2023 Kia Niro problems
The Kia Niro (Korean: 기아 니로) is a compact crossover SUV (C-segment) manufactured by Kia since 2016. It is an electrification-focused vehicle, offering three versions: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric variants.
First generation (DE; 2016)
The first-generation Niro was introduced in 2016. Based on the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq, Kia opted to use dual-clutch transmission instead of the more traditional continuously variable transmission found in most other hybrids to offer a more engaging driving experience.
The size is between the Stonic and Sportage, and very close to the XCeed. In Europe, the Niro was launched in a choice of seven colours and either 16- or 18-inch wheels. It was the first Kia model to feature Android Auto, available from its launch, while Apple CarPlay was made available towards the end of 2016. Seven airbags were included as standard, along with other safety features including autonomous braking, smart cruise control and lane departure warning to name a few. Noise reduction was a key development focus, with Kia achieving a quieter cabin by use of increased front structure insulation and the use of acoustic windshield glass.
Full production started in May 2016 in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, South Korea, with European sales from the third quarter of 2016.
A plug-in version was launched in the United Kingdom in the end of 2017, and in the United States in the beginning of 2018, with an electric version launched in 2018. Towards the end of 2018 and start of 2019, sales of the Niro PHEV ranked highly in Denmark and Sweden in a list of top plug-in car sales.
The Niro received a facelift in 2019 which included changes to the front and rear bumpers, as well as new headlights and color choices. Unlike the prototypes, no production version was ever offered with four wheel drive.
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Common 2023 Kia Niro problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2023 Kia Niro, common problems with this car include:
- Software Faults: Some owners have experienced software faults in the hybrid system of the Kia Niro, leading to issues that are hard to replicate and resolve, impacting the overall performance of the vehicle.
- Driver Assist System: The driver assist system in the Kia Niro EV has been reported to be overly sensitive, constantly beeping and intervening with the steering wheel, which can be frustrating for some drivers.
These problems highlight various aspects of the 2023 Kia Niro that have caused concerns among owners, ranging from performance issues to design features that may not align with everyone's preferences.
Are there any problems with Kia Niro?
Earlier this year, Kia issued a recall for Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid (Kia Niro PHEV) models due to a potential short circuit that could result in engine fires, as announced by the NHTSA on Monday.
What are the disadvantages of the Kia Niro?
While the Niro's electric efficiency and stylish design are definite advantages, there are also some drawbacks to consider, such as slow charging speed, limited cargo space, and a less powerful engine than some of its competitors.
Is Kia Niro good choice?
Road manners are agreeable—if somewhat forgettable—but the Niro feels right at home in urban environments, nailing its mission and earning itself a 2024 Editors' Choice award. If you're looking to go all-electric, Kia also sells a Niro EV; we review that model separately.
Where is the 2023 Kia Niro hybrid made?
Manufacturing Details of the 2023 Kia Niro
The 2023 Kia Niro family includes the 2023 Niro Hybrid, the 2023 Niro Plug-in Hybrid, and the 2023 Niro EV. They are manufactured in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, South Korea.
2023 Kia Niro car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Kia Niro problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Unknown or other problems
- Electrical system problems
- Forward collision avoidance problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2023 Kia Niro vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2023 Kia Niro
The NHTSA has received 34 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2023 Kia Niro. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2023 Kia Niro vehicles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-10
- VIN: KNDCT3L15P5
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: While driving on freeway, at a speed of 65-70MPH. Vehicle appeared to lose power. Navigation screen turned off, dash display dimmed and vehicle seemed to coast and not accelerate. Speed did drop down a bit, but then powered came back on, screen turned on and was able to accelerate again. No warning lights or error messages appeared on screen.
POWER TRAIN,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- VIN: KNDCT3LE3P5
- Components: POWER TRAIN,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Car makes "clicking noises" when accelerating or braking that appears coming from engine bay or front wheels. Other users reported similar issue on consumer forum: [XXX] ) Car dealership does not have availability to diagnose the issue until next month. Car currently has 55,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-24
- VIN: KNDCR3LE7P5
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The air-conditioning compressor failed internally sending debris into the condenser. I have read Kia owners online forums and this is a known problem to Kia, but they have not issued a recall. See: [XXX] I was at the Dealer today and saw another Niro EV with the same AC not working problem. I have attached a picture. My car was repaired under warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-13
- VIN: KNDCR3LE7P5
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Engine light indicating error code P040100. Dealership noted excessive buildup in emission tube, cooler plugged and needs replaced, EGR valve needs replaced. Car has less than 35k miles.
