Thanks to its high stance, conservative styling, and a more normal, traditional-acting automatic transmission, the Kia Niro is a genre-splitting hybrid that combines fuel economy with versatility. It uses the same drivetrain as its sibling hybrid -- the Hyundai Ioniq -- and also suffers from some of that car's shortcomings.
When compared with conventional wagons and small SUVs, the Niro's 43 mpg overall is impressive. But that falls 9 mpg shy of the Toyota Prius and Ioniq, our current hybrid fuel economy champs, and that's due to the Niro's extra weight and less aerodynamic body shape.
The Niro does offer an upright driving position, easy access, good visibility, and the utility of a small wagon. And like the Ioniq, the Niro comes across as a fairly conventional car, with easy-to-use controls and a powertrain that feels more ordinary than unusual. Some of these characteristics end up being assets, while others are liabilities.
The Niro uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine which, in conjunction with the electric drive unit, puts out a combined 139 hp. This blend is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. While that combo delivers power in a seemingly conventional way (unlike hybrids that use a continuously variable transmission), the Niro suffers from an initial delay off the line. In addition, shifts aren't smooth. As with other hybrids, the Niro can propel itself solely on electric power at low speeds, provided you use a light touch on the gas pedal.
Although the Niro drives more like a regular car than most hybrids, that doesn't mean it's all that enjoyable. It feels reluctant through corners, denying the driver a feeling of confidence and control, and it was unimpressive through our avoidance maneuver. The Niro's ride can get choppy on bumpy pavement, and braking performance was merely mediocre, with fairly long stops and a spongy feel through the brake pedal.
Interior quality is quite basic even in our mid-trim EX. To the Niro's credit, its controls are intuitive and free of any confusing features. The gear selector operates in a traditional fashion, and the 7-inch infotainment system is a piece-of-cake to use. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility is standard.
The driving position is roomy and upright like a small SUV, and the rear seat offers ample space. However, while the manual cloth-and-leather front seats look attractive, they're not very comfortable, in part because there isn't any lumbar adjustment. For that, you'd have to opt for the option package that contains a 10-way power driver's seat with two-way lumbar adjustment in addition to advanced safety features and a sunroof. Unlike other hybrids with whose utility is compromised by how and where the battery is stored, the Niro's lithium-ion battery is located under the rear seat, which allows for a flat, uninterrupted cargo floor when the rear seats are folded.
Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning come standard on the mid-level EX and up. Forward-collision warning and city speed automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning are available.