What Is the 2024 Kia Niro?
The Kia Niro is an SUV-styled compact four-door hatchback available with a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains, all with front-wheel drive. The Niro hybrid is the value leader in that it has the lowest price, but with just 139 horsepower, it’s poky to accelerate — while generating lots of engine noise. The 180-hp PHEV is quicker and more refined, and it delivers a handy 32 miles of electric range before its gas-powered four-cylinder comes into play. At the top of the lineup, the 201-hp Niro EV has 253 miles of range and gets down the road briskly and in near silence. Because of its powertrain choices and genre-straddling design, the Niro competes with a range of vehicles, including the Ford Escape Hybrid and Escape PHEV, the Hyundai Kona Electric, and the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.
What’s New on the 2024 Kia Niro?
After its redesign for the 2023 model year, the Niro is mostly unchanged for 2024. A dual-level cargo floor is now standard on most Niro trim levels.
What Features in the 2024 Kia Niro Are Most Important?
Standard features include:
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (base LX only)
- Six-speaker stereo system
- Three USB ports
- Blind spot warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane departure steering assist
- Dual-zone climate control
- Automatic high-beam headlights
Available features include:
- 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Navigation
- Satellite radio
- Intersection assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Ambient interior lighting
- Power liftgate
- Eight-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system
Should I Buy the 2024 Kia Niro?
The easy answer is yes — when it debuted last year, the Niro nabbed our Best Car of 2023 award — but a lot depends on which model you’re considering and what’s most important to you. The Niro hybrid has a budget-friendly price, but it’s slow, and engine noise is prevalent. The Niro’s city-friendly proportions make it easy to maneuver in urban driving, but it also boasts a decent amount of passenger and cargo room given its smallish size. Both the PHEV and electric versions are swifter and smoother getting down the road, though they’re also considerably more expensive.
