The Most Fuel Efficient Hatch In America | 2023 Kia Niro Full Review

[@BevmoBevmo]

Alex on Autos previous '23 Niro videos convinced me to buy a Niro HEV in California. This is a near perfect city car, the 500 miles from 10 gallons of fuel is amazing. But this review had a few misses. 1) space under the trunk floor is large, there is a two-level luggage board that can go in high or low position. 2) no other car has memory seats and folding mirrors at this price point, super helpful for multiple drivers and city parking 3) digital key in your iPhone and not carrying a key fob is handy 4) the lane following assist and smart cruise control tech is impressive near self-driving game changer at reducing fatigue 5) Toyota styling of an iPad strapped to the dash is not 'leading edge design' it’s lazy - Kia styling is a cleaner user experience 6) non-touring trims in US have even better fuel economy because of the lighter 16” wheels 7) you talk about AWD as if it’s a must have feature, maybe in a snowy climates, but lack of it is not a universal negative….

[@jordanbabcock]

Is there enough space under the trunk for a spare tire if you were to buy one?

[@BevmoBevmo]

For compact spare yes, but not SX or SXT as they have the audio system sub there. The tire inflation kit plus roadside assistance is fine for me…

[@raybanez642]

I love my EX Touring in green. I totally agree with what you said about the features and options. Where can you get folding mirrors and app controlled HVAC and HDA included in a mid level trim? Kia hit a home run on this. It has lots of room in 2nd row and the styling is so futuristic both inside and out. Great review by the way.

[@mementomori29231]

100% agree. I do not want AWD and the associated worse gas mileage, more maintenance, and need to buy 4 new tires when one tire is damaged beyond repair.

[@Ryan-um8ug]

Canada has a heads up display on the window!

[@danhall3450]

Today I went car driving with a 73 yr old single lady. We drove Elantra Hybrid, Corolla LE hybrid, and Niro EX hybrid in that order. After driving the Niro she said "this is the one I want!" It definitely felt more substantial/solid, quieter, & smoother than the other two.

[@davidpaisley9949]

Agree. I did much the same and bought the Niro.

[@苏蒂斯]

@@davidpaisley9949Hello, does this hybrid car have a spare tire?

[@kolt9051]

These videos are so well done, they can be in an archive.

[@charlesworton4020]

I chose the Elantra Hybrid, for an unusual reason: my elderly Mother couldn't get into the Niro passenger seat, it was too high. The Elantra was a great choice, and the MPG is exceptional. 0-60 is around 8.4 seconds, and the independent rear suspension provides exceptional handling. Alex on Autos never did a dedicated review of the Elantra Hybrid. I hope you change that!

[@derekgaliee4351]

Thank you for Sharing. I have a elderly mom also was concerned about Sedans which I like & Crossovers

[@GenusAnas]

Whaaaaat? I thought lifted up cars are easier to get into, especially for elders.

[@firstcitytraveler]

I had a 2017 Hyundai Elantra but had trouble getting in and out of it because of back problems. Too low. I traded it for a 2019 KIA Niro Touring and it was higher but not too high. Much easier to get in and out of. When I decide to buy a new car (my Niro has only 26000 miles and running like new) it will be Niro SX Touring.

[@alfontana6242]

We have a 2022 RAV 4 Prime model SE (base model) we purchased new in March 2022. All RAV 4 Primes are AWD. Our current all electric range is 35-50+ miles depending on weather etc. living here in North West Oregon on the coast. When operating on gasoline (regular 87 octane unleaded w/ 10% ethanol), with a depleted battery MPG range from winter conditions from low 40 MPG to mid 40's MPG, and in summer on rural roads, highway 101 being one of them, MPG runs from 45- 50+ MPG. With electric rates here running about 12 cents per KWH with all cost included its less expensive than regular gas which is running $4.00 per gallon and up currently. No complaints from our RAV 4 Prime which also includes a spare tire and not many plug in hybrids, or hybrids for that matter have.

