Kia Niro hybrid 2018 in-depth review | carwow Reviews

This is the new Kia Niro. It's a striking hatchback that combines the practicality of a crossover with the eco-cred of a clever hybrid system. But what's it like to drive? Is is as spacious as rivals as the Nissan Qashqai, or as economical as a Toyota Prius? Find out in this full, in-depth review.





Read our full Kia Niro review –

Kia Niro infotainment and interior review –

Kia Niro practicality review –

Kia Niro POV test drive –

See the best Kia Niro deals –

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[carwow]

00:55 - Looks like Mat got this one wrong, guys! Since 2017 sat nav has come as standard for the Kia Niro!

[galloping]

Not sure if the editing affected it, but was surprised it was a only a "consider" rather than "shortlist" verdict given how overwhelmingly positive the review was?

[JediRhymeTrix]

The reason for the groaning sound is magnetostriction. When the electric motor is stressed but not allowed to do much work, the magnetic flux generated by it basically turns the coil into a speaker and hence, the vibrations are amplified into that audible noise.

[marcelmotorzoneza]

kia just keeps getting better and better with their new cars

[itechtalk]

We have a Kia Niro Hybrid (HEV) from 2020 and it’s achieved as high as 76.1 mpg on a mix of motorway, countryside and town driving (45mins drive in total). So overall quite economical considering its size and interior is very smart, spacious, boot is decent size. I feel like this review doesn’t entirely do the car justice.

[MrLolxu]

Anyone who wants to know if the Niro is worth to get it, yes it is.

I currently own one and it is amazing. Ranges better than a Prius (45mpg vs the Niro's 60mpg. I drove 2 at one point. The stupid Prius as an ex company car), handles way better with it's extremely sharp steering, very comfortable ride and driving feel, stable around corners, easy to park and good for novice driver with tons of features and creature comforts for drivers and passengers alike like back aircon, cruise control, apple play, NFC charging, tons of charging points, blind spot assist, reverse cam and for my model, aircon seats for both front seats.

However, it does have it's weakness. It's very heavy and when you reverse, it might catch you offguard and rolls abit if you're at a gradient. The lack of a spare tire is disturbing, validated but disturbing. The creeping brake sound is from the regenerative braking module but still it creeps me out sometimes when the brake is just partially depressed.

But still, it's better than that dumb Prius so if you want a hybrid, go for this.

[lolakyle]

7:13 when a bunch of mosquitos hovers around your head...

[PghFlip]

Love my Niro--- you didn't mention how much fun the sports mode offers.

[peterinmalaga]

Thank you, Mat, for the best reviews and they're all delivered with a clear British accent. It's not surprising that your videos are followed by so many people for whom English is not their first language.

[shahnoorhossain]

Why is he always so heavy handed with everything ??!! Always slamming the bins, bashing the switches, literally pulling off the steering wheel 🤦🏻‍♂️ Be honest, would you let him near your car?

[klx]

Kia & Hyundai are getting better and better :)! I really love these cars

[jjhuckester]

Recent dreadful weather, but my window squirters work first time and consistently. 3 months and 9000 miles in, its a brilliant car

[jeremynechytaylo]

Great review! Would love to see a Prius vs Niro vs Ioniq head2head!

[Benjamin-sncw]

I did a shot of tequila every time Matt said 'Toyota Prius' and so now i'm dead. Congratulations Carwow. You win this round.

[adilator]

Matt, please stop maltreating the load covers.

[mikemaurpal]

Just to say, the noise you hear at low speed, is the electric motor doing its job, this car always starts off in electric power, once it has done three and a half miles the petrol engine kicks in.
At very low speeds the electric motor will move the wheels but you must realise that with all electric motors, there will be a noise of the brushes making contact with the armature of the motor. Mike Palmer

[TheJaytotheBee]

A hugely overlooked car in my opinion. I really like it, looks good in this color and spec. That sound it makes when creeping along is hilarious, I can imagine it being really annoying.

[espressoman]

Love the videos but should be called ‘how to wreck a car’s interior in 5 minutes’. Do they charge you to replace buttons, parcel shelves and door bins after you’ve finished?

[Rissa-Eshopifiz]

I love watching your reviews they are so amusing and you make me laugh, yes the noise at the end was so weird, I would consider like you said but I need USB at the back, the spare tire is a must.

[BirdiesGoCherp]

7:15 that's a built in ship horn to tell traffic to move!