KiaNiro

　　

2024 Kia Niro Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　Kia's stylish hybrid crossover-hatchback mashup, the 2024 Kia Niro, occupies a unique niche. It's tidy in length — a bit shorter than the average canoe — but versatile, with ample cargo space and about the same rear seat legroom as the larger Honda CR-V. It's also wildly fuel-efficient, delivering up to 53 mpg combined. That's just a few mpg shy of the Toyota Prius, a longer (but smaller inside) liftback design. The Niro's impressive efficiency comes at the expense of power, though. The Niro's wheezy four-cylinder makes just 139 horsepower. Still, utility and efficiency give the Niro a unique edge among small crossovers.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$72/mo  for Niro LX

　　Niro LX

　　LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) - $26,840 MSRPEX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) (Most Popular) - $29,540 MSRPEX Touring 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) - $31,840 MSRPSX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) - $32,940 MSRPSX Touring 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) - $35,240 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　

zzdcar spotlight: More room, more miles

Now in its second year of its second generation, the Niro has shaken off its former cuteness and Kia's insistence that it wasn't a hatchback but really an SUV (despite no all-wheel drive, or elevated ride, or significant cargo advantages). "Crossover" is a more apt description. The Niro crosses stylish hatch design with SUV cabin height. Despite smaller proportions, the Niro offers more headroom than the larger Honda CR-V or even its Kia Sportage family relation. For cargo space, the Niro splits the difference between two Toyotas: smaller than the Prius by 1 cubic foot, but just more than 1 cubic foot larger than the Corolla Cross Hybrid. But it's the Niro's efficiency that truly impresses: between 49 and 53 mpg combined, depending on trim.

　　

Competitors to consider

Its unique design and fuel-thrifty ways really make the Niro a class of one. Well, two now that the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is here. This crossover version of the Corolla gets up to 42 mpg but adds all-wheel drive. Another Toyota, the Prius, still reigns supreme with a max 57 mpg. Its liftback/trunk design isn't quite as versatile as the Niro's traditional hatch body style, but it offers slightly more cargo space. The Honda CR-V hybrid delivers 40 mpg combined and nearly twice the cargo space, but it's also nearly a foot longer than the Niro and costs several thousand dollars more.

　　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

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Niro drive? The Niro is poised and easygoing at low speeds. But it's less endearing when you need a burst of speed. Considering the Toyota Prius' newly improved performance credentials, the Niro's athleticism is now subpar. At our test track, the Niro accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 9.7 seconds. That's slow for a modern hybrid, and it feels that way on the road too.

　　Beyond the lackluster acceleration, the Niro also comes up short in athleticism. Make some quick direction changes and the Niro's chassis gets very unsettled — it feels flexible and unsturdy. There's minimal feedback coming through the steering wheel, though the light weighting feels appropriate for this type of vehicle. The Niro is clearly much more at home in an urban environment.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Niro? The Niro has impressive road manners, with a quiet cabin that only gets noisy under hard acceleration. At city speeds, it's extremely pleasant. Similarly, the suspension is tuned to keep things cushy over bumps in the road. The Niro is nice and relaxing for a commute home. The seats are supportive and easy to adjust, but they feel slightly too firm. A bit more padding would go a long way to make long-distance driving more comfortable.

　　Standard dual-zone climate control is a great feature to have, and the system worked effectively in our testing. The optional ventilation for the front seats is a nice add-on.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below