Kia Niro PHEV Review - A Great Hybrid SUV

BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A KIA NIRO PHEV FROM OSV: bit.ly/3kIGtlY
Kia reckons that this Niro PHEV Plug-in hybrid model offers the best of both worlds, combining fashionable 'Crossover' looks with exemplary hybrid efficiency. If you're wanting to join the EV revolution but aren't quite ready for a full-battery-powered contender and need a family hatch-sized model with this kind of tech, it could be worth a look.
Background
Kia is becoming a strong player in the plug-in hybrid segment. In 2016, it launched a PHEV version of its mid-sized Optima model and it followed that up a year later with this car, a plug-in version of its Niro crossover model. Under the skin, this car shares its technology with the Hyundai IONIQ, which means it's very advanced indeed.
Like the IONIQ, the Niro is available with hybrid, all-electric and PHEV drivetrains. With this PHEV, you get an efficient 1.6-litre GDI petrol engine mated to an 8.9kWh battery able, when fully charged, to take this car over 36 miles on all-electric power. Sounds promising..
Driving Experience
At the heart of the Niro's plug-in powertrain is a high-capacity 8.9 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, growing in size from the 1.56 kWh battery pack found in the normal Niro Hybrid. The PHEV variant's battery pack is paired with a more powerful 44.5 kW electric motor than you get in the ordinary self-charging Hybrid model (which has a 32 kW motor). The battery and electric motor are paired with the Niro's efficient 1.6-litre 'Kappa' four-cylinder GDI 105PS engine, producing a total system power and torque output of 141PS and 265Nm.
This enables the PHEV derivative to accelerate from rest to 62mph 10.4 seconds (0.7 seconds quicker than the standard Niro) en route to 107mph. More significantly, Kia engineers claim a pure-electric WLTP driving range of 36 miles. That's if you stay in the more frugal of the two provided 'Drive Mode Select' settings - 'Eco'; the other is 'Normal'. An EV button by the gearstick allows you to stay in all-electric mode if there's enough battery charge to do so.
Inevitably of course, you're also going to need to adopt a very relaxed driving style in order to realise the claimed all-electric range figure, but this Kia's whole demeanour encourages that anyway. As do assorted dials and gauges that include an 'energy flow meter' in the instrument binnacle and various diagrammatic graphics on the centre dash infotainment screen. If you really must push things along and use the full output that engine and electric motor can together provide, you'll find that like most hybrids, this one doesn't take particularly kindly to being hustled along. But at least it responds pretty smoothly to your right foot. Certainly more so than some PHEV models that use belt-driven CVT auto transmission. This Plug-in hybrid auto (all PHEVs are autos) uses a proper transmission with real cogs, a 6DCT set-up that includes a Manual Sports driving mode.
Design and Build
We're not sure if Kia's designers in Korea and California deliberately set out to blur the boundaries with this design between Focus-style family hatch and 'Juke'-style small Crossover. That's certainly the kind of look we've ended up with here. You might not immediately pigeon-hole this Niro as any kind of Crossover or SUV, but Kia is keen that you should look a little closer and pick out the detail features that would usually identify more lifestyle-orientated models of the Juke-genre.
The exterior and interior design of this PHEV Niro variant has been adapted to differentiate it from the ordinary Hybrid version. Exterior alterations include a satin chrome grille surround, as well as special chrome brightwork with a clean metallic-blue finish, applied to thin 'blades' in the front and rear bumpers. Boot space falls with this Plug-in version though - from 427-litres in the standard Hybrid to 324-litres here. The Plug-in Hybrid model is available with 16-inch alloy wheels as well as full-LED headlamps and dedicated 'Eco Plug-in' badging. Changes to this revised model include smarter bumpers and a redesign for the front and rear lights.
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[@PamenterDoug]

I have a 2021 Niro SX Touring PHEV in Canada. Absolutely love this car. It is the best of both worlds. Perfect for two Senior adults.

[@frits8986]

The spins he does at the start of every new shot 🤣

[@simonbutterwick7204]

Great review. What the cool background music at the beginning?

[@afnankhokhar5578]

Great review. Very comprehensive!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thank you for watching, Afnan! Glad you enjoyed the review 👍

[@MilaMila-kz4so]

Cool. Thanks a lot for review. Buying Ex PHEV soon///

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

We're glad our review could help, Mila!

[@MB-rt5bx]

I have one as company car. Loved everything about it until the weather got cold. Even if doing short trips and have full battery, the engine has to come on to heat the car and demist, because it doesnt have an electric heater. Needless to say you dont get the excellent mpg you would otherwise get. So the huge benefit of having this PHEV doesnt apply in cold weather when driving locally. PHEVs are definately the way forward, but i will pick one with an electric heater in future, if it exists.

[@johnvinall2883]

The only one with a heatpump is the Toyota Prius phev I think.