[@LiohJuney]

Thank you for lowering your driving camera. When you post it high on the window, the angle always looks off. This angle looks awesome. Great review Brian.

[@user-ss3ud7pp7f]

Really good review. I’ve had Prius and Niros I prefer the the Niro for comfort, better stereo, and easier to get in and out of. I hope it holds up like a Toyota. And I’m a real Prius fan because they started it way way before everybody else caught on. BTW in only around town driving no highway. I’m getting 60 miles to the gallon no joke. my highway trips. Take the mileage down to the low 50s. Neat cars.

[@kolt9051]

Fantastic video, Brian!

[@onkyomitsu4765]

who is brian? i've never seen him. is it his son?

[@BullittHilts]

If I owned a Hyundai/Kia vehicle and get bumped in the corner of the bumper in a parking lot, now it’s the bumper AND a turn signal that needs to be replaced. They shouldn’t be that low down. Considering the fact that most people are driving from an elevated position these days w/ CUV/SUV’s, the turn signals should be higher up. They’re not at normal eye level when following in normal traffic. The incandescent bumper signals I’ve seen on some Kia’s on the road are a joke - they don’t stand out as much as a normal signal that’s near the rest of the tail lights. I’m glad they offer LED signals on this Nero, even if they’re low down, that are Amber - I’m with Alex that amber signals should be on every car. Rant over. Great review as always!!

[@jackfishcampbell6745]

Thank you very much for reviewing the Niro HEV . We have a 19 Niro HEV , great car . It seems with thatvwith the proliferation of EV cars and PHEV,S that the hybrids are being ignored . One benefit of the older midel , is ou car came with a mini spare . There's no way that I'd drive without a spare . One of the best thing about Niros is headroom , rear legroom and just general space . I love having a shifter , buttons or rotary not for me . I'm not keen on removing physical buttons for heat etc otherwise the new car looks fine .

[@Peizxcv]

Without a spare is just too deadly if you drive to any place without good cellphone coverage. When I think of my trips to national parks out West, yeah, no

[@jackfishcampbell6745]

@@Peizxcv Well I live in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada , and there's good cell coverage around the main highways , but not if I drive out to the bush up north . We have enormous Provincial Parks with spotty coverage at best as well as National Parks . I couldn’t believe it when they announced the removal of spare tires . Cheap SOB'S was my opinion .

[@Ryan-um8ug]

The Canandian 🇨🇦 model has the EV gage and speed screen on the SX model as well it has window heads up display as well.

[@leaaae4638]

I cant decide between Niro, Prius, or model 3 (after credit +rebate). All about same price. I really want the leather seat, cameras, digital keys, walk away locking, lane keep assist, and dashcam. These all come with Model 3! If I want these features on Niro and Prius I'd have to go highest trim! Which will be more expensive than Tesla Model 3. However, Tesla Model 3 is full EV and lack hatchback. I go on long road trips to ski a lot, so I trust hybrid more tbh. No electricity anxiety in long trips. Super charging on the way to ski resort end up costing a tiny bit more than Prius, AND take extra 2 hours on my road trip to destination. (I tested this between my friends Prius and Tesla Model 3). Prius give best MPG and is the most reliable hybrid out there, and new one looks SO beautiful. However, Niro has more space, and perfect for spring ski and car camping. All 3 car has its benefits and its cons. I just can't pick!! ahhhh

[@pipin447]

I have a prius 2019 is very realiable.

[@CapELarry]

10:58 Excatly. I can’t wait for this awful piano gloss black trend to end.

[@mark_u]

Quite surprised that the new Niro is bigger than the Seltos. Thought that the progression of Kia's subcompact crossover line-up was Soul-Niro-Seltos.

[@phil9410]

I don’t need 4WD and I don’t care about 0-60 time so this sounds like the perfect small SUV

[@davidpaisley9949]

I like fast cars and I find this car has plenty of power.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Brian, The space efficiency of this Nero is very impressive compared to the Toyota competition but no other brand has the proven Hybrid track record of Toyota/Lexus.

