Kia Niro
The 2026 Kia Niro presents a strong case for reliability with zero recalls or complaints, earning an 'Excellent' public verdict.
Calculated from 10,000+ NHTSA, EPA & owner-complaint data pointsHow we score
2025 modelSpecifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year.
| Year | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | City L/100 km | Highway L/100 km | Combined L/100 km | Fuel-economy range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 53 | 45 | 49 | 4.44 | 5.23 | 4.8 | — |
| 2025 | 53 | 45 | 49 | 4.44 | 5.23 | 4.8 | — |
| 2024 | 53 | 45 | 49 | 4.44 | 5.23 | 4.8 | 49-54 mpg combined |
| 2023 | 53 | 45 | 49 | 4.44 | 5.23 | 4.8 | — |
| 2022 | 51 | 46 | 49 | 4.61 | 5.11 | 4.8 | — |
| 2021 | 51 | 46 | 49 | 4.61 | 5.11 | 4.8 | — |
| 2020 | 51 | 46 | 49 | 4.61 | 5.11 | 4.8 | 49 mpg combined |
| 2019 | 51 | 46 | 49 | 4.61 | 5.11 | 4.8 | — |
| 2018 | 51 | 46 | 49 | 4.61 | 5.11 | 4.8 | — |
| 2017 | 51 | 46 | 49 | 4.61 | 5.11 | 4.8 | — |
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Transmission | Drivetrain | Horsepower | Torque | Engine configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | suv | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2025 | suv | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2024 | suv | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 139-201 hp | 106-195 lb-ft | Inline-4 |
| 2023 | suv | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2022 | suv | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2021 | suv | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | Automatic | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2020 | wagon | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | Automatic | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | 139 hp | 195 lb-ft | Inline-4 |
| 2019 | suv | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | Automatic (AM6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | Automatic | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | Automatic | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available.
| Year | msrp | pricing | Trim | currency | Base MSRP | MSRP range | Confidence | notes | Source | estimatedAt | Base price | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | Trim: Wave | Wave | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | currency: USD, Base MSRP: $26,940, MSRP range: $26,940 - $45,975, Confidence: 0.9, notes: MSRP range for the 2024 model year, including various trims., Source: llm_estimate, estimatedAt: 6/10/2026 | Trim: Wind | Wind | USD | $26,940 | $26,940 - $45,975 | 0.9 | MSRP range for the 2024 model year, including various trims. | llm_estimate | 6/10/2026 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | Trim: Wind | Wind | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | Trim: EX | EX | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | Base price: $39,090, Trim: Touring, Touring Special Edition | Touring, Touring Special Edition | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $39,090 | — |
| 2020 | currency: USD, Base MSRP: $32,790, MSRP range: $32,790 - $33,910, Confidence: 0.9, notes: MSRP for EX Premium trim., Source: llm_estimate, estimatedAt: 6/10/2026 | Base price: $32,790, Trim: EX | EX | USD | $32,790 | $32,790 - $33,910 | 0.9 | MSRP for EX Premium trim. | llm_estimate | 6/10/2026 | $32,790 | — |
| 2019 | — | Base price: $23,490, Series: Graphite Edition (HEV), EX (HEV), Trim: EX (PHEV) | EX (PHEV) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $23,490 | Graphite Edition (HEV), EX (HEV) |
| 2018 | — | Base price: $27,900, Trim: FE (HEV), LX (HEV) | FE (HEV), LX (HEV) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $27,900 | — |
| 2017 | — | Base price: $25,700, Trim: Touring / Touring Tech | Touring / Touring Tech | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $25,700 | — |
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year.
| Year | Seats | Doors | Cargo (L) | Cargo (cu ft) | bodyAndInterior | mechanical | Keyless ignition | Seat rows | Steering location | Axles | Wheels | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 4 | 451 | 15.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | 5 | 4 | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard | — | Standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 4 | 451 | 15.9 | Keyless ignition: Standard | — | Standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | 5 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 2 | — | Standard | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 5 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 2 | — | Standard | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 5 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 106.3, Front wheel: 16, Rear wheel: 16 | Standard | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 106.3 | 16 | 16 |
| 2020 | 5 | 4 | 410 | 14.5 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 106.3, Front wheel: 16, Rear wheel: 16 | Standard | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 106.3 | 16 | 16 |
| 2019 | 5 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 106.3, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 106.3 | 18 | 18 |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 106.3, Front wheel: 16, Rear wheel: 16 | Standard | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 106.3 | 16 | 16 |
| 2017 | 5 | 4 | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 106.3, Front wheel: 16, Rear wheel: 16 | Standard | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 106.3 | 16 | 16 |
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability.
