Looking for an inexpensive electric-powered commuter car to save on the gas? Well, have we got just the car for you! Look no further at this 2023 Kia Niro PHEV EX.
Yes, we know. This isn’t the fully electric version in the Niro lineup, but this plug-in hybrid model is the better choice for most. By pairing an electric motor with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, the Niro PHEV has the ability to travel solely on electric power for 55 kilometres — enough for most urban daily commutes — and cover up to 835 kilometres on a single tank of gas. That, in our opinion, is the best of both worlds, balancing fuel savings and real-world drive range.
First, we’ll start with the styling. The Niro PHEV fits in with most mainstream crossovers with its understated styling and typical two-box compact body design. While its styling is not nearly as striking as the Hyundai IONIQ 5 or Kia EV6, it serves a purpose in maximizing aerodynamics. The distinctive ‘Aero Blade’ towards the rear is designed to channel airflow underneath the D-pillar, which helps the Niro achieve a drag coefficient of 0.29 — a remarkable number for a mainstream crossover.
Inside, the Niro follows the current Kia’s minimalistic and uncluttered design, where a big screen and a two-function touch panel takes over most of the infotainment and climate control duties. Operating the touchscreen is rather straightforward and intuitive, but the touch panel is a bit more cumbersome. Similar to what we’ve seen — and complained about — in the EV6, the panel can be selected to display either audio or climate control functions. It took a bit of a time to get used to, ensuring each time you’re in the right panel to avoid adjusting the wrong function. Even after several days, the process of making a simple temperature adjustment still required deliberately taking attention away from the road and we prefer having separate dials for separate functions.
The good news is, once you have the desired temperature, volume, and playlist set up, the rest is as easy as it gets. There is good space for four people, the cabin is relatively quiet, and the suspension is well-suited to deliver a compliant ride. Cargo space is rated at 550 litres, and includes a compartment below the load floor to stow the charging cable that can be used with any 120-volt outlet. As a PHEV, its battery size is relatively small so we had no issues keeping the Niro PHEV topped up just by using Level 1 (120 V) charging overnight. If you have access to a Level 2 (240 V) charger, the battery can be fully charged in as little as 2 hours and 45 minutes.
With the electric motor and gas engine working together, the the Niro PHEV pumps out 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Those used to seeing monstrous power output from full-EVs may balk at the Niro’s figures, or lack thereof, but in the real world, it’s no slouch getting off the line. Thanks to the electric motor generating torque right away, the Niro has enough kick to handle any regular city driving, and the engine takes over once the battery is depleted, or if more power is required for acceleration.
Similar to any mainstream crossover, electric or otherwise, there’s not a lot to write home about when it comes to the Niro PHEV’s driving dynamics. It’s really easy to drive, with light and accurate steering, and throttle response is above average thanks to the instant response from the electric motors. Its compact footprint also makes it a breeze to scoot around town, and the large windows offer great visibility all around. The Niro PHEV also comes with the basic driving assists we’ve come to expect these days, including forward-collision alert, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and much more.
Fuel savings is the main selling point of the Niro PHEV, and there is a lot to like in this regard. When it comes to plug-in hybrids, fuel consumption largely depends on how much one can get out of using pure electric power. Our week consisted of short city drives to and from the office, grocery stores, and taking the kids to various recreational activities, so we averaged as little as 2.1 L/100 km of regular-grade gasoline for the week, handily beating Natural Resource Canada’s official, combined rating of 4.8 L/100 km.
With an as-tested price of $38,245, including $250 for a color Kia calls Mineral Blue, the Niro plug-in hybrid is easily $15,000 cheaper than comparable EVs such as the EV6, the Toyota bZ4X, and the Volkswagen ID.4. They aren’t exactly the same, but all of these serve a similar purpose as a commuter vehicle with a minimal carbon footprint. There is a lot to like here in the 2023 Kia Niro PHEV EX, and we stand by what we said earlier — this is the better EV for most.
