2021 Kia Niro review
Kia Niro highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrain options
- Standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity
Cons
- No all-wheel drive option
- Some cheaper cabin materials
Mileage (EPA estimate)
46 city, 40 highway, 43 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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A small SUV with a small footprint.
Do you want a car that has space for your passengers and cargo, but is small enough for city driving? Perhaps one that matches your values, and will just save time at the pump? If so, the 2021 Kia Niro is a strong contender. This hybrid subcompact crossover SUV has seating for five and is available as an all-electric vehicle, a hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid, even on the base 2021 Kia Niro LX. Whether you're transporting your pets to the dog park, hitting the beach with your kids, or just going on a grocery run, the Kia Niro will fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. Whether you're looking for maximum electric car range or a car that will help you go further between fill-ups, the Niro range has something for everyone. It stands out for having a roomy interior—even adults will be comfortable in the back seats. There's plenty of cargo space for most days out or overnight trips. Small touches like standard smartphone connectivity make the Niro appealing to anyone who wants to stay connected. Standard rear-seat reminder, which is designed to prevent children from being left in vehicles, makes the Niro appealing to parents, grandparents, and caregivers.
All Kia Niro years
What is new for the 2021 Kia Niro?
- The Touring trim has been discontinued for 2021.
- Niro trims have been upgraded with Remote Start as standard equipment this year.
- Memory Seat(s) features are now available as options on select trims.
- The EX Premium trim now comes with Leatherette & Cloth as standard equipment.
- The LX trim now comes with Smart Key and Satellite Radio Ready as standard equipment.
- The LXS trim now comes with Power Seat(s), Front Seat Heaters, Leatherette & Cloth, Harman Kardon Sound, Navigation System, and Satellite Radio Ready as standard equipment.
- The Touring SE trim now comes with A/C Seat(s) and Leatherette & Cloth as standard equipment.
2021 Kia Niro trims
LX:
Available as electric, hybrid or plug-in. Includes Bluetooth®, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity; an eight-inch touchscreen; rear seat reminder; and more.
LXS:
Adds push-button start, emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, driver drowsiness detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and more.
Touring:
Adds cloth and leather interior, power-adjustable driver's seat, adaptive cruise control, and a sunroof.
Touring Special Edition:
Adds leather upholstery, Harman Kardon® audio system, 10.5-inch display screen, navigation, and satellite radio.
EX:
Plug-in-hybrid and full electric powertrains only. Includes heated front seats, cloth and leather upholstery, adaptive cruise control, and wireless device charging.
EX Premium:
Adds leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and rear parking sensors.
Kia Niro photos
5 reasons to buy the 2021 Kia Niro
1. Three powertrain options
The 2021 Kia Niro gives you plenty of choices. It's available as an all-electric vehicle, a hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid. All of them have decent power. The powertrain you choose will affect whether you need to plug in the car and how much you rely on the gas pump. With three options, you can select the powertrain that is best for your lifestyle and living situation.
2. Comfortable interior
No one likes being stuck in traffic or driving for hours, but sometimes those situations are unavoidable. The 2021 Kia Niro will keep you and your passengers comfortable, no matter how long you've been on the road. The front seats are adjustable and the rear seats have plenty of legroom. For an added dose of comfort, opt for leather heated and ventilated seats, which are available in higher trims.
3. Easy smartphone connection
The 2021 Kia Niro makes it easy to stay connected while you're traveling. For 2021, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard, even on the base 2021 Kia Niro LX. You'll control those apps using a standard eight-inch touchscreen, or a 10-inch touchscreen that is available on higher trim levels.
4. Child-friendly
The 2021 Kia Niro is a good match for people who are traveling with kids, whether they're your own, your grandkids, or part of your crew. The Niro comes standard with two sets of LATCH anchors and can seat three car seats across the rear bench, a rarity among small SUVs. In addition, the 2021 Niro comes standard with a rear seat reminder. When you turn off the car, a chime will sound to alert you to check your rear seat if you've opened the rear doors at any time before or during the trip.
