Summary
The Kia Niro was a small hybrid crossover/SUV that sat between the smaller Stonic and larger Sportage in the Kia family. It was launched in the summer of 2016, facelifted in the middle of 2019, and replaced in 2022.
The Niro was initially launched as a regular hybrid in the summer of 2016, with a plug-in hybrid version joining the line-up in 2017. There was also fully-electric model called the Kia e-Niro, and we have a separate page for this model.
Being more car-like and less SUV-like than most crossover rivals, and squeezed into a narrow niche between the slightly-smaller Stonic and slightly-larger Sportage meant that the Niro had few direct rivals but a huge number of broadly comparable cars for a similar sort of price. The motoring media lined it up against hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius as well as more SUV-styled models like the Peugeot 3008.
The Kia Niro received mixed reviews from the UK motoring media, with the general consensus being that the plug-in hybrid model was better than the regular hybrid, and the electric e-Niro was significantly better again.
The Niro was praised for offering good levels of equipment and low running costs compared to similarly-priced rivals. However, it was criticised for an average driving experience and a lack of boot space, along with interior quality that falls behind the best cars in its class.
As of May 2024, the Kia Niro holds an overall Used Expert Rating of B, with a score of 66%. It scores top marks for its low running costs and CO2 emissions, however its media review scores are poor and its safety rating has expired.
- Kia Niro (2022 onwards) – Expert Rating
- Kia e-Niro (2019 to 2022) – Expert Rating
- More Kia Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
Key specifications
Body style: Small-medium SUV/crossover
Power: petrol-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £25,705
Launched: Summer 2016
Last updated: Summer 2019
Replaced: Summer 2022
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid automatic ‘2’
Score: 8 / 10
“Kia’s mainstream hybrid pioneer is not as efficient as a Prius, but it comes at a cheaper price and in a more family-friendly package that will likely appeal to a wider audience.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview (includes e-Niro)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Niro offers three levels of electrification, and arguably it gets better with the more electric input there is. The standard hybrid can’t match the Toyota Prius for smoothness or efficiency, but the plug-in version has a decent all-electric range, while the e-Niro is an EV class leader.”
Read review
Model reviewed: PHEV
Score: 8 / 10
“This car is simple to live with, will be cheap to run if you can plug it in regularly, and is well equipped.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Niro is decent to drive, well made and has a stonking seven-year warranty, as well as being loaded with equipment as standard.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid automatic
Score: 6 / 10
“The Kia Niro presents as an entirely companionable proposition. Spacious, reasonable to drive and with a cost of ownership worth shouting about, the Niro will find plenty of very happy homes.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid automatic First Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“For Kia’s first dedicated UK hybrid, the Niro is a brilliant effort. Not only does it retain favourable characteristics of other new Kias, but it strikes a superb balance between comfort and dynamics, which will leave those wanting a conventional car with greater efficiency smiling from ear to ear.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Niro is a hybrid SUV that’s not quite as frugal as the Toyota Prius, but is practical, easy to drive and highly affordable.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid
Score: 4 / 10
“The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid is a small family SUV that’s easy to drive. It’ll prove cheap to run, too – but only if you do mainly short journeys and have somewhere to charge it overnight.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“The Kia Niro is a small, easy-to-drive SUV that’s cheap to run and well-equipped, but alternatives are more exciting to look at and have bigger boots.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid ‘3’
“Makes great sense on paper, the hybrid system works well and the Kia Niro PHEV is an attractive – if understated – package let down a little by some interior plastics.”
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Discover EV
Model reviewed: 4
Score: 8.2 / 10
“A fully loaded crossover, the Kia Niro GDi HEV is a good choice if you’re looking for a non-plugin hybrid.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Niro PHEV is a welcome addition to the growing range of plug-in vehicles available for motorists. It’s very efficient, it’s practical, and it’s reasonably affordable. This may be enough for many people. It isn’t a driver’s car, but that won’t be a concern for lots of car buyers.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid automatic ‘2’
Score: 7 / 10
“The Kia Niro is ideal for people who want an affordable, efficient, easy-to-drive car, in a practical yet compact package. As a first attempt at a hybrid that has appeal for a certain segment of the motoring population, the Niro is a good effort.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If space, performance and convenience technology matter more to you than running cost then there are better choices, including Kia’s own Sportage. But the Niro’s ease of use, low running costs and impressive economy make it a great alternative to petrol or diesel-powered crossovers.”
