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Photo of a Kia Niro

Kia Niro

Korea's first hybrid SUV set a 76.6-mpg-US coast-to-coast record in 2016.12

Researched October 28, 2026 from 30 sources

Also called

  • Anti-PriusCar and Driver's label for the 2017 hybrid, whose drivetrain behaves like a conventional gasoline car.3

At a glance

0150300
127–201 hpPower
07.515
7.8–11.5 s0–100 km/h
0100200
155–193 km/hTop speed
0200400
255–395 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,405–1,866 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.258910

Engine
HEV/PHEV: 1.6 L gasoline inline-four plus motor; EV: permanent-magnet motor2
Layout
Front-wheel drive; front engine (HEV/PHEV), front motor (EV)2
Gearbox
HEV/PHEV: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic; EV: single-speed reduction gear28
Built at
Hwaseong Plant, South Korea; Niro Plus: Donghee, Seosan2

The story

Designed for electrification from the outset, the Niro launched in 2016 as Korea's first hybrid SUV, combining hybrid economy with SUV practicality. Plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions followed.124

2016: DE production starts at Hwaseong20162017: U.S. launch: 50 mpg-US for the FE20172018: U.S. PHEV adds 26-mile electric range · Niro EV arrives with two battery sizes20182019: Hybrid/PHEV facelift adds more tech20192021: SG2 revealed in Seoul20212022: SG2 launches; PHEV reaches 65 km WLTP · SG2 EV: 460 km WLTP20222026: Hybrid-only facelift debuts in Korea2026 Kia Niro Concept (KED-10): 2013KED-10Kia Niro (first generation) (DE): 2016–2022DEKia Niro (second generation) (SG2): 2021–presentSG2 20122014201620182020202220242026
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1219
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2013Kia Niro Concept (KED-10)
2016–2022Kia Niro (first generation) (DE)
2021–presentKia Niro (second generation) (SG2)
2016DE production starts at Hwaseong
2017U.S. launch: 50 mpg-US for the FE
2018U.S. PHEV adds 26-mile electric range
2018Niro EV arrives with two battery sizes
2019Hybrid/PHEV facelift adds more tech
2021SG2 revealed in Seoul
2022SG2 launches; PHEV reaches 65 km WLTP
2022SG2 EV: 460 km WLTP
2026Hybrid-only facelift debuts in Korea
  1. 2016

    DE production starts at Hwaseong

    Full production began in May, in South Korea; Euro NCAP awarded four stars with standard equipment and five with the optional safety pack.25

  2. 2017

    U.S. launch: 50 mpg-US for the FE

    The hybrid arrived in FE, LX, EX, Touring and limited Launch Edition trims; EPA combined economy was 50 mpg-US for FE and 43 for Touring.67

  3. 2018

    U.S. PHEV adds 26-mile electric range

    The U.S. plug-in gained an 8.9-kWh battery and 60-hp electric motor; EPA electric range was 26 miles.27

  4. 2018

    Niro EV arrives with two battery sizes

    39.2/64-kWh packs meant 288/455 km WLTP range; both used CCS, with up to 77-kW DC charging and 7.2-kW AC, optionally 11 kW.2

  5. 2019

    Hybrid/PHEV facelift adds more tech

    July brought revised styling, infotainment and driver aids for HEV/PHEV models. The e-Niro became What Car?'s first electric Car of the Year.24

  6. 2021

    SG2 revealed in Seoul

    SG2 production began in 2021; its November 25 Seoul debut brought 2019 HabaNiro cues and an Aero Blade that guides airflow.28

  7. 2022

    SG2 launches; PHEV reaches 65 km WLTP

    SG2 launched January 25; its PHEV paired an 11.1-kWh pack with up to 65 km WLTP range on 16-inch wheels and sub-3-hour Level 2 charging.289

  8. 2022

    SG2 EV: 460 km WLTP

    Debuting in April, the EV paired 64.8 kWh with 460 km WLTP range; 10–80% DC charging took 43 minutes under optimum conditions.29

  9. 2026

    Hybrid-only facelift debuts in Korea

    Star Map lights and dual 12.3-inch displays arrived with the update; the facelifted range dropped both PHEV and EV versions.2

Every generation

  • Kia Niro Concept
    KED-102013
  • Kia Niro (first generation)
    DE2016–2022
  • Kia Niro (second generation)
    SG22021–present

Power over the years

From 139 hp to 201 hp in 1 year.