[@koven1497]

Yes, but their hybrid system and the regen braking/software is pretty poor compared to the competition. I personally don’t like it after using it.

[@ThisGuyRides]

Ford and Honda have almost as long a track record, and H/K have been producing hybrid long enough to be at least competitive.

[@MaGiKRat420]

​@ThisGuyRides yeah people need to stop comparing everything to Toyota and start viewing hyundai cars on their own merits.

[@Kered-9]

​@@MaGiKRat420 Exactly. The people that are always in the comments (Toyota fan boys and girls) hating on Kia and Hyundai are not interested in buying them anyway. They are just trolls with nothing better to do.

[@MaGiKRat420]

@jessesilverchannel yeah. I mean, we know Toyota/Lexus cars are the most reliable and all, but the Rav4 and Venza are not the best suvs in their class. It's like you mention that, and they freak out, like they can't stand that there is competition for a change.

[@derpcakesies]

Hope they eventually make a hatch tonneau for this. Its about the only gripe i have with owning this car

[@NotSoFast71]

I just picked up a 2024 Niro EX. I love it so far. But I do find it strange that the base model comes with a smaller screen and wireless Apple car play, while the higher end EX has a larger screen but only wired car play.

[@shopwithaaron]

Can't even think what the corolls cross interior looks like....they haven't done a good interior since...? Thanks KIA!

[@nodak81]

A nice interior doesn't make a car reliable. People's priorities are screwed up when it comes to cars.

[@dwilliams4558]

Love seeing these on the road. Thought about getting one but there’s so many options now

[@nodak81]

Just my opinion but I'd avoid the Korean hybrids. That DCT transmission is going to be bad news later in the car's life.

[@derekgaliee4351]

​@@nodak81 Hyundai Won Weather Tech Racing Series with The Dual Clutch Automatic transmissions Beating Audi Porsche BMW Toyota Honda

[@madlucio70]

I was really disappointed to hear that 2023 was the final year for the Crosstrek PHEV. I was extremely lucky to have found and purchased my 2023 Crosstrek PHEV and I absolutely love it! I really hope that they consider PHEVs again in the future, but it seems that they are opting more towards pure Hybrids and full BEVs for now. I live in Quebec and I cannot tell you how nice it was to be able to run in full EV while in the city, but also always have the piece of mind in extreme cold due to my petrol Boxer since I drive over 500 km a week specifically on highways.

[@afcgeo882]

You understand that Crosstrek is a Subaru and this is a Kia, right?

[@madlucio70]

@@afcgeo882 Did you watch the video? He talked about the Crosstrek Hybrid being discontinued. I responded to that point.

[@afcgeo882]

@@madlucio70 No, you just really wanted to talk about yourself.

[@cindykeselowski899]

Trying to decide between this or a 2024 Kona Limited non-hybrid with 190 hp. My biggest concern is will this vehicle deliver enough punch/acceleration? And on the highway at 75 mph what kind of mpg can I expect? Thank you!

[@rajatdixit007]

pretty good power at 75mph, you can also put in sport mode do downshift/upshift. You can expect around 45-50MPG at 75mph, at 60mph its around 53-55MPG

[@RigiLiquid945]

As a Niro Hybrid driver, I only use sport mode when I need to accelerate quickly, like going onto the highway from a stop sign, and getting up to the normal speed of traffic. This car is all about efficiency, and is not really a fast car.

[@michaelsmith9308]

Any of these latest versions are actually very very nice in person, ESPECIALLY in bright white.O...M..........G! SWEET........outstanding gas mileage and rear seat big enough to qualify as a LIMO:).

[@editz01]

So that's 9.5 seconds in Eco or Sport mode?

[@davidpaisley9949]

Likely ECO. It is deceptive, feels faster. i occasionally use sport mode getting onto a highway. It dows give a nice boost.

[@dw8555]

Great job!!

