2023 Kia Niro | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #384

This week we share our first impressions of the 2023 Kia Niro. We discuss the Niro’s hybrid and electric powertrains, its promising fuel economy estimates and how the 2023 redesign seems more like a refresh. We also answer an audience question about vehicle service— and whether it's better to visit a dealer or an independent repair shop. 

SHOW NOTES:

0:00-15:30 - 2023 Kia Niro

15:31 - Question: Is it a good idea to bring a vehicle to an independent repair shop for routine maintenance?

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[phuot]

Front wheel drive with good winter tires is more then enough for the winter, except if your driveway is going really up. AWD cost more, take more fuel and more maintenance. Never been stuck with my FWD even in deep snow.

[firstcitytraveler]

I think the road noise is due to the very hard "Green" eco tires. My 2019 was quiet but as tires wore it got noisy. Also some of the Korean reviewers thought there may be a little less sound deadening material compared to first generation Niros. Changed my OEM tires for Michelin CrossClimate2s much quieter now.

[nickolastiguan]

Good panel today. easy to listen to (well spoken, not too much erm, you know), quick to their points (no going round and round and not even answer the viewer’s question), no egos and not try hards. 👍

[easternpa]

Just saw a great tip in another video. Long press the mode button that you want the buttons to default to for three seconds. If you set it to default to Media, you can flip it to Climate, make your adjustment, and it will flip back to Media a few seconds after you're done making the changes.

[rayschoch]

I don't care if it doesn't have 4-wheel or all-wheel drive, and I live in Minneapolis. Beyond infrequent fill-ups and the occasional oil change, the owner's manual recommended changing brake fluid, so I had that done a couple months ago, along with new wiper blades, but in terms of maintenance over 4+ years, that's it. 53 mpg around town, 45-48 mpg on long interstate trips. No warranty issues. Power is no more than adequate, though it's faster than the Subaru Crosstrek that preceded it. It handles fine on mountain roads and the brakes are decent. No squeaks or rattles, and it has carried everything I've asked it to. At this point, it's the 2nd-best car I've owned over 60+ years of driving.

[hereigoagain]

Glad to have a diversified panel. Alex looks like he has been pumping iron! Be careful not to impede finger flexibility for guitar rifts :) Kia Niro is excellent for young people who want to experience the quiet desperation of middle age.

[CLL-]

This video reminds me of that SNL skit with the two craft ladies talking on their radio show. Lol

[j]

Good discussion...insights I can actually use! 🙂

[stephenwinter]

Greetings from southern Ontario Canada I really enjoyed the video looking forward to seeing this vehicle at the LA autoshow November 18 thanks for the presentation

[rodrigogoytia]

the volume is on the steering wheel, there's also a mute button 😑

[TealSide]

I remember the good ole days of Talking Cars videos where there was more than one viewer question.

[TalismanPHX]

Keep this panel!! Very conversational and informative 👌

[roguedogx]

7:09 it also breaks the hierarchy of usage. it takes 2 button presses to access the climate controls or radio knob, that should only ever be direct controls.

I will say I do like the innovative nature of idea, and for secondary controls it might work fine (like adjusting suspension, or adjusting cabin lighting), but for something so basic, it's just not the tool to use.

[richdc]

Alex is looking very GQ these days. Nice.

[mrleeboston]

There is some seriously unpleasant echo on the mikes. Not typical for CR. Hope it gets fixed next time.

[dylans]

I strongly disagree with your take on dealerships. the dealerships have the lowest paid mechanics around some once they get experience they leave. And the people that you work with at the counter are generally paid commissions on what they get you to agree to so they are incentived to lie. The only time i would suggest a dealership is better is when you want someone with deep pockets to do the work so you have a backup if you have to sue them for destroying your engine by say doing a bad job on your timing belt. if its not free, competively priced, or worth the added cost due to convenience go somewhere else.

[lenuhley]

This is a helpful review, as usual. Could you also test the 2023 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid? (I know you're planning to cover the Niro EV, but the plug-in might be the Goldilocks car for some of us.) I hope the PHEV's more powerful engine/motor set-up (180 HP) would address the complaint about the Hybrid's 139 HP. I also saw a review that said the windows on that model have better soundproofing, but you'll know better. Thanks.

[petegalindez]

Great panel! Nice to see it changed up a bit…the 3 grumpy men were getting a little grumpy! LOL…I owned a 2021 Kia Niro PHEV and now own a 2022 Kia Niro EV. I LOVE THE EV version. Much better than the PHEV. The DCT is a great tranny….normally, but not in this car…very clunky and too loud when the engine kicked in…I previously owned a Tesla Model Y and 3 which I loved. But, with teenagers starting to drive, they were not going to get the TESLA…the Niro EV is perfect for them. Plenty of room and the range is awesome! It’s rated at 239, but if I charge it to 100% I get close to 310! Everything in it works great. The UI is great, and the paddles are awesome. As for the complaint about the arm rest Emily, I’m 5’8” and just about every car I’ve ever owned falls short on the arm rest unless it’s a moveable/sliding arm rest (like my 2017 CRV)…not sure what it is…

[dylans]

Please don't keep your automate maintenance records in your car. They have your address on them among other information.

[IamGroot]

I have OCD so I do my own oil changes.