2023 Kia Niro Distinguished by 3 Levels of Electrification—Hybrid, PHEV, EV

• The budget-priced ($27,785) 2023 Kia Niro hybrid still produces 139 hp from its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a six-speed DCT and 1.6-kWh battery pack.

• The Niro Plug-in Hybrid ($35,035) is much more potent than before, offering 180 total system horsepower (up 41 hp) and able to travel 33 all-electric miles, up 7 miles over the last one.

• The Niro EV (pricing not yet available) has an even 200 hp and gains 14 miles of range from its 64.8-kWh pack for an EPA estimated range of 253 miles.

When it comes to electrification, Kia has its bases covered with the EV6, the soon-to-drop 576-hp GT model, and next year’s seven-passenger EV9. The 2023 Niro might be all-new, but the company has maintained the old model’s distinctive three-powertrain model lineup—hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric.

EV evangelicals might wonder, aren’t we supposed to be moving toward a purely electrified future? But for the low-priced Niro, this three-pronged strategy ensures there’s a level of electrification for every need and every wallet. Considering the industry is still very much in the transition, that seems like a fair bet.

Although the powertrains for the new Niro are similar to the outgoing model, they’ve all been upgraded. The budget-priced ($27,785) hybrid offers the fewest changes. It still produces 139 hp from its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a six-speed DCT and 1.6-kWh battery pack. But thanks to powertrain and aerodynamic improvements, the hybrid can now hit a solid 53 mpg combined and travel 588 miles on a tank of fuel.

The Plug-in Hybrid ($35,035) is much more potent than before, offering 180 total system horsepower (up 41 hp) from the 1.6-liter four cylinder, six-speed DCT, 88-hp electric motor, and 11.1-kWh battery pack. The new PHEV can travel 33 all-electric miles, up 7 miles over the previous one.

Finally, the Niro EV (pricing not yet available) has an even 200 hp and gains 14 miles of range from its 64.8-kWh pack for an EPA estimated range of 253 miles. And the Niro EV can charge that pack from 10% to 80% in under 45 minutes using DC Level 3 fast charging at a maximum of 85 kW. That’s not quite as quick as some newer EVs, like Kia’s own EV6, but still respectable for an EV in this price class.

No matter the model, the drive experience is vastly improved over the old version. The Niro rides on Kia and Hyundai’s new K3 platform, shared with the Hyundai Elantra. These are, indeed, very good bones. Dimensionally, the Niro grows slightly, with overall length up by 2.5 inches and a wheelbase stretched by almost an inch. It’s slightly wider too but no taller than before. And all that gives the Niro a more substantial and planted stance.

The old Niro’s cute-but-frumpy design is history. This new one is handsome, edgy, and downright cool. Yes, that contrasting color Aero Blade bisecting the C-pillar is a bit polarizing, but I think the look works here. It reminds me of the Audi R8, plus it’s functional. The blade actually funnels air beneath the taillamp to improve airflow. And the Niro is slippery, achieving a drag coefficient of 0.29.

And there’s a ton of standard equipment including dual-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as well as a massive suite of safety equipment including forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. There are dual USB ports on the seatbacks, for passengers in the back.

Our test hybrid model came with heated and ventilated seats as well as the Touring package, which blacks out the trim and includes 18-inch wheels and tires, aluminum pedals, a sunroof, full LED headlamps, and power folding mirrors. Those larger tires dial back the fuel-economy rating to 49 mpg.