The Kia Niro stands out in the hybrid SUV world for its smart design, fuel efficiency, and range of powertrain options. Whether you’re considering the standard hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electric version, the Niro offers a smooth ride with plenty of technology and everyday practicality. Buying a used Kia Niro makes it easy to get eco-friendly benefits at a fraction of the cost.
Key takeaways
- No matter which generation you’re looking at, you’ll be able to enjoy the same great mileage no matter what.
- If you’re environmentally conscious, the second generation is the one that you’d want as it comes with a ton of greener trimmings.
- Starting in 2020, the two generations are pretty similar, making it easy to get some of the best features for a cheaper price.
Second Generation (2023-Present)
When this generation hit the market, it focused on being as environmentally friendly as it could be. To do this, they used recycled fibres for the ceiling, and water-friendly paint without benzene, toluene, and xylene was added to the door panel. For the leather seats, these are bio-artificial thanks to them being made from raw materials extracted from eucalyptus leaves.
For the features, you can find a ton of new features, with these being part of the driver assistance system. These are the head-up displays, remote smart parking assistance, rear passenger notification. Another feature that you can find is the smart power tailgate.
Moving on to the powertrains, there’s three options to pick from. There’s the hybrid, plug-in hybrid, as well as electric options. The least efficient option is the base hybrid, as it gets 50 MPG combined. The middle of the road for efficiency is the plug-in hybrid, as this gets 105 MPGe. With the electric vehicle option getting 112 MPGe.
For this generation, the standard touchscreen is 8-inches, while some models will come with a larger 10.3-inch screen. No matter which trim you do find, it will come with wireless phone connectivity, making it easy to stream your favorite songs.
First Generation (2017-2022)
When the first generation came out, it was still trying to find its footing. Thanks to this, the first powertrain that was equipped on this model was the 1.6L I4. Much like the more recent generation, this one came with an EPA rated 50 MPG combined, making it already one of the most efficient options on the market.
Despite already being great, Kia knew they could make it better, and so they did. In 2018, they added both plug-in hybrids, as well as an electric Niro. These have the same specs as the ones in the most recent generation, making it easy to get great mileage, no matter the generation.
Some features that you can find in this generation is the 7-inch infotainment screen, with wired phone connectivity. Which was the only option up until 2020, as this year added a new standard 8-inch screen, with the optional 10.3-inch being added to the line.
Some other features that were added were the two new wheel options, these being 16- and 18-inch wheel designs, which help it stand out from the years before. For the other cosmetic differences, this year saw new headlights, new diamond-patterned grille, and new LED running lights in a double-chevron arrangement.
Which is the best generation for the Kia Niro?
When looking at pre-owned Kia Niro models, the best one is really up to personal preference as the powertrains remain the same across both generations. No matter what you’re looking for though, we want to help. This model is among the most efficient on the market, and if you’re wanting something green, then we invite you to come on down to an Alan Jay location, today!