2025 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

Plug it in overnight and the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid will be ready to travel up to 33 miles solely on electric power. Once those electrons are depleted, it operates like a traditional hybrid, delivering up to 48 mpg. Outside of pure electric vehicles, the Niro Plug-in Hybrid is among the most efficient SUVs on the market.

We’ve also found the Niro Plug-in Hybrid’s interior equally accomplished. It’s surprisingly roomy for passengers and cargo alike, and has a modern feel befitting a long list of impressive features and tech. Roomier than the Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid and more affordable than the larger Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, there’s nothing else quite like the Niro Plug-in Hybrid.

Variations on the Niro theme include a conventional hybrid and a pure EV, which we review separately.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of plug-in hybrid SUVs, including the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid. 

SX Touring trims now come with the Cold Weather package, which adds heated rear seats and a Positive Temperature Coefficient heater to help preserve range.

The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid is priced similarly to the smaller Toyota Prius Prime, with compact SUVs like the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Prime starting on the other side of $40,000.  

Will the Niro Plug-in Hybrid cost you less in the long run than a Niro hybrid? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. Comparing EX trim levels, a new Niro Plug-in Hybrid is priced about $5,000 higher than the Niro. Bringing resale value into the mix drops the difference down closer to $3,000 over a 5-year ownership cycle (you pay more up front, but you recoup more money when you sell it, too). So let’s call it a premium of about $600 per year. But you’ll save about $250 per year in powering the Niro Plug-in Hybrid (using EPA estimates as this is written) so now we’re down to a difference of about $350 per year, or $30 per month. For a quicker, more satisfying little SUV that can drive some days on electricity alone and go months without visiting a gas station? Yes, please.

Before buying the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay.

The 180-horsepower Niro Plug-in Hybrid is sprightly for a small SUV, and notably quicker than the Niro hybrid. It’s not as fast or as fun to drive as the surprisingly sporty Prius Prime, but the steering is responsive, the 6-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, and the brakes have a natural feel, which is not always the case with some hybrid models.  

Out on the highway we’ve found the Niro Plug-in Hybrid as comfortable and smooth as we’d expect from a vehicle of this size and stature. Wider panels at the rear of the vehicle impede rearward visibility a bit, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts are standard. Overall this is an easy, satisfying, and well-sorted way to move about the world. 

Fuel Economy 

The Niro Plug-in Hybrid’s killer app is the ability to travel 33 miles on electricity alone. But returning 48 mpg in hybrid mode is impressive, too. That’s just 1 mpg shy of the less powerful Niro hybrid. It’s also in the same ballpark as the Prius Prime, although the Toyota has an advantage in electric range with the ability to travel up to 44 miles on a full charge. 

Kia has a knack for making simple plastics look good, and the Niro Plug-in Hybrid’s door panels, console, and dash (many made of recycled materials) elevate the practice to an art form. Fit and finish are first-rate, with more contrast and color than in the Prius Prime. We love the easy-to-use touchscreen incorporated into a single panel that houses the digitally recreated speedometer and tachometer. High-end features like the SX trim’s Harman Kardon sound system, heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats make the interior feel even more upscale.   

The Niro Plug-in Hybrid surprises everyone with how roomy it is. Cargo volume is generous at 19.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seat folded down. Rear seat legroom is equally generous at 39.8 inches, nearly four inches more than in the Prius Prime. The Niro has more headroom, too. 

While the Niro’s tall roof and high beltline create the appearance of a compact SUV, they cleverly mask the lack of additional ground clearance and available all-wheel drive commonly associated with even small SUVs. We find the Niro’s design visually appealing, especially when outfitted with the contrasting “Aeroblade” rear quarter panels. 

Drive Wise safety technologies
Every Niro Plug-in Hybrid includes a bundle of safety and driver-aid technologies that help keep your family safe. We think Kia’s adaptation of the technology works exceptionally well on features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane-keep assist, and more. 

Highway Driving Assist
Highway Driving Assist is a driver-assistance technology that can accelerate, brake, and steer the Niro EV under certain conditions with driver supervision. It is standard on both trims.

Dual-screen display
We love the look and functionality of the Niro’s curved display, which houses a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. It could easily appear in the cockpit of a German sedan costing thousands more. 

Harman Kardon audio system
This premium audio system with Clari-Fi sound-enhancement technology and a subwoofer is standard in the SX Touring. 

Digital Key 2.0
We found the convenience of this feature so much more than just being able to unlock and start the Niro from a smartphone or smartwatch. Switching to a new driver can be done via text message, meaning you can share your car with a friend or family member even if you’re a thousand miles away from where it’s parked.  

Proximity Keyless Entry
Another standard feature we applaud is the proximity key fob, which allows you to unlock your Niro simply by touching the door handle. The system also includes a push-button start. 

Powering the Niro Plug-in Hybrid is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gas engine paired with an electric motor and battery pack. Combined, the powertrain makes 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, channeled to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.  

Exceptional Warranty Coverage 

The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid is covered by the automaker’s generous and reassuring 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage, which includes the battery pack and hybrid components. The 5-year/60,000-mile warranty includes 24/7 roadside assistance. This combination of warranty protection is among the best in the industry. 

Modern Safety Tech 

The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid has an impressive list of standard safety tech features, such as enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and rear parking sensors.