[@remzomehinovic4571]

Love the look and the space just worried about the dependability

[@jowens4883]

Good review. Where was your test drive?

[@madlucio70]

I love the new Prius and would likely choose that over the other options for the day to day and use my PHEV Trek for the heavy lifting each week.

[@rickperoni250]

I want to drive the Prius because usually the Hyundais and Kia’s drive a lot better than Toyota

[@scottduncanphotography1671]

the scratches and fingerprints are nowhere near as bad as the glare from that gloss. wish they did that in mat instead

[@diablo21st]

That pixelated Honeycrisp apple got me.

[@bepowerful2160]

Agree all around. I bought 24 niro lowest trim and own a 16 Prius. I like the Kia very much and I think the safety package is better than Toyota. Now they don’t offer rear vent for back on lowest trim and it is a dual clutch transmission so I’m a test dummy for the family. no shifters is okay w me. I prefer this dash to the separate elevated displays like Rav 4. In fact the new Camry won’t have it any longer and the Crown doesn’t either. I live in a snowy place and have driven front wheel drive over snow covered roads wo problem. It’s tires and drive style more than anything isn’t it? Prius dash is AWFUL.

[@flamingspinach]

15:35 a six-speed dual clutch TRANSmiSSION!

[@nightwines]

When comparing the niro to the cross in your summary you missed MPG. While the cross in your review is less expensive it doesn't get anywhere near the MPG of the niro. Cross 45/38 v. niro 53/45. Over the course of a couple of years you will have passed up the amount of extra money you paid for the niro and over the course of several years you will have blown it out of the water. Even more so if you were to purchase the SX non-touring model which gets 53/54! It should also be noted that the SX non touring is only missing a couple things on it compared to the touring model. So if you purchase just the SX it is now less then the cross. And of course there is the Kia warranty which is much better than the Toyota. Now a word about horsepower, these cars are grocery getters nothing more. Try driving a 400+ vintage mustang or my buddies 800+ late model mustang. That's horsepower!

[@brocklanders6969]

The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid really isn't an option due to Toyota's intentional low inventory games. If you can find one, the dealer will act like they are doing you a favor selling it to you -- that's after their markups.

[@CRVgarage]

I don't understand. Does Niro has an elevated seating just like Sportage & Rav4 or does it feel like you are sitting in a sedan??

[@danhall3450]

It is not as elevated as Sportage or Rav4 but higher than sedans. Seating position is definitely upright and driver's seat can be adjusted for height.

[@jayhiggins5239]

Odd that the DCT recall applies to every Kia/Hyundai except the Hybrid Kona. (Only the high HP Kona N) Will the problem eventually hit the lower HP power trains?

[@Per-MichaelJarnberg]

How fuel efficient are the Honda CRV’s hybrid and 1.5l turbo engines

[@chrismv102]

Wireless Carplay?

[@TotallyJoel]

Wireless carplay is very inconsistent, dont get why people want it.

[@oi32df]

Would have just preferred that to the new Prius . This kia box houses more. What is this obsession with Awd , I am in canada and never needed this.

[@MartinStockel-k6f]

Don't care for the headrest design with the hook behind it. Also, I think the taillights should be mounted higher on the body as you pointed out.

[@akhossain]

I don’t understand why car manufacturers on hybrids give small gas tanks! I wanna go to the gas station as less as possible. I understand cost is same but still less trip to gas station.

[@friscosbt.2408]

pl. do find my clarification in comments

[@davidpaisley9949]

Most cars are set up for 400 miles. The Niro will an 11 gal tank will go 500 miles.

[@GodManCan]

A larger tank full of gas would add weight to the vehicle. So the engineers most likely decided that in their calculations.

[@danymanchster1759]

i think you need a better decibel meter. all the cars you guys test are between 70-72. that does not make much sense.

[@naveenthemachine]

The Kia looks cooler outside and inside than the corolla cross. The niro is far more interesting than the corolla and it has much better quality than the corolla cross

[@scott8919]

And the Cross is the better car for some because the Niro doesn't offer AWD or the ride height.

