2021 Kia Niro: Review, Trims, Specs, Price, New Interior Features, Exterior Design, and Specifications

$24,690 - $32,950

Price Range (MSRP)

2021 Kia Niro For Sale

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2021 Kia Niro Review: Great But In Need Of A Kick In The Pants

by Aiden Eksteen

With its compact proportions, low center of gravity, and crossover SUV make-up, the 2021 Kia Niro offers a good spread of advantages including car-like, urban-centric driving dynamics and SUV-like versatility and practicality. Unfortunately, with just the one powertrain arrangement on offer - a 139-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder hybridized unit paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drivetrain - the Niro crossover isn't the most enjoyable or interesting vehicle to drive. It is, however, one of the most frugal hybrid crossover SUVs money can buy in the USA, with only smaller cars like the Hyundai Ioniq and Toyota Prius surpassing the Niro's 50 mpg combined gas mileage rating. The Niro is an ideal commuter and family runabout, but it's a run-of-the-mill option and when you consider the sparse selection of features the entry-spec Niro trims come with as standard, it's difficult to ignore giving the amplitude of other compact crossovers a review.

Read in this review:

Exterior Design 8 /10
Performance 5 /10
Fuel Economy 9 /10
Interior & Cargo 8 /10
Infotainment & Features 8 /10
Reliability 8 /10
Safety 9 /10
Value For Money 9 /10

8.0

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2021 Kia Niro Changes: What’s The Difference vs The 2020 Kia Niro?

After a raft of updates last year, Kia has continued improving the Niro hybrid for 2021. Rear occupant alert is a standard feature, while models with the eight-inch infotainment display now come with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, replacing the previous wired integrations. If fitted with the Smart Key, the Niro mild hybrid also gets a remote start system. With navigation, a MapCare program with a decade of map updates is now included. Finally, models with navigation and smart cruise control now also get navigation-based smart cruise control as well as a Curve function.

Pros and Cons

Tranquil and commodious cabin
Exceptional fuel economy returns
Fairly expansive cargo bay
Contemporary infotainment suite
Modern and suave crossover design

Uncouth powertrain responses
Run-of-the-mill handling
Ride quality is just bearable
No all-wheel drive offered
Lower-tier trims are bare-bones

Best Deals on 2021 Kia Niro

2021 Kia Niro LX

$20,442

37,331 miles

Fair Deal

Average price

2021 Kia Niro Touring

$26,871

13,125 miles

2021 Kia Niro LXS

$24,377

17,664 miles

Fair Deal

$2,000 above

2021 Kia Niro Touring

$23,989

38,781 miles

Fair Deal

Average price

See All Niro For Sale

2021 Kia Niro Trims

See trim levels and configurations:

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain	Price (MSRP)
LX	1.6L Inline-4 Hybrid	6-Speed Automatic	Front-Wheel Drive	$24,690
LXS	1.6L Inline-4 Hybrid	6-Speed Automatic	Front-Wheel Drive	$26,090
Touring	1.6L Inline-4 Hybrid	6-Speed Automatic	Front-Wheel Drive	$28,390
Plug-In Hybrid LXS	1.6L Inline-4 Plug-in Hybrid	6-Speed Automatic	Front-Wheel Drive	$29,590
Touring SE	1.6L Inline-4 Hybrid	6-Speed Automatic	Front-Wheel Drive	$30,950

See All 2021 Kia Niro Trims and Specs

2021 Niro Exterior

See All 2021 Kia Niro Exterior Photos

Dimensions

Length 171.5 in
Wheelbase 106.3 in
Height 60.4 in
Max Width 71.1 in
Front Width 61.6 in
Rear Width 62.2 in
Curb Weight 3,100.0 lbs

Exterior Colors

Runway Red +$295
Aurora Black Pearl +$395
Snow White Pearl +$395
Silky Silver
Deep Cerulean
Horizon Blue
Solar Orange
Platinum Graphite

2021 Niro Performance

Engine and Transmission

Engines

1.6L Inline-4 Hybrid, 1.6L Inline-4 Plug-in Hybrid
Transmission

6-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain

FWD

2021 Niro Interior

See All 2021 Kia Niro Interior Photos

Seating and Interior Space

Seating capacity

5-seater

Front Leg Room 41.7 in
Front Head Room 40.1 in
Rear Leg Room 37.4 in
Rear Head Room 39.1 in

2021 Niro Trunk and Cargo Space

2021 Niro Safety and Reliability

Warranty

Basic:
5 Years \ 60,000 Miles
Drivetrain:
10 Years \ 100,000 Miles
Corrosion:
5 Years \ 100,000 Miles
Hybrid/Electric Components:
10 Years \ 100,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance:
5 Years \ 60,000 Miles

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Overall Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Side Crash Rating
Rollover Rating

Verdict: Is the 2021 Kia Niro A Good Hybrid SUV?

There are many qualities that make the Kia Niro an appealing option within the market, from its straightforward drivability and highly efficient performance to its decent technology consignment and everyday practicality. It really is everything a small family could need in a 5-door crossover runabout, plus, it boasts one of the most modern, user-friendly, and all-inclusive infotainment systems in the class. The NHTSA and IIHS's review of the 2021 Kia Niro resulted in a good safety rating that's been matched by high reliability expectations. That is where the buck stops, however, as with just the one powertrain, no option to AWD, and no towing capacity, it's stuck with mundane driving dynamics and is lacking in key areas where its competitors excel. If you're set on the Niro SUV, we'd suggest waiting to see what the new generation will have to offer as the 2021 model still forms part of the very first Niro generation that debuted back in 2017.

What Kia Niro Model Should I Buy?

To get the most value out of the 2021 Kia Niro hybrid crossover's price, we'd suggest going for the new LXS model. This trim comes outfitted with a fair number of features over that of the LX trim that precedes it and at not too much more expense. Push-button start improves driver convenience and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob improve the interior impression. The LXS also receives a must-have consignment of advanced driver assists as standard, including blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and driver attention warning.