tourings. The system links to the navigation system when that feature is optioned up to slow the car automatically when it knows a curve is approaching. 

The NHTSA scores it at four stars overall. From our average score the Niro drops a point for the lack of standard automatic emergency braking and for that four-star rating, to come in at a 3.

Which Kia Niro should I buy?

First, you’ll need to decide if the plug-in hybrid version of the Niro suits your needs. If you’ve got a regular commute of under 26 miles, or a place to charge at work, it may eventually pay for itself.

Base standard Niro LX models cost about $26,000, while the LXS that comes standard with automatic emergency braking and a few other safety features runs about $27,300. The Niro LXS Plug-In starts at about $30,700, so budget accordingly.

The Touring tosses in partial leather upholstery, power adjustment for the driver’s seat, a larger digital display in the instrument cluster, a sunroof, and a few other niceties. It costs around $29,500. Another $2,200 buys the Touring Special Edition, which includes larger wheels, LED headlights, full leather seats, and a 10.3-inch touchscreen, though oddly it trades wireless smartphone compatibility for a system that requires iPhones and Androids to be plugged in. 

Confusingly, the Niro EX comes only in LXS, EX—equipped about like the Touring Special Edition—and EX Premium grades. 

Our money would be spent on the LXS or the Touring, both of which strike a good balance between features and value—plus wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are nice features. 

How much is a fully loaded 2021 Kia Niro?

A Niro EX Premium Plug-In costs just shy of $38,000, though the standard hybrid sibling is largely identical minus the plug and bigger battery for about $34,200.

Is the 2021 Kia Niro good on gas?

Absolutely. The 2021 Niro is one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market. We rate it at 8, a score topped only by some serious plug-in hybrids or electric cars.

That said, which Niro version you buy makes a big impact on fuel economy. 

The most frugal standard Niro Hybrid is the base LX, rated at 53 mpg city, 48 highway, 50 combined. The LXS comes close—and likely will be the same in real-world use—at 51/46/49 mpg.

But the Touring and Touring SE swap in 18-inch alloy wheels that dent fuel economy to 46/40/43 mpg. That’s a big difference.

The EX Premium, however, comes with the LXS’ smaller wheels and it’s rated at the same 51/46/49 mpg.

Then there’s the Niro Plug-In Hybrid, which can go for about 26 miles on a full charge. After that, it’s rated by the EPA at 48/44/46 mpg. That slightly lower figure than equivalent standard Niros is due largely to the bigger battery’s heft.