The 2023 Kia Niro will get notable enhancements in all three drivetrain configurations. And the 53mpg EPA ranking is an enormous draw for Earth-savvy shoppers.
The Kia Niro provides what you would possibly consider as three distinct personalities. Patrons can select one in all a trio of battery-based drivetrains: a traditional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and a pure electrical variant. The latter is a extra reasonably priced solution to get right into a zero-emissions car than the Korean carmaker’s EV6.
An all-new model of the Niro is simply rolling out for the 2023 mannequin 12 months and GearJunkie headed out to San Diego to test it out.
2023 Kia Niro: 3 in 1
Consider the Kia Niro as three completely different automobiles in a single. It’s amongst solely a handful of merchandise that provide three distinctly completely different takes on battery energy.
The bottom mannequin is a traditional, albeit extremely fuel-efficient, hybrid. The plug-in mannequin is much more vitality environment friendly whereas including as much as 33 miles of all-electric driving vary. For many who need to abandon inner combustion energy solely, there’s the Kia Niro EV, which delivers an EPA-estimated 253 miles per cost.
First launched 7 years in the past, the compact crossover goes by a significant makeover for 2023, and the numbers inform a compelling story. Mileage and vary have been improved, for one factor. And the Niro grows bigger in nearly all dimensions, together with passenger and cargo house.
Now add an up to date design that features a distinctive “Aero Blade” meant to boost Niro’s aerodynamics. And, lest we overlook what so lots of immediately’s patrons are in search of, there’s loads of new expertise, together with a ten.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and the flexibility to replace most onboard software program utilizing smartphone-style, over-the-air updates.
Loads of Choices to Select From
As an increasing number of American motorists go for electrified automobiles — whether or not to save cash on gasoline or to be kinder to Mom Earth — Kia is optimistic that the second-generation Niro will achieve new followers. It’s significantly passionate about how patrons will greet its two plug-in fashions, together with the bottom PHEV beginning at $33,740 plus a $1,295 supply price.
The automaker has but to disclose figures for the Niro EV. Throughout a September drive occasion, Product Technique Supervisor Mark Savino advised it would are available at a “extra attainable worth level than the Kia EV6.” The outgoing Niro EV begins at $40,385, together with supply charges.
To get a really feel for the 2023 Kia Niro — make that Niros, plural — I caught a flight to San Diego, the place I spent an extended day leaping out and in of the three completely different variations. Every had a particular persona and distinctive particulars.
The HEV is fitted with a traditional shifter, for instance, and the PHEV has an digital controller. Each share a six-speed automated. However, like most battery-electric fashions, the Niro EV has a single-speed gearbox. And what initially regarded like steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters truly management the extent of brake regeneration.
The HEV mannequin, in the meantime, will get 16-inch wheels, with non-compulsory 18-inch alloy wheels accessible on the 2 plug-based Niros.
2023 Niro: By the Numbers
All three share the identical dimensions. The 2023 Niro grows to 174 inches nose-to-tail, with a 107.1-inch wheelbase. Cargo capability is now as much as 22.8 cubic ft. The automaker identified the crossover now has an extra 8 cubic ft of passenger house in addition to 50% extra cargo room than the Tesla Mannequin 3.
The three additionally usually share the identical exterior styling, which makes use of what Kia describes as its “Opposites United” design language. There’s extra of an emphasis on aerodynamic particulars within the gen-2 Niro — a logical transfer contemplating how that impacts mileage, electrical vary, and efficiency. On common, the 2023 fashions yield a powerful — although removed from benchmark — drag coefficient of 0.29.
One notable distinction is the usage of a sealed grille on the Niro EV. With many key powertrain elements, together with the battery pack, mounted below the load ground there’s no have to flood air into the engine compartment. In the meantime, Kia has fitted a small “frunk,” or entrance trunk, below the hood.
All three Niro variations function upswept LED daytime working lamps and, within the rear, boomerang-shaped LED taillights. The HEV and PHEV fashions function black cladding on doorways and wheel arches. The EV will get Metal Grey or black exterior trim relying on physique shade.
‘Aero Blade’
The “Aero Blade” is well probably the most distinctive new function and one thing which may call to mind the Audi R8. Each use the basic idea to fastidiously channel air across the again finish to scale back turbulence instantly behind.
Relying in the marketplace, the Aero Blade may be painted in a wide range of completely different colours — although we People will initially have solely black and grey choices.
Inside, as I earlier famous, you’ll discover a handful of variations between the three Niro packages. However the general look is modern, with a high-tech really feel underscored by the dual instrument and infotainment screens. There are many USB ports as effectively.