5. Flexible cargo space
Are you one of those people who just can't pack light? With the Kia Niro, that's ok. The 2021 Kia Niro has 19.4 cu-ft of cargo space behind the rear seats, which is respectable for a subcompact crossover SUV. In addition, the seats fold flat, opening up 54.5 cu-ft of space. It's worth noting that the space in the EV model drops a little to 18.5 and 53 cu-ft of space with seats up and down respectively.
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Kia Niro an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Kia Niro 3rd out of 6 among Alternative Fuel Vehicles.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Kia NiroKia Niro features and specs
Touring SE 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Harman Kardon Sound
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Navigation System
- Overhead Airbags
- Parking Sensors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Remote Start
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
- Traction Control
- Full Roof Rack
- Running Boards
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
1.6L
Horsepower
139
Torque (ft-lbs)
195
Engine type
Hybrid
Fuel capacity
11.9
Wheelbase
106.3"
Overall length
171.5"
Width
71.1"
Height
60.4"
Leg room
F 41.7"/R 37.4"
Head room
F 40.1"/R 39.1"
Front tires
P225/45VR18
Rear tires
P225/45VR18
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2021 Kia Niro FAQ
The 2021 Kia Niro is a good hybrid option. It has plenty of space and standard features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a rear-seat reminder. If you're looking to go further between fill-ups, this is a great choice.
Yes. While it doesn't have all-wheel drive, it has the space you'd expect from a vehicle of this type. You've got plenty of passenger space as well as 19.4 cu-ft of cargo space behind the rear seats. That's plenty for luggage, sports gear, or groceries.
More about the 2021 Kia Niro
Color options
Exterior colors:
Aurora Black Pearl
Deep Cerulean
Horizon Blue
Runaway Red
Silky Silver
Snow White Pearl
Solar Orange
Interior colors:
Charcoal
Gray
Interior details
The Kia Niro has five seats, all of which are large enough for adults. It comes standard with cloth upholstery but a cloth-leather blend and leather upholstery are available at higher trims. Inside, the dash is sleek and the large touchscreen is center stage. In terms of cargo space, you'll get 19.4 cu-ft behind the rear seats (18.5 cu-ft in EV models) and 54.5 cu-ft with the seats folded (reducing to 53 cu-ft in EV models). The rear seats also fold fully flat, which makes loading cargo very easy indeed.
Child seat details
The 2021 Kia Niro has LATCH anchors for two car seats on the rear outboard seats. All three rear seats have a rear car seat anchor. Depending on which car seats you have, the Kia Niro can fit three seats across the back row. That makes the 2021 Kia Niro a stand-out choice for families with three children in car seats.
Performance
The Kia Niro comes with three powertrain configurations. The hybrid and plug-in-hybrid models have an electric motor and a 1.6L four-cylinder engine that produce 139 hp. These powertrain options are paired with a six-speed transmission.
The hybrid has an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 49 mpg.
Electric models have a single-speed transmission and a 201-hp electric motor. They have a combined fuel economy of 112 MPGe.
The quickest of all 2021 Kia Niro models is the EV, which will do the sprint from zero to 60 in 7.8 seconds. The plug-in hybrid comes in just behind at 9.8 seconds, while the standard hybrid model takes just over 10 seconds. (All according to the manufacturer, when new.)
Year Comparison
2017-2022 Kia Niro (First Generation)
The Kia Niro was introduced in the 2017 model year as a hybrid subcompact crossover SUV. The plug-in hybrid option debuted in 2018 and the fully electric Niro hit the market in 2019. All years have had the same body and layout. In 2020 the styling was refreshed and a larger 10.5-inch touchscreen became available on the Touring Special Edition trim. In 2021, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a rear-seat reminder were made standard even on the base 2021 Kia Niro LX trim.
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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