| Year | nhtsaSafetyRatings | abs | Overall rating | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rated vehicle | esc | tractionControl | tpms | adaptiveCruiseControl | autoBrake | forwardCollisionWarning | pedestrianAeb | blindSpotMonitoring | blindSpotIntervention | laneDepartureWarning | rearCamera | rearCrossTrafficAlert | rearAeb | parkAssist | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | laneCenteringAssist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | Overall rating: 4, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2025 Kia Niro SUV FWD | standard | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2025 Kia Niro SUV FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — |
| 2024 | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2024 Kia Niro SUV FWD | standard | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2024 Kia Niro SUV FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — |
| 2023 | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2023 Kia Niro SUV FWD | standard | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2023 Kia Niro SUV FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | standard | standard | standard |
| 2022 | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | — | standard | standard | standard |
| 2021 | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | — | standard | standard | standard |
| 2020 | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | — | standard | standard | — |
| 2019 | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | — | — | standard | — | — | standard | — | standard | — |
| 2018 | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | — | — | standard | — | — | — | standard | standard | — |
| 2017 | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | standard | standard | standard | optional | optional | optional | — | standard | — | optional | standard | — | — | — | standard | standard | — |
Technology & electrification
Listed infotainment, equipment, battery, and charging data.
| Year | infotainment | ev | Electrification | Battery type | Apple CarPlay | Android Auto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | Electrification: bev, Battery type: Lithium-Ion/Li-Ion | bev | Lithium-Ion/Li-Ion | — | — |
| 2024 | Apple CarPlay: Standard, Android Auto: Standard | — | — | — | Standard | Standard |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | Electrification: phev | phev | — | — | — |
| 2020 | Apple CarPlay: Standard, Android Auto: Standard | — | — | — | Standard | Standard |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Model year reports
2026
NewestThe 2026 Kia Niro presents a strong case for reliability with zero recalls or complaints, earning an 'Excellent' public verdict.
2025
The 2025 Kia Niro offers good fuel economy and a solid safety profile, but buyers must confirm the completion of a significant recall affecting critical safety systems.
2024
The 2024 Kia Niro offers good fuel efficiency and a comfortable ride, but a significant recall concerning airbag and seat belt wiring warrants careful inspection.
2023
The 2023 Kia Niro offers good fuel economy and a solid safety score, but potential buyers must confirm that all recalls, particularly those concerning the front passenger seat wiring harness and airbag system, have been properly addressed.
2022
The 2022 Kia Niro offers excellent fuel economy and practicality, but a significant powertrain recall warrants careful inspection.
2021
The 2021 Kia Niro PHEV offers excellent fuel economy and practicality, but potential buyers must prioritize verifying the completion of a significant recall concerning the transmission's hydraulic clutch actuator, which carries a fire risk.
2020
The 2020 Kia Niro offers excellent fuel economy and a practical design, but its average reliability rating, driven by a significant recall for transmission actuator fire risk, demands careful pre-purchase inspection.
2019
The 2019 Kia Niro offers excellent fuel economy and a practical package, but a significant recall concerning the automatic transmission's hydraulic clutch actuator, with potential fire risk, demands careful inspection.
2018
The 2018 Kia Niro offers impressive fuel efficiency for a hybrid, but its average reliability verdict, driven by significant recall activity including a fire risk in the hydraulic clutch actuator, demands careful pre-purchase inspection.
2017
The 2017 Kia Niro offers excellent fuel economy, but its average reliability verdict and significant recall history, particularly concerning fire risk and hybrid system issues, warrant careful inspection and verification of repairs.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the Kia Niro?
Carfocal currently has 10 published Niro reports, covering 2017 through 2026. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2026 Kia Niro presents a strong case for reliability with zero recalls or complaints, earning an 'Excellent' public verdict.
Published year coverage: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
Is the Kia Niro reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every Kia Niro. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2026 kia niro presents a strong case for reliability with zero recalls or complaints, earning an 'excellent' public verdict. and the 2026 kia niro represents a potentially sound value for used car shoppers prioritizing fuel efficiency and initial reliability. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
10 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the Kia Niro?
Across Carfocal's published Niro guides, recurring problem areas include Floor Wiring Assembly, Brake System, and Engine Air Filter. The exact risk depends on the model year, so open the report for the vehicle you are evaluating to see which issues, recalls, and repair concerns apply.
Common problem areas found in published repair predictions: Floor Wiring Assembly, Brake System, and Engine Air Filter.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 10
- Years tracked
- 10
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints