2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

How does the Niro Plug-In Hybrid drive? The Niro Plug-in Hybrid's performance numbers aren't particularly impressive. For example, our test vehicle accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds at the Edmunds test track. That's noticeably slower than the Toyota Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime. But the real-world driving experience is just fine for a compact plug-in hybrid SUV. It feels snappy around town and the transmission shifts smoothly. The transition from electric to gasoline power is smooth too.

Likewise, the Niro PHEV's handling is impressive in its overall competence. The steering is fairly accurate, and the Niro maintains its composure on a twisty road and feels stable on the highway. Braking, too, is a pleasing balance of good stopping power and predictable, smooth stopping around town.

How comfortable is the Niro Plug-In Hybrid? The Niro Plug-in Hybrid is quiet and comfortable, with little engine or road noise at highway speeds. The ride is compliant without being overly soft or floaty. The front seats are well shaped and offer decent support, but we found the padding a bit firm. We wouldn't call it uncomfortable, but we hope the seats break in with some more use. The rear seat, too, is a bit firm and flat. Heated seats are standard for the front seats and available for the rear. A heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats are standard on the SX trim.

The standard dual-zone automatic climate control works well, keeping the cabin at a comfortable temperature without blasting the fans the entire time. The vents are well placed, including those for rear passengers. The climate control panel is easy to reach, though you might have to take your eyes off the road to do more than adjust the temperature.

How’s the interior? The Niro Plug-in's interior is cleanly designed and easy to use. All major controls are within easy sight and reach. You rarely have to hunt for a button. The graphics for the touchscreen menu system look a little dated, but the system is relatively easy to use in the end. We like the adjustable panel just below the screen. One press changes the panel from climate controls to media and navigation controls. The temperature knob changes to a volume knob. It takes care of the clutter caused by too many buttons, and we think it's pretty slick.

The Niro features a slightly elevated but still relatively low ride height. That's great for getting in and out as well as for your seating position and visibility. The Niro sits a little taller than the average sedan or hatchback, so the seats aren't a pain to get in and out of. It's easy to find a comfortable driving position, though the steering wheel could use a hair more reach for taller drivers. There's space in both rows for taller passengers, though some rivals offer more rear seat space. The view out of the front is good, though the rear window is a bit narrow. The backup camera's resolution isn't the greatest either.

How’s the storage? Due to the Niro Plug-in's larger battery pack, cargo capacity is slightly smaller than in the standard Niro. That said, there's still a decent amount of capacity for a vehicle of this size. The cargo area is wide and upright, and the 60/40-split rear seats can be folded down to offer even more cargo space. The hatch's dimensions are roughly on par with the Niro's rivals. The flat rear seat floor is nice for even more space if you don't have passengers back there. Storage in the rest of the car is OK but nothing particularly stands out. The door pockets and armrest bin are a bit small, but there are places to store your phone or sunglasses. The cupholders can be tucked away for a little extra utility.

Got little kids? The child safety seat anchors are easy to access, but the rear seat is on the smaller side. Same for the door opening, so installing larger seats might be a bit tricky.

Is the Niro Plug-In Hybrid a good value? The Niro Plug-in is a bit more expensive than a standard small SUV, but overall it seems worth the price considering what you're getting. The Niro PHEV's interior looks nice but isn't particularly premium, but everything felt solid and well put together in our test car.

The Niro PHEV is backed by one of the best warranties on the market. Kia provides a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and battery warranty. The basic warranty covers the car for five years/60,000 miles. Kia also offers five years/60,000 miles of roadside assistance.

Kia has been offering some distinct designs lately, and the latest Niro, in any of its guises, is no exception. It's not as stylish or as sporty as its stablemate, the Kia EV6, but it's a class standout nonetheless. We think it looks better in solid colors than it does with the optional two-tone color scheme, but we like that Kia offers something more interesting than black, white and various shades of gray.

Other plug-in hybrids aren't known for being particularly fun to drive, and while we would never call the Niro engaging, it does offer lots of comfort and convenience, making it an excellent everyday companion.