2023 Kia Niro First Look: Say Goodbye to Boring

• New Kia Niro debuts new looks, fresh interior space.
• Designed for sustainability-conscious consumers.
• Expect it to show up stateside late next year.

Like its predecessor, the 2023 Niro will be available in hybrid, plug-in and full EV forms. No mpg or range estimates were announced with the new Niro, but we assume there will be improvements in all areas. For reference, the current Niro hybrid will get up to 50 mpg combined (53 city/48 highway), and the EV has a maximum range of 239 miles on a single charge.

Inside, the Niro pilfers some goodies from its larger sibling, the EV6. The center console with the knob-like gear selector, dual-screen layout for the upper dashboard, and touch-sensitive HVAC panel look a lot like what we've seen in the EV6. That's no bad thing, though. The current Niro is a size down from the EV6, and we expect the new Niro to follow closely in the footsteps in its forebear. With that in mind, there should be plenty of room for both eco-conscious vehicles in Kia's lineup.

Kia says the new Niro is made with sustainability in mind. "The headlining is made from recycled wallpaper, the seats are made from Bio PU with Tencel from eucalyptus leaves, and BTX [benzene, toluene and xylene] free paint is used on the door panels to minimize the impact on the environment and reduce waste," Kia said in its announcement.

Pricing is, of course, still a mystery. The current Niro hybrid starts at $25,865, while the PHEV begins at $30,765 and the EV costs from $41,165 (all prices include destination and handling charges but not plug-in hybrid/EV incentives). We would be surprised to see those prices change too much when, or if, the new car goes on sale here in the U.S.

Edmunds says

An well-sized EV SUV with good looks and an eco-friendly interior to boot? We say bring it on, Kia.