Used 2018 Kia Niro Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Niro, so we've included reviews for other years of the Niro since its last redesign.
Update: Reliable Hybrid Keeps on Keeping On at 40k
J.D., 03/01/2017
updated 09/10/2020
2017 Kia Niro Touring 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
189 of 193 people found this review helpful
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.
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All we expected and more
Retired grandparent, 12/30/2017
2017 Kia Niro LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
40 of 40 people found this review helpful
We are at 10,000 miles and the car has been perfect. In trying to think of something negative, the only two things are that the gasoline engine/exhaust may be noisier than a typical 4-cyl but maybe that only seems that way since the car is so quiet in EV mode. The other thing is that it seems the engine is programmed to kick in when battery charge gets below about 50% and it seems like it should be able to run EV until battery gets lower than that. But how can we complain when we get over 60mpg on most trips. We learned a few things to nurse those extra MPG: When accelerating, keep the fuel economy meter below the halfway mark, when you reach cruising speed, momentarily let off the gas to force the EV mode to kick in, then gently press gas pedal to maintain your speed on battery (If you keep foot on gas pedal, it tends to remain in gasoline mode). When braking, anticipate stops and press brake lightly so that the regen slows down the vehicle without having to use the friction wasting brakes until necessary. Try to avoid high-speed freeway driving (we found MPG really drops above 60-65 MPH). In moderate weather we get over 60 MPG but in cold weather we were only getting 45-50 MPG. For maximum MPG, only use A/C and headlights when necessary, and for short local trips in cold weather, don't turn on the heater (if forces the gasoline engine to run even when your battery us charged in order to produce heat for the passenger compartment. Unless you need defroster, wear your coat and gloves and leave the gasoline engine off. I have recently added a small silicon block heater pad on the underside of the oil pan to warm the engine on cold winter mornings so the engine is warm when starting and doesn't have to run nearly as much to produce heat, and expect our winter MPG will greatly improve.
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Sleeper Hybrid Winner
sal, 07/09/2018
2018 Kia Niro EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
36 of 36 people found this review helpful
We had a Soul that was up on lease. We really liked the Soul, but in primarily city driving, the gas mileage was terrible. Having owned 4 Kia vehicles, beginning with a 2001, Kia Rio, the vehicles keep gaining refinement and great features. Build quality is at it's highest level so far. To the Niro, this car is a perfect Soul Replacement. It feels like it rides high like the Soul, but the gas mileage has been better than estimates. We averaged just over 56 mpg, in mixed driving in the first week. It runs so smoothly, the transition between electric and gas are noticeable, but not a hindrance of any kind. While I doubt we'll win a drag race, the car moves so quietly and easily, you can quickly find yourself over the speed limit. We opted for the mid-range EX, because it had all the tech we wanted. The tech package added leather seats and dash trim, but honestly it was way too much car, and the car as we have it is comfortable and has all but emergency braking. The interior craftsmanship is modern and interfaces are easy to use. I feel Edmunds 3 Star rating sells this vehicle way too short. Granted, I'd agree the mpg drop off for the highest trim level is unfortunate, but the EX, with or without the Tech package, provides more than enough comfort and safety features for the average commuter. I honestly can't wait to get another when our 2nd car is ready to be replaced.
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An Excellent Hybrid Vehicle
Joseph Bristow, 10/11/2017
2017 Kia Niro LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
36 of 36 people found this review helpful
I have driven the 2017 Kia Niro LX for over two months, and I have really come to like the car. I had been driving a 2006 Ford Focus ZX5 (four-door hatchback bought new in 2006), so this was a big step up for me. I found the Niro to be very comfortable with an excellent climate control system. The entertainment system is awesome. Bluetooth connectivity is perfect for local driving, while Android Auto is great for long-distance trips. You don't need a navigation system with Android Auto. Just select the "Maps" button to open a map that shows where you are and traffic in your area. You can get turn-by-turn directions as well. Voice commands work well, and I haven't had any issues with being understood. The cargo area is similar to what my Focus had. It's perfect for groceries and really expands when you put the rear seats down. The glove compartment is a little small, but I don't have a lot of items to store, so it's not much of an issue for me. Acceleration in Eco mode is sluggish, as every review says, but Sport mode gives you the option of beefing up acceleration. I rarely use Sport mode, as I don't care about the slow acceleration. My goal with the Niro is to get the best gas mileage I can. To that end, I get about 45 mpg, measured by taking the number of miles I've driven divided by the amount of gas I put in the car (I stop filling when the pump handle pops). That is far better than I ever got in my old Focus, and to be able to go over 400 miles on a single tank is fantastic. Probably the one disappointing thing is the gas mileage I get on short trips. I happen to live within a mile of a commercial center, so getting groceries, eating meals and visiting other stores results in about a 2-mile round trip. I had imagined that the Niro would act like an electric car in that situation, but it doesn't. No matter how gentle I am with the gas pedal, I cannot get it to stay in electric mode during these short trips, which results in 25 to 30 mpg per trip, hurting my overall gas mileage. It's something I do quite often, so I'm hoping that future iterations of the Niro will be better at using electric mode on short trips. Interestingly, the Niro will utilize electric mode quite frequently in stop-and-go traffic, which makes me laugh at the other cars burning gas while I'm drifting along in electric mode. Despite my disappointment, I'm very pleased with the gas mileage I get from my Niro. I leased the Niro because 2017 is the first year for the model and it is my first experience driving a hybrid car. Given how pleased I am with the car, I'll likely turn it in and buy a new Niro when the lease is up.