[@johnborges5938]

They both look pretty unremarkable to my eye. The Kia has a roomier interior and better economy numbers; the Toyota will likely hold up better if you plan on keeping it 5+ years. Good to have options in this price class.

[@Hallowsaw]

Cross shop niro vs civic hatch and prius not corolla cross... more aligns with those competitors

[@davidpaisley9949]

I test drove the new Civic, Elantra, and Niro and picked the Niro.

[@bikingmoments]

Brian you really need to get the noise number aligned with what Alex is measuring. This seems consistently confusing viewers i.e. there’s no way to compare different models objectively.

[@TeezhoSwag]

Tight ahhh shirt

[@rinbine2713]

Kia Niro Hybrid passed 82km/h in moose test. Search KM77. So, It has good handling and dynamics.

[@davidpaisley9949]

I find the steering quite taut at highway speeds. Not at all wishy washy.

[@dexterbladek6149]

That is so true!! I didn’t watch the clip!! But that is so true!!

[@ronaldderooij1774]

The Mitsubishi Mirage has left the chat. The Mirage does (in my hands) ON AVERAGE 53 mpg, not "up to" 50 mpg. Measured over 80.000 miles.

[@insainllama]

I’ll take a small mpg hit over dealing with a horrific driving experience.

[@ajicycles]

Yeah but it’s a Mitsubishi Mirage

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

If you are getting 53 mpg out of a 39 mpg rated Mirage, you’ll be getting 70+ out of this…

[@ronaldderooij1774]

@@AAutoBuyersGuide Maybe, try it. But I don't believe it can be done.

[@bsxboy]

@ronaldo go for a test drive! Sometimes they give them out for a couple of hours, a day ...

[@Galvezerick]

Not sure it's a Corolla Cross competitor more like a Prius competitor.

[@Unchainedmaple888]

The sea of gloss black in the interior is horrendous. Car manufacturers need to stop with this gloss black cancer.

[@dygardion9130]

This is…. Wow…. It’s something Also no the signals in the bumper on a low car are a dumb design period 😊

[@captrans]

Great job lying for Kia !! this car gets no where to mpg ratings unless you drive like grandpa 55mph. Best i got in sx touring is 37.8 combined and 42 hwy going 75-80 mph. This car was driven mild compared to my Cmax thats gets same mpg. This car is worse than my escape hybrid i own which is bigger and has bigger engine. Awesome car in tech and space but going for sale!

[@derekgaliee4351]

A lot of Tester Complaining about Hard Plastic. Must be young I remember dashboards were Mental. I don't understand what the problem with hard plastics ??? Cost savings & Economy Affordable vehicles. Not every needs & can afford $40,000.00 ++++ Vehicle

[@falkin42]

Hatch is a stretch.

[@RobTheSeer]

Belle Isle

[@waryinzero]

Has Kia solved their ignition key problems? Or will future car thieves also be able to enjoy the gas savings?

[@nycbjr]

That was for certain low spec older models most (including the niro) have immobilizers now.

[@firstcitytraveler]

My 2019 Kia Niro Touring came with start button and Kias and Hyundais with those have immobilizers.@@nycbjr

[@bradybisgard]

New Prius is much more attractive than this

[@naveenthemachine]

Bit severely compromised and overpriced.

[@drury2d8]

bye bye GDI

[@Ben-bs4od]

Hyundai and Kia needs a new design team. They are getting as bad as Honda was for the past 10 years. Every small hatchback they make is ugly.

[@naveenthemachine]

Nah. Hyundai Kia are making bold risk taking designs.

[@derekgaliee4351]

They Look nothing like Honda & Toyota.

[@Swindy1794]

I just got out of work today and I’m following a fairly new Kia …. Burning oil! Now that could be from neglect but I’m not interested in spending thousands for a vehicle and have it junk in 3 years time.

[@derekgaliee4351]

What ????