Only the budget Prius Prime beats the low price of the Kia Niro PHEV.
Just last week, Kia revealed pricing for its 2023 Niro Hybrid, and it's the cheapest electrified crossover in America at $26,490. Pricing for the Niro EV has yet to be revealed, but it will include around 2,000 miles of complimentary charging.
Pricing information for the 2023 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid was recently announced, and though it's not the least expensive PHEV on the market, it is good value for money.
The Niro PHEV starts at $33,740 for the base EX trim (plus a $1,295 destination fee). That's a significant price increase from the 2022 model, which started at $29,590 and qualified for a $4,543 tax credit. Sadly, due to the new regulations requiring final assembly in the US, the 2023 Niro will no longer receive the credit. Compared to the standard Niro, the PHEV represents a $4,650 price premium.
The 2023 Niro PHEV is no longer the extreme bargain it once was, but it's still among the most affordable plug-in vehicles in the US market. Only the Toyota Prius Prime (starting at $28,770) costs less. It may be less expensive, but the Prius Prime only produces 121 horsepower.
By comparison, the 2023 Niro PHEV gets a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a 62 kW electric motor, combining to deliver 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. A larger 11.1-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery provides a 33-mile electric-only range (compared to 26 miles in the outgoing model).
A Prius Prime will only travel around 25 miles on electric power, another area where the Niro is superior. According to Kia, charging the battery to full takes under three hours on a Level 2 charger.
Kia will only offer two trims: the base EX for $33,740 and the Hybrid SX Touring for $39,490, the latter of which is on the high end for an entry-level PHEV.
For reference, the Ford Escape PHEV starts at $35,455 ($40,700 for the top Titanium trim), Prius Prime Limited (the top trim level) costs $34,55, and the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid (one trim only) starts at $36,845. In Ford's defense, the Escape is a larger crossover that delivers 221 hp and a 38-mile EV range.
A complete configurator with pricing details is not available as of this writing, but Kia will offer the EX trim with an optional Cold Weather Package that includes a supplemental heater to warm the cabin more quickly, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel.
The SX Touring has an available design package with 18-inch wheels and a two-tone Aero C-Pillar color panel option. 2023 Niro PHEV units will arrive at dealerships soon in all 50 states.
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