Used 2020 Kia Niro EV

For 2020, the Kia Niro lineup returns with a 3-model range: a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and an electric (EV). All three share the same body and features, with new exterior styling at the front and rear of each. Unlike some other hybrids that sport a futuristic design, the 2020 Niro remains rather unassuming. It’s attractive and functional, with a large hatchback and a roomy interior.

However, up against hybrid rivals like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, as well as all-electric challengers such as the Nissan Leaf and inter-family rival the Hyundai Kona EV, the little Niro has its work cut out.

Regrettably, Kia continues to make many of the Niro’s driver assists optional, and it has nothing to challenge the all-wheel-drive version of the Toyota Prius or Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. On the plus side, the most efficient hybrid model earns a 50-mpg combined fuel-economy rating, while the EV model can travel up to 239 miles on a single charge. Add in a generous standard-equipment list, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and fairly good resale and reliability ratings, and the 2020 Kia Niro starts to look like a pretty good deal.

Kia wanted to be sure its hybrid kept pace with the company’s sporty image, so it injected the Niro with a nimble platform that feels as good in the turns as it does the open highway. Despite its 139 horsepower and 3,000-pound weight, the Niro accelerates briskly. Setting the drive mode to Sport sharpens the throttle response, improves the 6-speed automatic’s shift points and firms up the steering. Available shift paddles are new this year and allow the driver to better control both shift points and regenerative braking.

We like that Kia has avoided the trend toward using a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) in its hybrid, a decision that doesn’t seem to have affected fuel economy. The 1.6-liter engine and electric motor work seamlessly together, and you’d be hard-pressed to know you’re driving a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, that is, until the electric motor goes solo. In town, the Niro feels right at home, with a tight turning radius and helpful assists such as the standard rearview camera and available rear cross-traffic alert.

As an all-electric vehicle, the new Kia Niro EV is remarkably quiet — remember, there’s no gasoline engine, and none of the noise and vibration that come with one. With the battery pack mounted low and between the axles, the Niro EV also feels well-planted. It’s pretty quick, too, with Kia pegging the Niro EV’s 0-60-mph time at 7.8 seconds. Electric vehicles are blessed with instant acceleration and loads of torque, and these traits are on full display in the Niro EV.

A number of years ago, Kia’s interior design went from frumpy to fantastic, and the cabin of the 2020 Kia Niro is one of the finest in its class. The design is clean and simple with an upscale feel and high-quality materials. The layout is intuitive, and all of the controls work with precision. Seat comfort is excellent, and the 6-speed automatic is controlled with a conventional shifter on the console, which is a good thing.

A rethought digital instrument cluster with improved drive-mode graphics is new this year, as is the availability of steering-wheel paddle shifters, an electronic parking brake and 6-color mood lighting. There’s a handy open bin with USB and power ports ahead of the shifter, and the Niro’s audio and climate controls are smartly situated.

There’s plenty of rear-seat headroom and legroom for 6-footers, and the 60/40-split-folding seatback adds valuable cargo/passenger flexibility.

While many may see the 2020 Kia Niro as a wagon or hatchback, the company actually considers it a compact-crossover SUV. As such, the exterior design incorporates rugged features like black plastic wheel arches and a simulated rear skidplate. New this year is a revised front end with a new grille and headlight design set off by dual chevron-shaped LED daytime running lights. Around back are larger LED taillights while new 16- and 18-inch wheels give a sporty impression.

In total, the design gives the Niro a more substantial look than the Toyota Prius or Hyundai Ioniq, but not quite as rugged as the off-road-capable Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. Nice touches like body-colored door handles and mirror caps make even the most basic trim look high class, although you’ll have to move up to the mid-level Touring if you want those snazzy new 18-inch wheels.

The EV gets revised headlights and LED taillights, and while it looks identical to the hybrid, its roof is actually about an inch higher.

10.25-INCH TOUCHSCREEN
This optional infotainment screen offers a clear, bright view of all the Niro’s infotainment features. Kia’s setup is easy to use and understand, with a combination of touchscreen and hard-button controls that offer intuitive operation of the audio, smartphone apps and navigation system.

SPORT MODE
Driving a hybrid doesn’t always mean driving a slug. If you’re willing to sacrifice a tiny bit of fuel economy, the Niro’s Sport Mode changes throttle response for quicker acceleration. It also firms up electric power steering and quickens transmission shift points.

The 2020 Kia Niro lineup begins with the LX trim that includes the most fuel-efficient hybrid-engine setup. It also comes standard with keyless entry and push-button start, a tilt/telescopic steering column, 4.2-inch LCD supervision meter cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, an 8-inch touch screen with rearview camera, Bluetooth phone connectivity, dual-zone automatic climate control and cruise control just to name a few.

Jump to the LXS trim and you’ll get a full complement of driver assists including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Touring trim adds adaptive cruise control, lane-follow assist, UVO link (Kia’s telematics system), a power sunroof and 10-way-power driver’s seat. The Touring Special Edition includes leather seating, the 10.25-inch touch screen, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, voice-activated navigation and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The top line EX Premium trim includes wireless phone charging, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and rear parking assist. Oddly, the EX Premium forgoes leather for a simulated substitute and is fitted with smaller 16-inch alloy wheels with partial wheel covers.

The Kia Niro employs a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 43-horsepower tractive motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission. Together, the two units produce a combined 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. A quick-shifting 6-speed dual-clutch automatic improves performance without sacrificing fuel economy. Fuel economy on the LX, LXS and EX Premium exceeds 50 mpg in the city, although the slightly heavier and less aerodynamic Touring grades see about a 5-mile-per-gallon drop-off.

The Niro Plug-in Hybrid gets a larger battery pack and separate electric motor, allowing an all-electric range of 26 miles and combined fuel-economy rating of 46 mpg/105 MPGe.

The Kia Niro electric vehicle has a big, 64-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor that makes 201 horsepower and a robust 291 lb-ft of torque. While you can technically charge it on a 120-volt wall outlet, you probably won’t want to regularly as it takes an estimated 59 hours. A Level 2, 220-volt charger cuts that time to about 9.5 hours. At its best, a DC fast charger can juice the Niro EV to 80 percent in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Kia Niro Hybrid
1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine + 1.56-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery
139 horsepower (gas/electric combined)
195 lb-ft of torque (gas/electric combined)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 52/49 mpg (LX), 51/46 mpg (LXS, EX Premium), 46/40 mpg (Touring, Touring SE)

Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
1.6-liter Atkinson cycle inline-4
104 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm
109 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
44.5-kW Interior-Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
60 horsepower, 125 lb-ft of torque
Total system output: 139 horsepower, 195 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 46/44 mpg/105 MPGe

Kia Niro EV
Permanent magnet synchronous motor
64-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
201 horsepower combined
291 lb-ft torque combined
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 123/102 MPGe
Range on a full electric charge: 239 miles