STEERING,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-10
- VIN: KNDCT3LE7P5
- Components: STEERING,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Last year, I purchased a new 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid and had a 24-month lease contract on it. After 9 months (5,700 miles), my car started having problems (Forward Collision Warning, random loss of power steering). My car had to be towed twice to a KIA dealership, where I was told nothing was wrong with my car. They finally agreed to run a scan on the electric syste, where they found a few communication issues. After doing a system update, KIA told me the problems were fixed, however, the car kept having the same problems plus a new one (random Automatic Emergency Braking). At this point, the car was too unreliable to drive so I returned it to my KIA dealership. Although the car clearly had problems that Kia couldn’t fix, I had to pay to get out of my lease and ended up buying another car, not a KIA. I am reporting the issues with the 2023 KIA Niro Hybrid to make sure people are aware of the issues on this particular car in case it is put on the pre owned market. I believe we’ve been very lucky not to get into an accident, my [XXX] drove it in the city and on the highway and I can't imagine what would have happened if the Automatic Emergency Braking would have gone off then. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-01
- VIN: KNDCR3L12P5
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: When slowing with regenerative braking, there is a ticking sound and shaking until the car stops.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-04
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNDCT3LE7P5
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My car drives forward when in reverse. This happened twice. Second time I was able to get it on video. Car Is currently at dealership
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-24
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNDCR3LE0P5
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: While entering into a parking spot at minimal speed, the vehicle experienced an unexpected spontaneous acceleration, causing it to lunge forward, climb onto the curb, and collide with the adjacent building. This resulted mainly in damage to the front end and front passenger door, and the shattering of a large tempered glass window that cushioned the impact. Thankfully, there were no pedestrians on the sidewalk, and the impacted office space was unoccupied at the time of the incident. It is important to note that I was not utilizing the cruise control at the time of the spontaneous acceleration incident and that the vehicle had only been driven 1760 miles since it was purchased, further highlighting the totally unexpected nature of the occurrence. This alarming event of the car accelerating on its own, when it had come to an almost full stop, leads me to believe that the car could pose a significant safety risk. I am deeply troubled by the potential consequences of this spontaneous acceleration; no warning light or collision safety feature turned on. I consider that it is imperative for Kia to conduct a thorough investigation and retrieve the vehicle data to determine the root cause of the incident.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-16
- VIN: KNDCR3L14P5
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I pulled the vehicle out of my garage yesterday and drove it out and turned it around and put it in reverse to park it on a very slight incline on my driveway close to the garage to clean it, put it in park, and shut if off. I spent a couple hours vacuuming and cleaning it. I then went to turn it on to back it into my garage for the night and it lurched backwards in an alarming scary way - I rolled my passenger window down and asked my husband who was right there if there was something in the way that I had just tried to run over with my car. He assured me there was nothing in the way so I put the car in drive and tried to go forward and it did the same thing. It was like I was trying to go over a log or something. (My husband said the same thing had happened to him when he also had it parked on the slight incline and he said to shut it off and try again). I then shut it off, put it in drive and as soon as I took my foot off the brake it flew forward without me ever touching the gas peddle. I slammed on the brakes and it stopped. It was like the cruise control was set to 60mph and it was accelerating without me in control. I tried another time to get it to operate correctly and the next time the rear wheels locked and it flew forward with the wheels locked, leaving a skid mark on my driveway. My husband then took over trying to figure it out and had the same things happen to him. We left it parked outside in our yard and called Kia. It was towed to Berlin City Kia in Williston VT today. This was all recorded on my ring camera. It also did it when the tow truck driver came. He said "I've been doing this for 23 years and I've never had an experience like this".
