There are certainly reasons to pass up the Kia Niro, for example because it is on the boring side to look at. But wait a minute, there are plenty of AutoWeek readers with a Niro who really like the car. Indeed, tastes differ. On the way to our photo Niro we also see dozens of them on the road. Not surprising, because it was the Dutch best-selling car for two years in a row.
The Niro has been around since 2016 and is available as a Hybrid, as a PHEV (electric range 58 km) and from the facelift in 2019 as an EV, the e-Niro. The fact that it is available with three different drivetrains makes it special. The Hybrid and the PHEV use a 105 hp 1.6-liter GDi petrol engine, supplemented with a 44 and 61 hp electric motor respectively. The e-Niro has a battery capacity of 64 kWh and a power of 204 hp. In theory, it will take you 455 km. The Kia Niro shares its technology with group partner Hyundai Ioniq. Unlike many competitors, the Niro uses a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The e-Niro does it with a CVT.
For each his own
There is a version for every wish, from the bare-bones ComfortLine to the decidedly luxurious ExecutiveLine. The facelift brings a refreshed appearance in 2019, recognizable by the more aggressive front bumper including LED daytime running lights and, in the case of more expensive versions, LED low beam and rear light units. The most striking news concerns the interior with its more modern dashboard, where the UVO-Connect system is included in a 10.25-inch screen. It is also equipped with new instruments.
Anyone who has a compact, yet spacious crossover on their wish list cannot ignore the Niro, even though the Korean has quite a bit of competition. Floating between the B and C segments, the Niro has to compete with the Opel Mokka, the Honda HR-V and the Renault Captur. The traditional station wagon versions of cars such as the Volkswagen Golf, the Ford Focus and the Toyota Auris can also be in the Kia’s waters. The Niro positions itself in the Kia model hierarchy between the Sportage, the Soul and the Ceed.
It is not surprising that the Niro is so popular. His resume looks like a fun package. It is shorter and ten centimeters lower than stablemate Sportage, but has a (slightly) larger wheelbase. It offers space, comfort (partly thanks to the easy entry), ease of use and economy, but also proverbial reliability. This is further underlined with a seven-year warranty. This has now been discontinued for the oldest examples, which have been on the road since 2016, but that does not seem to be a major problem for the used car buyer.
Reviewers are unanimous about this Kia. Even though its appearance may be more exciting and the interior of the original Niro a bit more high-quality, its other strengths – in particular its economy – more than make up for that. The car drives smoothly, but not uncomfortably. Some owners think the 105 hp petrol engine could be a bit stronger. The hybrid technology is solid, functions almost unnoticeably and also has a long shelf life. There is also a lot of choice for the used car buyer. Hundreds of copies are for sale and all versions are represented.
The Kia Niro is commendably problem-free
The Niro is a utility car. The plastics are hard in places and are therefore susceptible to scratches and other damage. That’s a minus. You have to be alert to the air conditioning. The evaporator sometimes wants to stop working and then the entire system naturally no longer functions. There is hardly anything wrong with the Niro. The technology is solid, the suspension is strong and the brakes can handle the weight, even including a sturdy trailer (one of the plus points of the hybrid version!). There are no complaints whatsoever about the engines.
Yet even a Niro cannot escape some problems. We start small. The removable towbar initially caused some commotion among bicycle-loving Dutch people: it has a lot of play, which means that when using a bicycle carrier it is noticeable that the heavy two-wheelers wobble quite a bit and in some cases even rattle. The ANWB recommends a fixed hook to eliminate this inconvenience. Early Niros (from 2016 and 2017) had to deal with an overheated main relay of the hybrid system, which could pose a fire hazard. Kia immediately responded with recalls. So that problem is gone.
The starter battery sometimes breaks down sooner than expected and leakage is also known to occur in the control unit of the hybrid clutch. Hybrid Niros also had to return in 2017 to check a power steering plug connection. In some cases he discontinued his service. The e-Niro may experience an internal cooling water leak in the electric drive control unit (EPCU). All these issues are now behind us. We have received reports from other countries about reduced braking force caused by loose brake hoses, causing air to enter the system. Tightening the hoses and bleeding the system will solve this problem.
The fully electric Niro performed very well in the battery degradation test. There was hardly any loss of capacity. In cold weather you can travel another 300 to 350 kilometers and in summer this can increase to almost the promised 455 kilometers.
Some rust
What do we discover when De Niro is on the bridge? We see cupped tires, something that reviewers mention. According to dealer Braber, this occurs more often in cars with larger tires (17 and 18 inches). If you take a test drive, you will notice cupping tires by a rumbling sound coming from the rear. The Niro is certainly not a silent car in this respect. We see it more often in cars from Asia. Less attention is paid to insulation there.
We see some rust on the reinforcement of the rear strut, on the exhaust and on the subframe. Kia should pay more attention to this. Mechanic Jorian points out two more common issues on the Niro: the clutch diaphragm spring can sometimes become tired, meaning it needs to be replaced. You will notice it by a rasping sound from the gearbox. Jorian also regularly replaces the aforementioned evaporator of the air conditioning. Suspension and brakes are downright robust.
A real everyone’s friend, problem-free and easy, that’s what one reviewer calls his Kia Niro. He hits the nail on the head with that. It paints the picture surrounding this Korean crossover. You can hardly get around the bend with it, figuratively speaking. It is also recommended as an occasion.
 – Occasion purchase advice){kind=link}