2020 Kia Niro Review

Name: 2020 Kia Niro Review
Brand: Kia

Price Range: $14,998 - $22,998

+38

The 2020 Niro provides a comfortable, relatively spacious cabin that's better equipped than most other rival hybrids. It's not as fuel-efficient as the segment leaders such as the Toyota Prius, but it makes up for it with appealing technology features, including some of the best advanced driving aids in the class.

See all features & specs

Price & Payment

22 cars

$17,711 avg. price

Min$

Max$

See listings

Appraise My 2020 Kia Niro

2020 Kia Niro for sale near you

3 of 22 listings

LX Hybrid 4dr SUV
MSRP: $12,100
195 mi away
LX Hybrid 4dr SUV
MSRP: $16,995
113 mi away
LX Hybrid 4dr SUV
MSRP: $14,998
60 mi away

See all 22 listings

Kia Niro model years

Kia Niro for Sale

2020 Kia Niro Review

byCameron Rogers^{Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

Pros

Plenty of features for your money
Nimble handling
Roomy interior with comfortable seats

Cons

All-wheel drive isn't available despite SUV marketing and styling
Slow acceleration

What's new

Restyled headlights, foglights and grille
Newly available 10.25-inch touchscreen
More advanced traffic-adaptive cruise control system
Part of the first Kia Niro generation introduced for 2017

Overview

The 2020 Kia Niro is a solid pick for a fuel-efficient vehicle. It stands out from rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq and Toyota Prius with its SUV-like styling. You don't get much more than the styling — there's no all-wheel drive available, for instance, and its cargo space is fairly modest. But it nonetheless provides plenty of value and right around 50 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Kia Niro LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.88 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$71/mo

$156/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

For 2020, Kia has given the Niro a variety of updates, including updated styling, more standard features for certain trims, and a newly available 10.25-inch infotainment display. How does it all stack up? Is it better than a Toyota Prius? Check out our Expert Rating on the Niro to find out.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.7

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7/10

How does the Niro drive? The Niro isn't going to thrill you. In our testing we measured 0-60 mph in 9.7 seconds. That's a tad slow but enough to get you where you're going. The dual-clutch automatic transmission is somewhat slow to shift, but it's smooth and jerk-free. We prefer it to the conventional continuously variable transmissions that most hybrids are equipped with.

The steering is direct and has an appropriate amount of heft to it, which makes it easy to maneuver the Niro on the highway or around a parking lot. Unfortunately, the steering is devoid of road feedback. That last part only matters because the Niro's handling is surprisingly nimble but less engaging because it lacks connection. Emergency-stopping performance is lackluster, but at least the brakes are relatively easy to control for smooth stops on your daily commute.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the Niro? The Niro is pretty comfortable overall. The front seats feature optional heat and ventilation, a rarity in this class, and are supportive with firm cushioning. The rear seats are decently comfortable as well.

The Niro rides smoothly over most surfaces, making it a pleasant commuter. The cabin remains fairly quiet at highway speeds, though you'll likely hear the engine working hard when you accelerate with gusto. The dual-zone climate control system is simple to use and works effectively with rear vents helping to distribute airflow to backseat passengers.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? The Niro's interior is functional, and passenger space is excellent for a car of this class. The driver's seat has enough adjustability to accommodate a wide range of body types. Rear passengers will find the quarters to be pretty roomy, and all door openings are about as generous as it gets for this class.

Visibility is pretty good for the most part, but a larger rear window would help when backing up. Overall, the blind spots are minimal. The controls are clearly labeled, arranged logically and easy to use. The available 10.25-inch screen has crisp and legible graphics and is responsive to inputs. In higher trims there's also a large driver information display in the gauge cluster.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? Bluetooth pairing is quick, and smartphones can be connected with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The voice controls are basic in functionality but work well. The available Harman Kardon audio system produces pleasing sound quality.

The navigation system is quick to respond and spreads across the widescreen for Apple CarPlay while Android Auto makes do with a split screen. We like that a number of advanced safety and driver aids come standard, one trim up from the base. Adaptive cruise control worked well in our testing, as did all other safety functions. Our only complaint was the overly sensitive lane-keeping system.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The Niro's rear cargo space has 19.4 cubic feet of space available behind the rear seats. That's a respectable amount of space, even though the Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq can hold a little more. It's easy to load cargo and the rear seats fold flat.

Up front, you'll find a decent number of places to store your small items. All four doors feature pockets and water bottle holders. The main cupholders can accommodate bigger cups and bottles too. The front cubby that houses the available wireless charger can hold larger phones but gets blocked by the gear shifter when you put it in park.

Got kids? We've found that it's pretty easy to install child safety seats thanks to the Niro's roomy rear seat and easily accessible seat anchors.

Fuel Economy

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The base model Niro is the most efficient trim at an EPA-estimated 50 mpg combined (52 city/49 highway). Though undeniably frugal, it is near the bottom of the hybrid class that includes models such as the Prius and the Honda Insight. The midtier Touring gets the worst gas mileage at 43 mpg (46 city/40 highway) due to its larger 18-inch wheels. We weren't able to match the EPA estimates during our testing of a Niro EX Premium.

Value

8/10

Is the Niro a good value? The Niro offers good value in this hybrid market. It might not be the cheapest model out there, but you get a lot for your money. And the Niro feels well built despite some drab interior surface plastics and a shiny black dash that's a bit of a smudge-magnet.

Kia's warranty is one of the best in class. It includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties. The hybrid battery also carries a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. Roadside assistance is provided for five years/60,000 miles.