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-04
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNDCR3LE2P5
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I was driving when another vehicle hit my driver side tire area. Car was totaled but no airbags deployed. It is not available since it has been towed to the salvage yard. I have back pain, however we were fortunate not to have more injuries. It was inspected but not sure if they found anything wrong with the airbags.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-29
- VIN: KNDCT3LEXP5
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: UKNOWN, The Windshield has cracks in it from sitting in the driveway
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-27
- VIN: KNDCR3LE4P5
- Components: AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: My dashboard screen has turned off completely 3 different times in the 14 months I have had the vehicle. It is normally off for several days at a time. When it is off, I have no access to my speed, gas, or any other controls shown on that display. When I run the KIa diagnostic tool, it tells me there is an issue with my airbags. Kia has a recall for this issue but refuses to apply the recall (software update) to my vehicle because it was manufactured 19 days before the recall period. I have photos and videos that I have shared with Kia Corporate every time it happens. Below is the reply from Kia Corporate "Dear [XXX] , Thank you for your inquire. We apologize the service campaign in reference is not related to customers vehicle. If we release a Service Campaign also known as a Safety recall, the customer with the affected vehicle will receive a letter in the mail. This campaign is for Niro thats production date is between September 14, 2022 to March 8, 2023, customers vehicle production date is [XXX]. If you are still having concerns customer is welcome to take the vehicle to an alternate Kia Dealer for a second opinion. Sincerely, [XXX] Phone | [XXX] Kia America" INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-04
- VIN: KNDCR3L17P5
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I received this recall notice that I thin is a scam as it is not listed on your site. U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-05
- VIN: KNDCR3L12P5
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The vehicle is usually charged on a level 2 system set to 40 amps or 9 KW/hr. In October of 2023, I received the following message from the Kia connect application, "Charge Interrupted". The car disconnected electrically from the wall unit/charger because the connector unit in the car where the cable plugs into or internal charging unit was getting hot. This "charging interrupted" is a known issue with Kia and Hyundai electric cars so much so that they have issued a Technical Service Bulletin SB, ELE288 which reprograms the car charging logic for level 2 charging. The TSB dramatically slows down the charge rate (from 9 KW/hr to 5 KW/hr when the connector or charging unit gets hot through normal charging. The net effect of this TSB, work around has doubled the time required to charge at the level 2 rate indicated in the owners manual (Page 1-17). Kia needs to address this problems via a hardware fix rather than covering it with a software work-around which doubles level 2 charging times by reducing the charging rate. I bought this electric car under the impression from the manufacture that it could charge to its battery 0-80% in 6-7 hours. The new reality of the TSB fix for overheated charging components is a 12 plus hour recharge to 80%. The TSB fix for overheating components is reducing the value and the utility of my new car. Please investigate this issue as it also shows up in the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ionic 5 and 6, as all cars are probably using the same connector design or sharing parts.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-12
- VIN: KNDCT3LE4P5
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The car has an issue where the Apple CarPlay system randomly disconnects. I have brought this to the dealership multiple times and they have not been able to fix it. This is a safety hazard because each time the system disconnects and then reconnects, the driver needs to restart the apps that are running at the time which causes a distraction while driving. I have recorded this and also researched this online and it appears to be a very common issue with the Kia systems. In the recording you can see that there is one time where while resetting the system, I had a near crash because the car in front of me stopped unexpectedly. The dealership has already replaced the USB port and the car's head unit and the problem persists. The problem is also repeated with multiple phones (one that is brand new) and multiple Apple manufactured cables.
