Starts at $26,990
Rank
What's New for 2025?
Essentially unchanged this year, the Niro adds standard rear seatbelt pre-tensioners across the lineup. Also, the SX Touring plug-in hybrid model now comes standard with the Cold Weather package, which includes heated rear seats and a special heater that's said to help preserve all-electric range.
2025 Niro Selector
2025 Kia Niro
FAST FACTS
"The Niro is much more at home in subcompact company than in Compact Hybrid SUVs, where we chose not to cross-list it. Dimensionally, it's clearly a subcompact, and playing in this humbler league makes its lackluster acceleration less objectionable. Bottom line, if you're looking for 50-mpg fuel economy in a value-oriented package, the Niro belongs on your shortlist."—Ranked #2 out of 2 Subcompact Hybrid SUVs
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. There's only one standalone version of the 2025 Kia Niro, and here it is, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
The Niro is one of the slower vehicles you'll find in this price range, barely breaking 80 mph at the quarter mile, but you can't argue with 53 mpg. That figure needs an asterisk, though — if you step up to the EX Touring or SX Touring trim, which come with 18-inch wheels instead of the standard 16s, you'll drop down to 49 mpg combined (53 city/45 highway).
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008, personally driving most new cars on the market every year since. He also served as the project manager for Edmunds' expert vehicle rankings from their inception in 2018, building the product out from the back end to the front end. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has tested, compared and critiqued a ridiculous number of cars in his career.
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