0100200300 201620182020202220242026 hp 2017 · 139 hp · DE hybrid (MY2017)2018 · 134 hp · Niro EV, 39.2 kWh2018 · 139 hp · U.S. plug-in hybrid2018 · 201 hp · Niro EV, 64 kWh2023 · 139 hp · U.S. HEV (MY2023)2023 · 180 hp · U.S. PHEV (MY2023)2023 · 201 hp · U.S. EV, 64.8 kWh (MY2023)2024 · 127 hp · European HEV, May revision2024 · 169 hp · European PHEV, May revision2025 · 136 hp · European HEV, July revision2025 · 177 hp · European PHEV, July revision 201 hp Niro EV, 64 kWh 139 hp DE hybrid (MY2017)
2578
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2017139DE hybrid (MY2017)
2018134Niro EV, 39.2 kWh
2018139U.S. plug-in hybrid
2018201Niro EV, 64 kWh
2023139U.S. HEV (MY2023)
2023180U.S. PHEV (MY2023)
2023201U.S. EV, 64.8 kWh (MY2023)
2024127European HEV, May revision
2024169European PHEV, May revision
2025136European HEV, July revision
2025177European PHEV, July revision

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Hybrid FE / LX / EX / Touring; UK 1 / 2 / 3

    139 hp
  • Niro Plug-In Hybrid

    Standard

    Niro Plug-In Hybrid

    2017–2022

    139 hp
  • e-Niro 2 / 3 / 4 / 4+

    Standard

    e-Niro 2 / 3 / 4 / 4+

  • Standard

    Hybrid EX / SX (second generation)

    2023

    139 hp
  • Plug-In Hybrid SX Touring

    Standard

    Plug-In Hybrid SX Touring

    2024

    180 hp
  • Niro EV 2 / 3 / 4 (UK)

    Standard

    Niro EV 2 / 3 / 4 (UK)

    201 hp
  • Niro Plus / Niro Plus Taxi

    Special

    Niro Plus / Niro Plus Taxi

    2022–2024

  • Hybrid First Edition (UK)

    Special

    Hybrid First Edition (UK)

    139 hp
  • e-Niro 64 kWh First Edition

    Special

    e-Niro 64 kWh First Edition

    2019

    201 hp

  • Special

    Niro Connect

    2021

  • Special

    Niro EV Horizon

    2023

    201 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Original Niro: a slightly raised hatchback shape with black wheelarch surrounds.4
  • Second generation: upswept daytime running lights flank the tiger-nose grille.8
  • Second generation: boomerang LED taillights sit beside the rear pillars.2
  • Second generation: HEV has one driver-side flap, PHEV two; EV has a charge flap in the nose.13

Year by year

  1. 2019 (hybrid/PHEV)

    Square running-light elements give way to arrows; bumpers and taillights change, and the cabin and infotainment are updated.419

  2. 2020 (e-Niro)

    LED headlights and a larger infotainment screen mark the subtle update.12

  3. Early 2022 (e-Niro)

    Late first-generation cars get the new Kia emblem before the Niro EV replacement arrives.12

  4. 2026 facelift

    Hybrid-only update: Star Map lights, body-color rear pillars and clear upper taillights; cabin gains a horizontal dash and two-spoke wheel.220

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Kia Niro
    Niro
    Photo of a Kia Soul EV
    Kia Soul EV