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Impressed by KIA Yet Again
Justin, 08/10/2018
2018 Kia Niro EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
33 of 33 people found this review helpful
Before getting the Niro, we purchased the KIA Soul in 2014. By far, the KIA Soul was worth the price and extremely reliable (140,000 miles and no problems). This made us decide to purchase our next vehicle from KIA. Yet again, we were not disappointed. The value this car has it truly phenomenal, most cars/suvs with this level of features range in the high 35,000's. The MPG is exceptional too; we've been getting 50 mpg which I believe is quite astonishing. For room, it is basically the same size as the KIA Soul. That being said, at 6'4 person like me will be able to fit in the front & back. The one thing I'd say is a negative is the acceleration. It feels like a 4 cylinder. If you don't have a heavy foot though, this will do just fine. We plan on getting another vehicle in about 6 months, and it's definitely going to be another KIA.
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niro is my hero
mike p, 06/01/2018
2018 Kia Niro LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
54 of 55 people found this review helpful
it's not fast. in fact from a stop light you wont beat anyone. im 52, its plenty peppy for me. took it too nashville tn. (frm nyc) first week and a steady 82 mph is easy, no noise. super comfortable, for both front passengers. you need a smart phone with minimum 6.0 platform for the linkup navigation, google music. tech is very advanced. nav is very good, voice command music is still a challenge to get right. dont know if its googles or kias fault. brakes need a good mash for stopping, spongier than any car ive owned. mpg is 50ish local and 47 on long hiway trips. i like this car. my first hybrid. serviced today and there were 3 recalls, all repaired. brakes, hybrid motor, wire harness. this may be a concern to some. my dealership and service dept are very friendly. id buy a kia again.
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No regrets!
David Dullman, 05/29/2018
2018 Kia Niro Touring 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
41 of 42 people found this review helpful
We have only put on 1000 miles to date. Kia thought of everything and we are really enjoying the comfort and gas mileage. I am totally impressed with the headlights...you can see EVERyTHING ahead and at the sides of the roadway and the back up camera is impressive both during the day and more so at night! My wife feels so much more confident changing lanes with the "blind spot" feature. This is our second Kia and we are thrilled.
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Flawed operational system in Niro
Janet F, 03/14/2017
2017 Kia Niro Touring 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
243 of 257 people found this review helpful
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.
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Niro is not a Zero
Richard Hemstreet, 02/05/2018
2017 Kia Niro Touring 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
23 of 23 people found this review helpful
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.
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Amazed
scott, 11/10/2018
2018 Kia Niro EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)
19 of 19 people found this review helpful
First Kia and/or hybrid owned, and absolutely love it. Steering is tight, grips/leans perfectly into turns, and feels solid and quiet. Acceleration is fantastic when the Power mode shift is used, which is easy and immediately jolts speed upward seamlessly when wanted or needed. Have achieved 560 miles per tankful so far doing only daily commuting and weekend errand runs. Electronics are terrific. Feel inside is comfortable, solid, and quality. Design is subtle style with tasteful lines and angles. Only wishes are that it sat a bit higher (a bit more ground clearance), a bit better floor insulation/noise suppression (slightly noticeable road noise at highway speeds), and the ability to slightly recline rear seats. Overall this is a fantastic car, is well worth the price, and should be much higher rated by Edmunds and other sources. Am also amazed that Kia does not market and advertise this aggressively, since I found it to be clearly the best crossover/small SUV hybrid available now. If Kia decides to produce a hybrid Sportage with this feel, quality, and performance, I will buy one immediately.
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