[@Knightlore10]

Thanks for sharing this. I’ve had a Polestar 2 for the last 2 years and I have home charging. Was thinking about one of these for my wife as she only does local trips but will take out grandchildren from time to time. The winter heating issue is something to bear in mind

[@sipkohuismans5731]

Good balanced review. I have one coming in a few weeks. pure electric next time. Easy to get in and out of

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

That's great to hear. We hope you enjoy your new Kia e-Niro 👍

[@andrewclarke2832]

I’ve test driven one of these over the last few days and I have to say I’ve really enjoyed it - I’m going to order one (company car). The boot is quite small but for me it’s sufficient and the low BIK tax makes it a bargain for what you get. Thanks for the review!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for watching, Andrew! We supply every make and model in the UK and one of our vehicle experts will find you the most affordable solution 👍 Fill-in this quick form and we'll get in touch: bit.ly/39YHCml

[@aljoker7808]

I can get this as company car, those the battery charge while you drive in a charge mode? or you always have to go to stations or charge at home? i'm also considering ID.3 VW

[@yes8032]

Beautiful interior

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

It certainly is, George 👍

[@mlggamer2080]

With a kia niro 3 phev s-a can u open the boot with the key?

[@David-ju5ci]

Good review.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks David, glad you enjoyed it!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Would you buy a Kia Niro PHEV? 🤔

[@adamkubacki1958]

Love the tech. Wish they didn't neuter the styling so much from the concept car

[@alistarjplaysvideogames9910]

I just did a month ago and I absolutely love it!

[@martynb9]

10 months we’ve had problems with our KIA NIRO PHEV vehicles. Having spoken to other KIA Niro PHEV drivers I know that this is not an isolated problem with our lease fleet vehicles. At the beginning of this year one of these 2021 vehicles was replaced with a 2022 vehicle due to an accident and this was handed to us with the same faults if not worse. KIA dealers have completed several software updates without any success and the whole thing is now, and has been for a few months, very annoying and frustrating. I can’t believe that a crack squad of engineers, as I’ve been told, in LG and KIA have been unable to solve the problem. The Faults include but are not limited to : • Satellite navigation does not work after dusk, this includes KIA Built in Satellite Navigation, APPLE CarPlay & Android Auto using GOOGLE MAPS, WAZE, APPLE Maps etc. We've had to buy cradles to support their phone and make sure it’s not connected to the car. • “wrong direction” warnings at all times of the day even when it’s clearly the correct direction. This sounds even when the infotainment system is switched off and sometimes constantly sounding for ten minutes, it’s at its worse when travelling down a one way street the correct way. • When Cruise control is set it shows 3 dashes instead of the speed set • Compass shows you travelling in the opposite direction to travel DON'T BUY THESE VEHICLES!!!!!!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hi Martyn, thank you for sharing your experience and we're sorry to hear about the issues you've had with your Niro PHEV models. We do supply fleet vehicles so if you're exploring other options we'd be more than happy to help. Give our vehicle experts a call on 01903 538835 and we will look into this further for you.

[@paulcooper5610]

Really need someone to do a real world test of towing a Caravan with the Niro PHEV so we can see how far it can go on a full tank of fuel at a steady 60mph on a motorway, any chance ?

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for your suggestion Paul - we'll take it on-board 👍

[@edwardwelsch1693]

I had been looking at this car until I found out it didn't have a spare tire (at least in the USA). That is a real draw back for long trips or driving at night.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Sorry to hear that, Edward. Which other models are you considering at the moment?

[@edwardwelsch1693]

@@OsvUkVehicleSupply I need a car with at least that much storage capacity. It was the only one in my price range and after I realized the lack of a spare I knew why they were priced so low. How do people get by without a spare tire? Who at Kia made such a dumb decision?

[@twig3288]

Most people don't think about spare wheels until they're they're on the way to the airport with the family a get a burst tire. With a spare wheel it would make you about twenty minutes late, without a spare you'll probably miss the plane.

[@tobi615]

Wish color?

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hi there, it's Graphite 👍

[@peternystrom921]

Did i realy see a key in the ignition? What is this like 1950ish? Im driving a Prius 2009 now and one of the best features is 100% keyless, i would never buy a car without that feature.

[@Boogersncome]

Very convenient, but the drawback of keyless is replay attack. I suppose though in a non-desirable car you wouldn't really think of this.

[@alexsurber9404]

@@Boogersncome Yeah, like who steals a Prius? Lol

[@moviegeek699]

@@alexsurber9404 Those who would like to cash in on catalytic converters.

[@jessemartinez2606]

Is having a key that big a deal?

[@peternystrom921]

@@jessemartinez2606 Yes, if it was not i wouldnt type it would i? Its 2022, and we didnt need keys 2009 and not 2022.

[@eliasbartos]

Hi, I have a KIA CEED PHEV 2022. I'm very disappointed how the hybrid system works. If it low temperature outside (below 10 C) then the petrol engine always starts if the so if im driving under 10km it never runs purly on electricity. Or if the AC is runing the petrol engien starts. So the petrol enginen is always running when heating or cooling... My advise, dont buy a KIA

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Sorry to hear about your poor experience with the XCEED, Elias. If you'd like to explore options for a replacement, we supply every make and model in the UK and will be more than happy to help. Get in touch on 01903 538835 or book a free consultation here - bit.ly/3soFVbF

[@silmyfasy6696]

Falling a sleep man