    Kia Soul EV

    Soul EV has a squarer, less conventional shape than the first e-Niro.12

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $14.9K–$20.3K27

Price when newValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 2016201820202022202420262028 Value today: $14,931–$20,337 2017 · $22,890 · US MSRP, FE; destination extra2017 · $29,650 · US MSRP, Touring; destination extra2018 · $28,840 · US base, PHEV2018 · $35,575 · US as tested, PHEV EX Premium2023 · $27,785 · US base, Hybrid2023 · $33,785 · US as tested, Hybrid 2017 · $22,890 · US FE MSRP, 2017 model year; destination excluded
67813
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2017Launch price$22,890US FE MSRP, 2017 model year; destination excluded
2017Price when new$22,890US MSRP, FE; destination extra
2017Price when new$29,650US MSRP, Touring; destination extra
2018Price when new$28,840US base, PHEV
2018Price when new$35,575US as tested, PHEV EX Premium
2023Price when new$27,785US base, Hybrid
2023Price when new$33,785US as tested, Hybrid
2026Value today$14,931–$20,337

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “5,979 km at 3.1 L/100 km”
    • “Guerrini and Prusak's 2025 ecoRally crown”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 30 sources
  1. Niro | Korea's First Hybrid SUV, 2016 | Kia Heritage Archive worldwide.kia.com
  2. Kia Niro - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. 2017 Kia Niro Tested: The Anti-Prius caranddriver.com
  4. Used Kia Niro (Mk1, 2016-2022) review and buyer's guide | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  5. Kia Niro – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  6. Kia Motors America Announces 2017 Niro Pricing prnewswire.com
  7. Sub Prime: 2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid Tested! caranddriver.com
  8. DESIGNED FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: THE ALL-NEW 2023 KIA NIRO DEBUTS prnewswire.com
  9. All-new Niro accelerates EV transition prod2-press.kia.com
  10. 2024 Kia Niro PHEV Long-Term Road Test: 40,000-Mile Wrap-Up caranddriver.com
  11. Kia Niro 1.6-litre GDi First Edition Crossover review - Car Keys carkeys.co.uk
  12. Used 2019-2022 Kia e-Niro Review: Prices, Problems & Reliability | Electrifying electrifying.com
  13. 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid First Test: Entry-Level Done Right motortrend.com
  14. Used Kia Niro (Mk2, 2022-date) buyer's guide: something for everyone | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  15. Kia initiates ‘purpose-built vehicle’ strategy with launch of Niro Plus - Blog | Kia South Africa kia.co.za
  16. 2019 Kia e-Niro 64 kWh ‘First Edition’ review discoverev.co.uk
  17. New Kia Niro Connect special edition unveiled | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  18. New Kia Niro and EV6 ‘Horizon’ special editions bring value to brand’s EV line-up | DrivingElectric drivingelectric.com
  19. Kia Niro — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  20. New Kia Niro revealed: fresh-faced, upgraded and not for the UK | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  21. Kia Niro vs Toyota Prius | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  22. Bold, Unique, and Green: Exterior of Kias New SUV Niro | Journal | Hyundai Motor Group hyundaimotorgroup.com
  23. ECOdolomitesGT 2025, trionfano Guerrini e Prusak su Kia e-Niro - Mondo Motori - Ansa.it ansa.it
  24. Super Bowl LI: Melissa McCarthy tries to save the whales and sell you a Kia Niro autoweek.com
  25. Kia Made a Summer Blockbuster Parody Where the Product Features Are the Hero | Muse by Clios musebyclios.com
  26. KIA Eco-Drive - Playerthree playerthree.com
  27. Kia Niro Resale Value and Depreciation - iSeeCars.com iseecars.com
  28. Transport Canada Recall - 2023423 - KIA - Canada.ca recalls-rappels.canada.ca
  29. Transport Canada Recall - 2025021 - KIA - Canada.ca recalls-rappels.canada.ca
  30. Buying a Used Kia e-Niro or Niro EV: Which Is Which, Range, Warranty & What to Check | EVGuide.uk evguide.uk
  • worldwide.kia.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • caranddriver.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • prnewswire.com
  • prod2-press.kia.com
  • carkeys.co.uk
  • electrifying.com
  • motortrend.com
  • kia.co.za
  • discoverev.co.uk
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • drivingelectric.com

Photo credits

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