2023 Kia Niro - Review

Pros

• Excellent fuel economy
• Attractive, tech-rich interior
• Spacious for a compact

Cons

• Hybrid powertrain offers slow acceleration
• No option for all-wheel drive
• What's new
• All-new exterior and interior design
• More space for passengers and cargo
• Updated infotainment screen
• Kicks off the second Niro generation for 2023

Kia Niro models

The 2023 Kia Niro hybrid is a small SUV available in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX Touring, SX and SX Touring. Every Niro comes with a four-cylinder hybrid electric powertrain good for 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. That power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Feature highlights for the Niro include:

LX

The base Niro hybrid models starts you off with:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic high beams
• Keyless entry
• 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six-speaker audio system
• Five USB ports
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Cloth upholstery

All Niro models come with these advanced driver assist features:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Lane keeping assistance (steers the Niro back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
• Rear passenger safe-exit system (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind)
• Automatic high beams

EX

Builds on the LX's equipment list by adding:

• Roof rails
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation
• Wireless charging pad
• Hands-free keyless entry with push-button start
• Synthetic leather and cloth upholstery
• Power driver's seat
• Heated front seats
• Ambient lighting
• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)

EX Touring

Based on the EX, this trim adds:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Unique body cladding
• LED foglights
• Power sunroof
• Aluminum sport pedals
• Gloss black interior accent trim

SX

Builds on the EX trim and adds more style, including:

• Gloss black body cladding
• Satin chrome window trim
• Gloss black rear spoiler
• Hands-free tailgate
• Seven-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system
• Synthetic leather upholstery
• Driver's seat memory settings
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Digital Key 2.0 (smartphone application allows driver to start, lock and unlock the vehicle)

SX Touring

• The range-topping Niro model is based on the SX but adds:
• 18-inch gloss black-accented alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Perforated synthetic leather upholstery