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Motors
Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid
Score: 7 / 10
“The Niro PHEV might appear to be an expensive Kia, but that would be an unfair judgement given the specification on offer and the pricing of some of its key rivals.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“To drive, the Kia Niro definitely favours a relaxed drive rather than a spirited one. There’s largely a smooth and refined transition between electric and petrol power, although on the plug-in hybrid you do seem to get a sudden burst of power when the engine kicks in.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“Compact SUV with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric power.”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Protects you, protects the planet.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid automatic ‘1’
Score: 6 / 10
“It takes more than numbers to make a good family car.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“As plug-in hybrids go, the Kia Niro PHEV makes a lot of sense. It’s more affordably priced than the majority of its rivals, comes well equipped, and while driving it won’t give you goosebumps, it’s still a smooth and relatively relaxing way of getting around.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Kia Niro is a tempting option for those looking to switch from diesel into a hybrid car. Company car drivers might well be tempted by the plug-in version, but for private buyers the standard model is both cheaper and more pleasant to drive.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“A clever bit of engineering wrapped up in a tedious package.”
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: August 2016
Date expired: January 2023
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 83%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 57%
Safety assist: 59%
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: 1.6-litre plug-in hybrid 4X2 automatic
Overall score: 3.5 stars
Date tested: February 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 7.6 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 6 / 10
The Kia Niro plug-in hybrid was awarded a 3.5 star eco rating from Green NCAP in February 2021.
Green NCAP said: “In general, the implementation of the hybrid technology, and the strategy adopted by Kia, works well and results are good. Green NCAP’s test laboratory noted that the Niro started its petrol engine even when the battery was sufficiently charged, in order to warm the cabin or to provide additional torque when needed in the high-load tests.
“The Niro performs well in all three areas of assessment but its plug-in hybrid power system is most effective in improving energy efficiency. Overall, the Niro emerges from Green NCAP’s tests with a good 3½ star rating.”
This rating only applies to the plug-in hybrid version of the Kia Niro, rather than the regular hybrid version.
As of December 2022, we don’t have enough reliability data on the latest iteration of the Kia Niro to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the second-generation Niro, we’ll publish the score here.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Kia Niro has received
2022
- DrivingElectric Awards – Best Used Hybrid Car
2021
- Business Motoring Awards – Best Hybrid
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Used Plug-In Hybrid
- Car Dealer Used Car Awards – Best Used AFV
2020
- Diesel Car & Eco Car Top 50 – Best Hybrid + Best Plug-in Hybrid
- DieselCar & EcoCar Used Car Top 50 – Best Used Hybrid
2019
- Car Dealer Used Car Awards – Best Used Car + Best Used SUV
- Diesel Car & Eco Car Top 50 – Best Plug-in Hybrid
2018
- Auto Express Driver Power survey – Best Small SUV
- Diesel Car & Eco Car Top 50 – Best Hybrid
2017
- Next Green Car Awards – Best Crossover
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Kia Niro, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C4 Cactus | Ford Kuga | Honda CR-V | Hyundai Tucson | Jeep Compass | Mazda CX-30 | MG HS | Mini Countryman | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Nissan Qashqai | Peugeot 3008 | Renault Kadjar | Skoda Karoq | Subaru XV | Vauxhall Mokka | Volkswagen Tiguan
- Kia Niro (2022 onwards) – Expert Rating
- Kia e-Niro (2019 to 2022) – Expert Rating
- More Kia ratings, reviews, news and features
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Kia Niro at The Car Expert
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