Used 2017 Kia Niro Touring SUV Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Kia Niro Touring SUV.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Update: Reliable Hybrid Keeps on Keeping On at 40k
J.D., Portland, OR, 03/01/2017
2017 Kia Niro Touring 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
OK, this little miracle car has crossed the 40K barrier with nary a squeak or rattle. I have no idea if other Kias are screwed together as well as this one, but this is one phenomenal piece of engineering and construction. I have to admit that the Niro is now sharing a garage with a Hyundai Kona Ultimate EV, and the Hyundai has stolen some of its thunder. Still, when I fill up the Niro. … and it shows over 500 miles of range, it is an a category that all EVs will only aspire to for a while. And when you drive them side by side, sure, the EV is smoother, faster, quieter . . . but there's no range anxiety with the Niro, and given that gas stations will be with us for quite some time, and batteries sand charging remain at least somewhat problematic, our Niro will still see plenty of service as our long-distance champion.
Third update: approaching 30K miles. Still zero problems. Mileage is going up. Now averaging 46-48 mpg under all driving conditions. Slightly higher in the city. Everything is holding together nicely. No squeaks or rattles, and no deterioration of controls or interior surfaces. Still very, very happy.
Second Update: 20K miles, zero problems! Mileage is consistent at 43-44 mpg in all conditions.
UPDATE: We're now at nearly 8K miles. The Niro has been flawless - - zero recalls, zero software updates, and no initial quality problems. Many times it seems like a new car is infatuating, but over time it begins to show its weaknesses. My complaints with the Niro are remarkably minor; our Grand Touring model has shiny black surfaces around the gear shift, and when the sun hits it, there can be glare in my eyes. Solution: keep a baseball cap over the shifter in sunny weather (this may not affect others who are a different height.) And some of the sensors are a bit sensitive; for instance, if the nose of the car is pointing down (say, after crossing a curb) the front parking sensors might start beeping. No biggie; you can temporarily turn them off with the conveniently located switch right in the center shifter area. On the plus side, these sensors will tell you if you're going to scrape the bottom of the car or if you're going to run over a concrete barrier at the front of a parking space.
After several extended road trips, we can pretty much assume that our mileage for both city and highway is consistent at around 45 to 47 mpg, even when driving at 70mph or above for long intervals. The comfort factor has held up, and back seat passengers have made no complaining noises. Cargo capacity is not immense, but the nicely rectangular trunk has few intrusions (holds lots of wine boxes!) Of course the seats go down easily when you need to maximize hauling. We only use Sport mode for entering highways or other "quick" maneuvers, but the extreme boost in torque and power is very handy and we have never felt the car is underpowered. Additional pluses: great turning circle; easy to park because of size and auto-dipping side mirrors as well as a backup camera that both shows the steering angle and the actual rear bumper of the car; excellent integration with Car Play from Apple (now with Google Maps.) Air conditioning is fast and efficient, even on 100 degree days. - - - Initial review follows. - - -
The Kia Niro may not be the car for everyone, but is certainly the right car at the right time for us. Many great comfort features, including a heated steering wheel; heated AND ventilated front seats; adjustable power back bolster in the driver's seat; auto folding and dipping rear view mirrors; HID projector headlights; and a host of safety features. The Touring version includes both front and rear parking sensors, a rare find even at twice the price. There's adaptive cruise control, cross traffic detection, Lane Departure warning and collision and pedestrian warning (but no auto-braking or auto steering correction.) The seats are firm but surprisingly comfortable, and the ride is pretty quiet (Touring has more sound proofing packed into it.) The wheelbase is stretched out with the wheels at the corners, for a more supple ride than you'd expect. Apple and and Google Maps plus Spotify and more are delivered via Car Play (also has Android Auto.) This is not a powerful automobile, but with the Sport mode you harness the combined power of both electric and gas motors for a substantial boost when needed via a flick of the gear lever to the side - - great for entering freeways, or for a burst of passing power. In sum, if you're sick of burning through tons of gas, and having to visit the station more often than you'd like, the Niro is the ideal solution, and provides enough comfort and utility to cover most of the bases for singles, couples and small families. It is not really an SUV so much as a "tall wagon" but does carry quite a substantial load with the seat down. It's slightly smaller size and very tight turning circle compared to many SUVs makes it far easier to maneuver and park in urban situations.
Flawed operational system in Niro
Janet F, Rocky Hill, NJ, 03/14/2017
2017 Kia Niro Touring 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
On 2/27/17 I bought a KIA Niro Touring. On 3/6/17 it wouldn't start and needed to be towed. Kia service told me the car was normal but I needed to drive it more to keep the battery charged. This does not seem to be a problem with my particular vehicle, rather a design choice KIA made. I use the car daily for my work commute, errands, etc. though apparently this usage is not adequate … to have a reliable operating vehicle.