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-25
- Number Of Injuries: 3
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNDCR3L10P5
- Components: AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: I had front collision that caused by having difficulty switching my foot from acceleration pedal (gas pedal) to brake pedal, my foot movement from gas pedal to brake pedal has been restricted by friction between my shoe and brake pedal that delayed my foot movement and caused the accident, Automatic emergency brake did not function too. Also air bags did not open at this front collision.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-20
- VIN: KNDCR3LF4P5
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The engine oil levels are dropping rapidly. This percentage number is displayed, making the driver think that an oil change is needed or that there is a leak. There seems to be a miscommunication from a sensor to the computer system. The mechanics at the dealer keep saying that nothing is wrong with the car. Because of the rapid decline of the engine oil levels shown on screen, one cannot know with certainty when and if there is a real oil consumption or not. The vehicle was inspected by a KIA dealer who so far, has not been able to diagnose nor fix the issue.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-28
- VIN: KNDCR3LEXP5
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I was 3 1/2 weeks into a four year lease driving this brand new car and it stopped completely in the middle of the road flashing a HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE warning. I nearly died. It would not move nor turn off. Had to be in the shop for 2 weeks. I don’t feel safe in this car and I want out of this lease asap. Kia is not willing to work with me on this
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-11
- VIN: KNDCP3LE1P5
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2023 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost significant motive power and was unable to accelerate above 43 MPH. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle briefly returned to normal functionality, but the failure reoccurred. The EPS, stability control, impending collision, Lane Keep Assist, engine oil pressure, check engine, and catch-all warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed the warning lights were illuminated but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 600.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-03
- VIN: KNDCT3LEXP5
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: I backed out of my drive and began to go forward. Five times in my 2023 Kia Niro HEV within one block the dashboard began to flash red, beeping sounds were emitted, and then the brakes slammed rapidly bringing the car to a stop. My attempts to accelerate were futile until the car let me accelerate about 5 -10 seconds later.. There was absolutely nothing in front of me or to the sides of me or anything coming towards me. This was entirely phantom braking. In four of these phantom forward collision avoidance ( FCA) instances there was nothing in back of me. However, the fifth episode involved a car that was in back of me and nearly rear ended me with the sudden illogical stop caused by the phantom braking. I had the car towed to the dealership. The car dealer did not find any log of this happening and could not make it happen on demand. After three weeks of looking at it, they finally called their national tech line and decided a sensor need to be realigned. They took the fender off the car, did the realignment and declared the vehicle repaired.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-09
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNDCR3LEXP5
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I was in a very light two-car collision on 08-09-2023. Both cars had little to no damages, just very minute scratches that are very hard to see. But two of the airbags on my KIA Niro (front and knee) deployed suddenly, causing me to black out for a couple of minutes and later have a concussion, and the bottom airbag caused a bruise and consistent knee pain to this day. My car is at a Kia Service facility and has been for the past 3 weeks and we haven’t gotten any information from them as to what the problem was. I visited this facility to get some answers and I stated that I think this car has a problem with the airbags, a Kia employee responded with “do not tell that to your insurance”. I have called and called to get answers and they say they don’t know are are trying to figure out why the airbags deployed. Everyone I have spoken to (police officer and paramedics at time of collision, claim adjustor, third-party mechanic etc) all think it’s very strange that the airbags deployed. I have read that KIA currently has airbag recalls on some models and I’m suspecting that my car could also be affected by this. The car is at a Kia facility where it CAN be inspected.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-25
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNDCR3LE1P5
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2023 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while making a left turn a second vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that during the crash the front driver side air bag, the driver's side curtain airbag and driver's side lower leg air bags all deployed as intended but the she sustained severe flesh wounds to both lower legs due to the airbags deploying. The contact was transported to the local trauma center and required multiple surgeries and skin grafts due to the injuries sustained from the airbag deployment. A police report was taken at the scene. During the crash the vehicle was destroyed and was later towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but the manufacturer was not yet contacted. The contact was concern that the injuries were caused by metal fragments from the air bags deploying. The failure mileage was 200.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-23
- VIN: KNDCT3L11P5
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The car continues to not be able to charge at home. My other electric car (different manufacturer polestar) with the same cord charges without issues. The cord only allows 27amps and the car abruptly stops charging over and over. I have to reset it constantly. This continues to be an issue and the car shows no problems with the battery and there is no fix from Kia.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-07
- VIN: KNDCT3LE5P5
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Forward Collision System: When stopped or at low speeds, the vehicle’s forward collision warning will activate for short intervals (roughly 1-2 seconds) randomly. Hybrid Battery: The vehicle won’t go below 50% battery on the hybrid battery and the engine unnecessarily turns on to charge back to 90% when hitting 50% rather the exercising a wider range on the battery such as 20-80%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-02
- VIN: KNDCR3L17P5
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Charge Interruptions session. The Kia Niro EV interrupt charging on a Level 2 50amp ChargePoint Home Flex charge. I contact the Charger company ChargePoint and reduce the power to 40 amps. The car charging improve slightly but continue interruption. The on board CSS J1772 port of the car overheat and stop charging. Same issue that the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Kia EV6, and Genesis EV.
