We bought our 2023 Kia Niro EX Touring in December 2022. After a year of driving it regularly, here are the pros, cons:
Pros:
1. When you fill up, it only holds 10 gallons. Unbelievably this is enough to go for weeks. The gas mileage is so good, you are almost driving for free. Even if you are heavy footed like my wife, stomping on gas and brakes, you get the same great MPGs. We are averaging 47MPG since buying the car. If we had the smaller wheels, we'd get in the mid 50s.
2. It looks really nice. Inside and out, the styling is really good. It just blends in nicely in any situations. You can park in a lot with expensive luxury cars and fit right in. At the same time, you can park in a bad neighborhood and not be a target.
3. Seamless power. You will hear the motor switch on and off but you don't feel any effect and learn to disregard that. The power from pedal to wheels is seamless and the transmission shifts nicely every time to the right gears (not a CVT, which is nice in my opinion).
4. Interior is really nice and seems to be good quality. I especially like the display screen.
5. Safety features like rear cross traffic warning and side mirror car detection lights are a must, especially in a car this small.
CONS:
1. We got the pearl white. Usually, a white car always looks clean even when dirty. Not this one. It is a magnet for dirt and it is visible. It sticks to it like metal shreds to a magnet. When you wash your car, there is a massive amount of dirt in the door jams and places you wouldn't expect it.
2. Display controls. I've almost crashed a bunch of times trying to do something simple like adjust the temperature. It uses almost all touch display and you know how that is when trying to drive. Also, the radio and climate share a touch pad, and you are supposed to alternate between the two by touching a spot on the screen. Super awkward.
3. Climate has a mind of its own. I like to have the recycled air on all the time, otherwise I smell the exhaust of the car in front of me. I understand this turns off when using defrost, that is normal. But this car changes my settings constantly for no reason, even though I turn off "auto" climate, it comes back on. Every time I turn on recycled air, a few minutes later, it's off. For me, this is the worst part of the car.
4. Rear brake noises. We notice after a month the rear brakes at times would make a frightening noise like a train stopping, and the whole car would vibrate. I took it in for this they said they couldn't replicate the issue. After my own trial and error, I realized it is likely the Auto Hold feature getting confused when going at low speeds like through a parking lot or backing out of the driveway.
5. The back hatch closes way too easy, so until you get used to it, you will slam the heck out of it. My daughter closed it once and the rear license plate fell off.
Wishlist: I have the EX Touring which I believe included the moonroof and bigger wheels and some safety features.
-I don't know all the trim levels and features, but I wish our model included the seat memory buttons. When you have a car that gets MGP like this everyone in the house will be driving it. It is a big hassle adjusting the driver seat and mirrors every day.
-I wouldn't get the bigger wheels next time, I would rather have the extra MPGs
-I wouldn't get the moonroof. There is no feature that closes it automatically if you leave it open. So it just takes 1 time forgetting to close it, followed by rain, and your interior is ruined. I hardly use the moonroof and my wife never uses it, but I worry about it all the time.
I think some of these things are bundled in certain trim models, like the seat memory button and bigger wheels, so it may not be possible. For Kia, you should make the features all available options in every model.
Overall, for all the annoyances, all is forgiven when you go to fill it up and it's only $40 and everyone around you is moaning and groaning.…
5.0
Like it better than my old Crosstrek
by Cutoll | on Monday, August 26, 2024
I just picked up a 2024 Kia Niro EX Touring which replaced my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek which I liked a lot. My Niro is better in many ways. It is a bit higher tech, gets 60% better mpg, has more passenger and storage space, and has features like the auto folding side mirrors, that aren't even offered on the Crosstrek at any trim level. The Niro uses a 6 speed dual clutch transmission which I had years ago on my Audi TT rather than a CVT with simulated shift points. I also prefer the Niro's standard 6 speaker radio to the standard 6 speaker system in the Crosstrek.
Time will tell for sure if the Niro out performs my Crosstrek but so far I really prefer the Niro. I'm not knocking the Subaru Crosstrek as it is a great well made and thought out vehicle, but the Niro has more features, better mpg, and a much better warranty as I paid an additional fee to have the Subaru's bumper to bumper coverage to match its 60k powertrain warranty. The Kia has 100k powertrain and 60k bumper to bumper.…
5.0
Very Pleased
by 3c0ca7c8 | on Sunday, March 31, 2024
Love the 23 Niro HEV. Getting 50-51 MPG. Nice vehicle for seniors as easy to get in and out plus all the safety features (Lots).
Would definitely purchase again…
4.1