Kia does not inform the public the vehicle will not operate unless it has a minimum daily usage time. I bought the car assuming I could use it like any car. As much as I like the idea of an eco-friendly vehicle, I take exception to the concept that it must be driven extra time than my needs dictate to keep the battery charged. The service provider suggested I keep the engine running for 20-40 minutes but can just leave the car locked because of the smart key.
This does not sound smart to me.
I spoke directly with Kia Motors regarding my situation and they stand by their vehicle saying it is normal and the only problem is I am not driving it enough to keep the battery charged. They advised me to drive more. I would not like others to find themselves in my unfortunate situation. Please be mindful before making a purchase.
Niro is not a Zero
Richard Hemstreet, Chelmsford, MA, 02/05/2018
2017 Kia Niro Touring 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
Traded in our Soul for this car. (2014 Black soul) - The Car handles and Drives above expectations. I drive a Hybrid Optima so I am used to be breaking and quarks of a Hybrid, however the wife (who drives the NIro) is getting used to it. The breaks will seem soft to new comers, however they will stop and if you need will stop you with surprisingly response. Cold weather driving will … reduce your Mileage. In the cold the car has to run the gas engine to keep you warm, and the warmer you want to be the lower your Mileage ex - If in the hot weather you normally get 50mpg then in the could expect a 5mpg drop and if you really want to be warm it can dip as much as 7mpg. Of course its all a factor on how cold how long and how you drive but that seems to be the averages I have experienced. Comfort is at volumes in the Niro, Long trips seem to be a breeze. The back seat is comfy and a passenger can relax and enjoy the trip. Noise is easy on the ears and you can hold a conversation from the back to the front without having to yell at each other. If you like to load up and carry everything you will find lots of space to do just that. I would buy another should I find myself looking for another Car. Hope this helps.
Better than a Timex!
Tracey Linkous, Sunbury, NC, 01/18/2018
2017 Kia Niro Touring 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
This past weekend we were traveling to Raleigh for my daughters volleyball tournament, there was some heavy equipment operator on side of the road trimming the trees back, when a piece of the wood kicked back and hit us just above the top of the windshield and the passenger side top of door. Windshield didn't break, so we continued on to the location of the tournament. After we parked … we got out and thought oh my, lets see the damage then we will call our insurance agent. WOW!! Nothing, not even a scratch! So 2 days later, I am on the way to pick up our daughter from school, when someone ran a stop sign and we hit. Driver side rear seat airbag deployed, driver side door airbag deployed, steering wheel airbag deployed and driver side knee airbag deployed. This car has taken a licking and continued on ticking. This car is EXTREMELY safe and with the damage done to my car and I am here to tell you about it is completely amazing to me. I have nothing negative to say about the performance and surely not about the safety of this car.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2017 Kia Niro Touring SUV
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Impressive fuel economy from the base trim model
- Pro:Six-speed transmission shifts like a conventional car's
- Pro:One of the more affordable hybrids in the segment
- Pro:Batteries are hidden under the rear seat and don't affect cargo space
- Con:All-wheel drive isn't offered despite the crossover styling
- Con:Smaller cargo space compared to some rival models
- Con:The Niro's Touring trim sacrifices some fuel efficiency
Which Niro does Edmunds recommend?
Those looking for maximum fuel efficiency will want the base Niro FE, with a combined city/highway fuel economy of 50 mpg. However, we think the additional comfort and convenience of the EX trim with items such as push-button start, heated seats, blind-spot monitoring and optional active safety systems are worth the added cost and only marginally affect overall fuel economy.
Full Edmunds Review: 2017 Kia Niro SUV
Driving
2.5Edmunds instrumented testing confirms the Niro to be quicker than its rival, the Toyota Prius, by a good margin. However, we also found its emergency braking performance to be subpar, and the powertrain tuning on this production model to be far more crude than the model we previously drove.
Comfort
3.5The Niro may not feel luxurious, but there's still a good level of comfort on hand for the daily commute. The seats have sufficient support and powerful heaters, with ventilation available at the Touring level. The biggest strike is the amount of road noise, which could get tiresome on long drives.
Interior
4.0The cabin of the Niro is easy to get in and out of and scores high marks for interior passenger space, driver accommodation and a simple user interface. We might have had a small complaint with rear visibility, but all Niros come with rearview cameras, which makes it a nonissue.
Utility
3.0Compared to a small sedan, the Niro offers an appealing amount of utility for its size. However, when compared to other hybrid hatchbacks or crossover SUVs in the class, it doesn't offer quite as much cargo space or clever cabin storage for small items.
Technology
3.5The Niro is strong on the technology front, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included as standard equipment and a host of available advanced safety systems that aren't even offered on some cars above its class. The Uvo navigation system could use a design update but functions well.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2017 Kia Niro in Ohio is:
not availableLegal