An Interesting Package deal of Know-how
The tech ought to attraction to the youthful patrons Kia is focusing on in addition to the wi-fi variations of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that come normal. Wi-fi smartphone charging is non-compulsory.
There’s a variety of superior driver-assistance programs: normal ahead collision warning with auto-braking, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, and lane-keeping help. A handful of ADAS programs, together with one which makes use of navi mapping to know when to gradual in corners, can be found.
Powertrain Stats
As to the center of those machines:
- The 2023 Kia Niro HEV pairs a 16L inline-4 fuel engine with a 32kW electrical motor. It pumps out a peak 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It additionally delivers an estimated 53 mpg mixed.
- The Niro PHEV makes use of the identical inner combustion engine however opts for a barely bigger 62kW motor. The plug-in makes a heftier 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet, and it achieves an EPA-rated 108 MPGe. It can also journey as much as 33 miles per cost of its 11.1kWh lithium-ion battery, a 25% enchancment over the outgoing mannequin.
- The Kia Niro EV depends solely on a 64.8kWh battery pack. A single motor manages 201 horsepower and 188 pound-feet. And, as a result of torque comes on instantaneously, it has a decidedly sporty really feel. The vary is EPA-rated at 253 miles per cost.
Niro EV is fitted with a high-power electrical structure that helps scale back charging occasions. With its onboard 11kW charger, it would take 7 hours to replenish a totally drained battery. Plug right into a public fast charger, and it’ll go from a ten% to 80% state of cost in 45 minutes.
The Niro PHEV, in the meantime, can’t use a fast charger, however a 240V system will absolutely replenish the battery in “below 3 hours,” in line with Kia. And, in fact, you may maintain going even when the battery is drained, as with the traditional hybrid.
Driving the 2023 Niro EV
I spent a lot of my time in San Diego placing the 2023 Kia Niro EV by its paces. And comparisons to the dearer and streamlined EV6 had been unavoidable. The smaller battery-electric car isn’t fairly as fast, particularly in contrast with the EV6 GT-Line. However it places to good use the speedy torque of its single electrical motor with a neck-snapping launch really feel if you happen to flip to sport mode.
Dealing with was fairly good as I headed out towards the winding hill nation east of San Diego. However I often felt a little bit of butt wiggle if I pushed too exhausting right into a nook.
Certainly one of my favourite options is Niro EV’s 1-Pedal drive mode. It’s just like what you’d expertise downshifting a handbook from sixth to 3rd gear. Besides right here, you recoup extra vitality that’s then despatched to the battery to increase vary. On one significantly windy stretch from Jerome again to San Diego, I truly needed to apply the brakes solely twice, and I’m a lead-foot driver.
The draw back is that you would be able to’t go away the Niro in 1-Pedal mode. As with the EV6, you must toggle the left paddle each time you begin up.
Driving the 2023 Niro PHEV
Just like the EV, the Niro plug-in hybrid makes good use of its electrical motor. It’s the second-quickest possibility for 2022. My one huge criticism was the engine noise stage once you’re driving exhausting.
Nonetheless, the 2023 Kia Niro PHEV is a superb alternative for somebody with a comparatively brief commute or errand run. It additionally provides an fascinating “battery-saver” mode. I
n some elements of the world, drivers face entry charges or penalties driving in central cities utilizing fuel or diesel. Which will observe within the U.S. The PHEV’s navi system can reserve the battery pack till you enter one in all these zones after which swap to all-electric. You can also program the swap to happen, say, in a faculty or hospital zone, or close to your property.
I jumped into the bottom hybrid mannequin as my day began to wrap up, working it alongside the Pacific Coast Freeway and I-405, in addition to by some native neighborhoods. As I anticipated, it’s the least compelling of the three new Niro variants, with its anemic fuel engine and undersized electrical motor offering little thrust at launch, even in Sport mode.
That stated, Kia expects it to generate at the very least half of complete Niro gross sales going ahead. That 53mpg EPA ranking is an enormous draw contemplating immediately’s gasoline costs.
2023 Kia Niro Wrapup
The beginning worth of $26,490 — earlier than supply charges — solely enhances the 2023 Niro’s attraction.
When it debuted, the unique Kia Niro was an intriguing addition to the Korean model’s lineup, providing patrons all the key electrified powertrain choices. The 2023 takes issues up an enormous notch. It’s greater, roomier, and higher outfitted.
It additionally boasts notable enhancements in all three of the drivetrain choices, and that ought to draw loads of consideration as an increasing number of People acknowledge the advantages of electrified drivetrain applied sciences.
