Kia Niro

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2021 Kia Niro PHEV Review: Worthy but not royalty

Unveiled by the South Korean manufacturer five years ago, the Kia Niro debuted in the United States in 2018. The five-door subcompact joins the list of unheralded vehicles offered as gas-powered crossovers, hybrid plug-in electric vehicles (PHEV) and electric-only options. Many of the little SUVs seem much the same. The 2021 Niro has the identical platform as close automotive relatives, the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Ioniq. (Hyundai owns about one-third of Kia.) The Niro revisits last year’s model with a few updates. The front grille has a new diamond shape. The headlamps are also new and the wheels have been redesigned. Key Takeaways Plug-in hybrid: 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a 43-horsepower traction motor and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. 26 miles of

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2018 Kia Niro Review: Joins Hyundai Ioniq to challenge Prius

Once upon a time, car categories were simple: sedans, convertibles, station wagons, vans and pick-up trucks. Vehicles had concise, practical names often referencing ferocious or fast animals. But ambiguity now reigns. Consider the 2018 Kia Niro and its close relative, the Hyundai Ioniq. The former, introduced two years ago, is designated as a subcompact crossover hybrid SUV, but it more resembles a hatchback. It doesn’t offer all-wheel drive or extra ground clearance, customary SUV characteristics. Key Takeaways Test car: the plug-in hybrid Niro, new for 2018, at about $35,000 MSRP before tax credits. $4,543 federal and $1,500 California tax credits, plus access to HOV lanes. 139 horsepower from a four-cylinder engine and electric motor through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. 26-mile

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2017 Kia Niro Review: New compact SUV redefines hybrid

The 2017 Kia Niro is new in the South Korean manufacturer’s lineup. It’s a sub-compact hybrid utility vehicle that looks more like a handsome, streamlined wagon. And it performs well enough to earn the loose translation of its name, strength. Unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, the Kia Niro uses a 1.6-liter hybrid-electric powertrain with 139 horsepower. It’s built with lightweight metals which help most trims achieve the SUV‘s superior gas mileage estimates: 46 miles per gallon in city driving, 40 miles per gallon on the freeway. Accessories lights are all operated via the hybrid engine. There’s no traditional battery. Key Takeaways Powertrain: a 1.6-liter hybrid-electric system with 139 horsepower and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. $30,545 as tested for

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Super Bowl: Melissa McCarthy saves the planet in a Kia

Kia takes chances with its Super Bowl commercials. Who would have thought a pack of talking hamsters would be successful promoting the Kia Soul? But it’s been a hit for years. The Kia commercial last year featuring Christopher Walken, the “Walken Closet,” and beige and colorful sock puppets is arguably on the top-10 all-time Super Bowl commercials list. It brilliantly promoted the Kia Optima. And now comes along Melissa McCarthy, the comedic actress who while driving a 2017 Kia Niro has the task of saving the planet. She tries to save whales, trees, the polar ice cap and the rhinoceros kingdom. While promoting the 2017 Kia Niro, McCarthy meets catastrophe in each of her attempts to be an eco-warrior. The

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