2023 Kia Niro recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2023 Kia Niro.
- Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
- Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
- Consequence: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.
Negative 2023 Kia Niro car reviews
Positive 2023 Kia Niro car reviews
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I've been driving my EX for 2 months now and I'm really enjoying it. The gas mileage is fantastic, especially when I use ECO mode, which is almost all the time. I've been getting about 53 mpg, thanks to the regen braking. The ride quality is pretty good, considering the wheel/tire size. While it could be improved with larger wheels/tires, it would sacrifice the great mileage. I think the wheel/tire size is a good compromise, especially compared to the even smaller wheels/tires on the Prius. The build quality is very high and it almost feels like a luxury car. I was impressed when the sales lady popped the hood and the gas struts raised it up, as it's the first car I've owned that doesn't have a prop rod. The interior is very roomy and comfortable, with plenty of space for four adults. The seats are especially comfortable and the driver's seat is all electric, so it can remember the adjustment settings between different drivers. There's a lot of tech in this car, which I'm still getting used to since I'm coming from a 2003 Subaru. Kia recommends using top tier gas or adding fuel treatment on a regular basis, but I'm using Chevron gas and still getting 53 mpg. While Kia classifies this as an SUV, it's really a compact hybrid wagon, 2wd. If you're in the market for a compact hybrid wagon, I would definitely recommend the Niro. It's a great alternative to the Prius and I think it will give it some serious competition. Although I kept my 2003 Subaru for times when I need an SUV, like during the recent snow storm, the Niro is perfect for my everyday needs.
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I'm currently averaging 44mpg on my new Niro EX. I was specifically looking for a hybrid with up-to-date safety features, comfort, and great mpg, and the Niro delivers on all fronts. While the acceleration from a standing stop is a bit slow, once you get used to the automatic (not cvt) transmission, it's not an issue.
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I bought my vehicle on 9/1/2023 and have driven just under 2,000 miles. My commute is about 25 miles one way on a 60/40 hwy/city loop. I'm averaging about 51 mpg driving 70-80 on the highway and usually closer to 75-80. My last car shared a lot of the running gear with this one. We still have a 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid SEL with no tech package. Both use the 1.6, but now the Niro doesn't have a reverse gear, just uses the EV motor. The Niro is nearly 4 inches taller, and this time I didn't skimp and buy what was on the lot. The dealership found the exact car I was looking for in about a month's time. The only features it doesn't have are the bigger wheels (which I didn't want because of the fuel impact) and the LED headlights (not worth 2+K cost). The Niro can literally drive better than me at times. I am so appreciative of the driving aids and use them every trip because it decreases the demand on me when I am driving. Night and day, when I drive the Ioniq, it needs lots of steering inputs to continue driving straight versus the Niro that just needs your hand on the wheel to provide occasional inputs so the car knows you are still holding the wheel. Other reviewers who complain about the beeping of lane warning etc. are driving poorly, and the car is warning them of it. If you engage the auto-steering, it won't beep because it will fix your bad driving. Also, if you're passing too closely, it beeps to warn you that you are making an unsafe maneuver, which again isn't the car working improperly, it is you making a risky move.I've been driving this hybrid system for almost 5 years now, including my time with the Ioniq, and I've learned a few things about getting the best mileage out of it. Firstly, it's worth noting that manufacturer tires tend to be more efficient than replacement tires. Secondly, maintaining the correct tire pressure is critical - if you don't, your mileage could be impacted by 4-8mpg. It's also worth bearing in mind that hilly driving conditions can affect your mileage, as can ambient temperature and use of the climate control (which can impact mileage by 5-12 mpg). This is particularly true in cold weather, as the air conditioner will run on electricity, while the heater uses the engine to produce heat. Additionally, winter gas is less energy-dense due to additives, so mileage will decrease as a result. Finally, cold weather