2024 Kia Niro PHEV Review: Edging Into Small Luxury SUV Territory

The Kia Niro exemplifies the Hyundai Motor Group's mission of offering electrified vehcile choice. Just about the only variant it doesn't come in is gasoline-only powered. There's hybrid and plug-in hybrid Niros, both with a small four-cylinder engine aiding battery power, and a fully-electric Niro EV.

The well-equipped Niro underwent a redesign last year and still starts at a reasonable price, but with all the bells and whistles the Niro now edges into luxury territory.

The 2024 Kia Niro Hybrid is the most budget friendly with a starting price just under $27,000. The Niro Plug-in Hybrid (Niro PHEV) tested here goes up almost $8,000 starting at about $35,000 while the EV tops that at $39,600 before any options are added.

The 2024 Niro is mostly unchanged from the 2023 version. It features sweeping daytime running lights and a skid plate garnish surrounding the new generation of its visor-like front end. Its side view is dominated by an Aero Blade behind the doors that can be painted in body color or in a variety of contrasting colors. The rear features Kia's boomerang-shaped LED taillights.

Non-EV Niros have black door cladding and wheel arches, while the Niro EV features either gray or black trim.

The second-generation Niro is larger than the last model with a larger cargo area behind the rear seats, now 22.8 cubic feet, and with 8 more cubic feet of passenger space. It still comes with 6.3 inches of ground clearance, making it able to clear slightly more than the average compact SUV, but it's not an off-roader by any stretch.

The 2024 Kia Niro PHEV pairs the 1.6-liter engine with a 62-kW electric motor, for a total system output of 180 horsepower (hp) and 195 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque. When it is connected to a Level 2 charger, the Niro PHEV can refill its battery in less than three hours. It has an all-electric range of 33 miles and uses a hybrid power system to go beyond that.

The biggest benefit of plug-in hybrids is that it can still makes sense to plug them in to a standard 110-volt outlet. Though it may take a long time to charge, Niro takes 2.5 days, with diligence and no need to burn through the full all-electric range each time they leave the house, buyers won't necessarily need to install a home charger in their garage.

The Niro PHEV is vaguely entertaining to drive. Like many of the modern-day hybrids and plug-ins (and EVs), it's zippy from a stoplight with electric propulsion. The total system output isn't overwhelming but it's not annoyingly slow, even when passing on the expressway.

Sport and Eco drive modes allow buyers to conserve or use more energy when needed, however the Niro doesn't have Charge or Save mode where it keeps the battery topped off to be used later.

It does have several levels of battery regeneration, varied via paddles on the steering wheel. At any time in Eco mode drivers can grab the left paddle for the highest level of regeneration. With a little practice it can be used as a de facto braking pedal in some traffic situations when just slowing is required.

The mechanical brakes, which rarely need to be used, don't feel quite as sturdy as a traditional vehicle's brakes, but have plenty of power for this size of vehicle.

The ride is stiffer than expected, which makes the Niro feel a little sportier than some of the competition, though the suspension is fixed and doesn't change with the modes.

The cabin features animal-free textiles, a recycled wallpaper headliner and dark, slim seats with lots of adjustments to get into a good driving position. The front seats are heated and cooled and feature USB ports on the sides so that back-seat passengers can easily charge their devices.

The 2024 Niro PHEV is available with dual 10.25-inch screens (one for the touchscreen infotainment and one as a digital instrument cluster). An eight-speaker Harman/Kardon premium sound system is also optional, as is a head-up display (HUD) that projects directions, active safety warnings, vehicle speed, and other information onto the windshield.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are standard. A wireless phone charger is optional.

With the rotary shifter in place of a traditional stick shifter, Niro's front cabin feels spacious despite the vehicle's size. Metallic accents feature on various surfaces, extending to the pedals and vents.

Most of these looks would be right at home in the Mercedes-Benz GLB. However, the Merc has more authentic metallic surfaces.

Like a few other Kias, the Niro features a panel below the screen that switches between a climate control area and a regular volume/mode area. It's convenient except when the driver bumps the swap button. The two knobs double as volume and tuning and the dual-zone climate control.

As frustrating as it is in operation, it's a feature that pushes the Niro closer to luxury territory. Higher-end brands are most frequently going button-less.

Visibility is good out of both the front and back, and the pillars are well placed to avoid blind spots. The back seat feels spacious for this size of vehicle, and the kids had an easy time with the rear seatbelts.

The 2024 Niro PHEV comes standard with a host of safety features including emergency braking, lane keeping and following, driver attention warning, blind spot sensors and rear cross traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control is available, Highway Driving Assist II, which controls the steering and braking, but requires hands on the wheel, is available.

Like its previous generation model, the Niro has few natural competitors. It's smaller than the Ford Escape (starts at $29,495 USD) and Toyota RAV4 (starts at $28,675 USD), both of which are offered in PHEV form and outsell the Niro. However, the Niro costs far less than both, especially if you upgrade the Ford or Toyota to their respective hybrid models.

It also competes with some small SUVs from luxury retailers for its price (the Niro PHEV starts at nearly $35,000) . But, even there, no small SUV is offered with a plug-in electric powertrain.

The Kia Niro has the highest-tech looks, extra efficiency and a good selection of features. If you plan on using the Niro as an around-town commuter car, and not something to haul around teenagers in the second row, it's a great choice.