Wildcard

7.5/10

The Niro can prove to be kind of entertaining on twisty roads as long as you aren't expecting a lot of speed. It's effective and comfortable when in its element, which is primarily dealing with the daily commute, and its compact nature makes it easy to park and maneuver through traffic.

The Niro is more conservative in its styling than rivals, but it's also less polarizing. We appreciate the design for its simplicity and not trying to be something more radical than it is. But we also don't consider this an SUV — it's a hatchback.

Which Niro does Edmunds recommend?

We think the Touring represents the sweet spot in the Niro lineup. It won't break the bank, and features such as heated mirrors and adaptive cruise control are useful to have. The power driver's seat allows you to dial in your perfect position, while paddle shifters make the Niro a little more fun to drive. Just be aware that fuel economy is lower with this trim level (43 mpg combined).

Compare 2020 Kia Niro trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2020 Kia Niro models

The 2020 Kia Niro is a five-passenger hatchback/small SUV available in five trims. Every Niro comes with a four-cylinder hybrid electric powertrain that's good for 139 horsepower. That power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Feature highlights for the Niro include:

LX
The Kia Niro's base trim starts you off with:

16-inch wheels
Roof rails
Dual-zone automatic climate control
8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Six-speaker audio system

LXS
Adds a variety of features such as:

Keyless entry and ignition
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (alerts you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)
Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (automatically steers the car back into its lane if the Niro begins to drift over the lane marker)

Touring
The Touring includes everything above, plus:

18-inch wheels
Sunroof
Paddle shifters
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Cloth and leather combination upholstery
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Niro and the car in front)

Touring Special Edition
Available only in unique shades of light blue or orange, the Touring Special Edition further adds:

LED headlights
Leather upholstery
10.25-inch touchscreen
8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system

EX Premium
The range-topping EX Premium doesn't include the Special Edition's LED headlights or unique paint. It also rides on 16-inch wheels. Otherwise, all other features are included, as are:

Heated steering wheel
Heated and ventilated front seats
Simulated leather upholstery
Wireless charging pad
Rear parking sensors
Cargo cover (optional on all other models)

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

See pricing history

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#3 out of 6 among Alternative Fuel Vehicles

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Kia Niro from 2008-2022.}

$377/yr

vs. $377/yr
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.38x/yr

vs. 0.52x/yr
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

8.3%

vs. 8.3%
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Kia Niro Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.1

40 reviews

5(55%)

4(22%)

3(10%)

2(5%)

1(8%)

Write a vehicle review See all 40 reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Could have been the best

Rick, 11/25/2019

2019 Kia Niro LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)

We bought a Niro LX for $21,000 + tax. Here are the highlights and low lights. Amazing MPG - I'm getting over 60 mpg. Price without leather was great...$21,000. The sports mode turns this into A SUPER FAST sports car. (No kidding...it will blow almost anything away for 20 yards.) I couldn't believe it. Now the bad... The front seat sucks but a good cushion will fix it. The ride is a bit …

best of both world

Johnny K, 09/01/2019

2019 Kia Niro S Touring 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)

I have a S-Touring; 51+MPG commuting in DC traffic, nice entertainment system with Android Auto [must have], nice comfortable seats, nice interior design and overall quality. traded in RX350 and now I am saving $1300 a year just on gas and I have all the capacity I need with roof-box and hitch cargo carrier. rock solid reliability after 40k on ODO on same tires and brakes to boot. DTC is …

Best hybrid for the price

Karin, 11/01/2019

2019 Kia Niro LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)

Just bought our second Kia Niro. We got one 11 months ago and are so crazy about it, that my husband and I argued about whose turn it was to take it. So I went out and bought my own. Gas savings are fabulous and it's very roomy and comfortable. Love the price, too.

The Niro is a Hero

Dave Miller, 11/27/2018

2019 Kia Niro LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)

This is a great commuter vehicle. I am consistently getting better than the advertised average gas mileage at almost 55 MPG. It is a very comfortable vehicle even for me being larger than most people. The technology is outstanding and well laid out on the dashboard. I have the back seats down most the time to take advantage of the extra cargo space. I have to admit it was a big …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Kia Niro, so we've included reviews for other years of the Niro since its last redesign.

See all 40 reviews of the Kia Niro

Write a vehicle review

2020 Niro Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$24,590
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	50 MPG
Cost to Drive	$71/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Niro models:

Blind Spot Detection System: Detects and alerts you with visual and audio warnings when a vehicle in the adjacent lane is in your blind spot.
Smart Cruise Control: Maintains a set speed and interval behind the car ahead and will bring the car to a stop briefly before relinquishing control.
Lane Keeping Assist: Identifies lane markings and corrects the steering if you begin to drift out of your lane.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger3 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat4 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover12.1%

People who viewed this also viewed

Kia Sportage Hybrid
4.7 average Rating out of 12 reviews.
Starting at $28,790

See Kia Sportage Hybrid Inventory

Hyundai Tucson
4.2 average Rating out of 37 reviews.
Starting at $28,705

See Hyundai Tucson Inventory

Honda CR-V
4.2 average Rating out of 90 reviews.
Starting at $30,100

See Honda CR-V Inventory

2020 Kia Niro Review

Price & Payment

2020 Kia Niro Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Kia Niro LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.88 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Niro does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Kia Niro models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Kia Niro Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Could have been the best

best of both world

Best hybrid for the price

The Niro is a Hero

2020 Niro Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2020 Kia Niro info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Kia

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Kia Niro LX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.88 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}