can make the battery less efficient. In the coldest weather (-5F) with climate control, winter gas, my fast driving and probably not optimal tire pressure, I would get 42 mpg in the Ioniq. This is still respectable given the conditions. In my old 2012 Ford Focus, which was about the same size as the Ioniq, I would get low twenties in that weather. The last thing to bear in mind is that speed can have a big impact on your mileage. If I drive the Niro at a strict 70 on the highway, I can get more than 54 mpg. Unfortunately, I'm too impatient and don't like driving that slow. When I drove home at 80 and accelerated aggressively, I got a little bit more than 48 mpg on the trip. All of these factors mean that your mileage probably won't match the lab-tested numbers that aren't truly representative of normal driving. However, I'm still extremely happy with my car. I love all the tech features, including the heated/cooled seats and heated steering wheel. If you want a quieter cabin, it's worth noting that the SX has additional side glass lamination, so you'll need to get an SX or higher.One upgrade I highly recommend, especially if your phone has wireless charging capabilities, is to buy a wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto dongle. This way, you won't have to plug in your phone. Although my old phone wasn't new enough to work with the dongle, my new phone is, and it really impacts how you interact with the car because you don’t ever have to plug in your phone to the car again. It's a game changer, kinda like push button start. Once you have it, you never want to go back. [Dealer experience redacted]
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I owned a 2017 for almost 6 years and absolutely loved it! I was able to get an average of 55 MPG, which was fantastic. Recently, I upgraded to a new 2023 model and it is even more amazing. Since my purchase, I have been getting an average of 58 to 62 MPG. One of the things I love about it is that when I get up to speed and let off the gas pedal, the Niro goes to battery, which is really cool. I live in Florida, so I don't encounter many hills and the warm weather definitely helps. However, when the temperature drops to 50° or below, the mileage does drop a bit. Even on short in-town trips, I have been able to get 80 plus MPG, which is really impressive!
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So, it's been two weeks today since I got it on 5/14/23 and I'm already getting 100 mpg! It takes some getting used to the regenerative brakes that charge the battery, but I absolutely love the mileage. The inside is spacious and state of the art! This was definitely the best decision we've made lately.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2023 Kia Niro problems:
Top 4 Reasons Why You Should NOT Buy The 2023 Kia Niro ...
Nov 5, 2022 ... This may come as a surprise but there actually are reasons to not buy the 2023 Kia Niro. The gas mileage is just too high, the cargo space ...
2023 Kia Niro Issues : r/KiaNiro
Nov 15, 2022 ... This is an unfortunate problem with almost all makers on first year production. Lots of little bugs get through the design and assembly process, ...
Why Carl Doesn't Trust Kia | 2023 Kia Niro EV Interior - YouTube
Dec 12, 2022 ... Carl attempts to overcome his anti-Kia prejudice by looking at the interior of the Niro. We would really appreciate it if you subscribe to ...
2023 Kia Niro falling apart | Kia Niro Forum
Dec 29, 2023 ... It might be as simple as a loose wire on the O2 sensor or a bad O2 sensor, both of which are pretty common problems, but a test drive with live ...
2023 Kia Niro Reliability - Consumer Reports
Screen registered crack as a touch and controls went crazy, turning AC on and off, switching media around, all at once. Often could not be turned off - would ...
Other years of Kia Niro
Are you having problems with your 2023 Kia Niro?
Johnathon Moen 2025-01-08
Hey there! I understand you're interested in purchasing a 2023 Kia Niro hybrid, but based on my personal experience, I would recommend considering other options. Unfortunately, I had some trouble with my own Kia Niro hybrid just three weeks into my four-year lease. With only 1100 miles on the car, the hybrid system failed and the car stopped in the middle of the road. It was definitely frustrating, but I hope this information helps you make an informed decision. Let me know if you have any questions!
Louie Gutkowski 2024-02-11
* The car drives really well and has a lot of interesting tech features. However, I have noticed that the USB port doesn't work consistently, even after trying different cables. This can be frustrating, especially since Apple Carplay disconnects at random due to the USB issue, making navigation and entertainment unavailable. *