Used Kia Niro (Mk2, 2022-date) buyer's guide: something for everyone
A full used buyer's guide on the Kia Niro, covering the Mk2 that has been on sale in the UK since 2022
Verdict
Offering ICE and EV options in the same model can be a recipe for disaster because it can mean too much compromise, but the Kia Niro done a good job, because it works well whichever powertrain you pick. The driving experience isn’t great, but the Kia is more impressive when it comes to the practical aspects, ensuring that this is a car that’s easy to live with, thanks to its roomy cabin, seven-year warranty, user-friendly infotainment and standard equipment. That tech can be unreliable, as we found when we ran a Niro for six months, but keep the software up to date and this smart-looking SUV should be a breeze to live with.
If you had to name a car maker with a wide range of neat-looking and distinctive models, which are good value, well equipped and reliable – in other words great all-rounders – the chances are that you’d nominate Kia.
It’s a brand that has achieved a huge amount over the past decade, expanding and replacing its product range to give it a good variety of models that are easy to recommend. If you were asked which models are Kia’s most popular, you probably wouldn’t name the Niro, but since the original model was launched a decade ago, it has gone on to become Kia’s second-most popular model in the UK. However, with stiff competition from within Kia’s own range, the Niro will soon be axed, but does that mean that it’s already past its sell-by date?
History
The second-generation Niro went on sale in the UK in April 2022. From the outset there were hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric powertrains, all of which were available with three trims (2, 3, 4).
A 1.6 GDi petrol engine is at the heart of the 139bhp Niro hybrid and 180bhp plug-in hybrid; in the latter there’s an 11.1kWh battery, and both models have a six-speed dual-clutch auto transmission.
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The all-electric Niro EV has a 64.8kWh battery and a 201bhp electric motor that drives the front wheels. And that’s it – apart from the introduction of a special-edition Horizon edition in December 2023 (for the Niro EV only), there has been no development of the Niro in the UK. A facelifted model was recently unveiled in other markets, but the UK won’t see it.
Which one should I buy?
The hybrid is the most commonly available model, but the more costly plug-in hybrid offers the opportunity to reduce your fuel bills if you can charge at home and you do mainly shorter journeys. EV editions also represent great value, but you might not be ready to go fully electric yet.
When it comes to equipment levels, the hybrids have one specification but the EV is slightly different. Highlights on all 2-spec models include LED headlights, an eight-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, a rear camera and rear parking sensors. The 3 adds artificial-leather trim, electrically folding door mirrors, front parking sensors, heating for the front seats and steering wheel, privacy glass and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation.
The 4 has electrically adjustable front seats, heated outer rear seats, a powered tailgate, ventilated front seats, an opening sunroof and remote parking.
Prices
When new, the plug-in hybrid carried a premium of around £5,000 over the hybrid, with the Niro EV another £2,200 on top of that. Almost one in three used Niros is an electric edition; 60 per cent are hybrids with the remaining one in 10 (or so) being plug-in hybrid versions.
The cheapest Niros are electric, while the most popular trim is 2, which accounts for almost half of the Niros available. 3 is next, with 4 the most unusual (but still common with so many Niros for sale).
You can buy a used Kia Niro for just over £15,000 through our Buy a Car service.
Check the price of a used Kia Niro with our free car valuation tool...
On the road
You're not going to buy a Niro for the driving excitement that it offers, but that’ll come as no surprise. What you will be able to enjoy is an easy drive (all Niros are autos) and a comfortable ride, especially on the Niro 2 hybrid, which comes on 16-inch alloys (the EV is on 17s though).
While thrills are absent, there is plenty of grip in the bends and stability at motorway speeds, and refinement is good.
There are two driving modes: Eco and Sport, with an obvious difference between them; Sport is snappier, with a noticeably sharper throttle response.
Alternatives to the Kia Niro
There's no shortage of small SUVs, not least Kia’s own Stonic, but the Hyundai Kona and Renault Captur are appealing alternatives, along with the Toyota C-HR.
You should check out the Ford Puma as well as the Honda HR-V, Nissan Juke, Skoda Kamiq and VW T-Cross, while Stellantis offers the Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroen C3 Aircross, Fiat 600, Peugeot 2008 and Vauxhall Frontera. All of those products are available in EV form, as is the Jeep Avenger.
Other pure-electric rivals include the MG ZS and MG4, the Renault Megane E-Tech and 4, along with the Hyundai Kona electric, Kia EV3 and Smart #1. Also on your shortlist should be the Volvo EX30.
What to look for
On the range
Kia claims that the Niro EV is capable of up to 285 miles on a single charge; you can expect 230-260 miles in the real world. The plug-in hybrid is rated at up to 40 miles in electric mode; expect 25-30 miles.
Keep cool
The hybrid powertrain is fitted with something called an exhaust heat recovery system (HERS) which incudes a bypass valve. This valve can fail, leading to a coolant leak that results in the engine overheating.
Light duties
Condensation in the LED headlights is not unusual, but it’s not a problem. More of an issue is the infotainment system freezing or the screen lagging. Keeping the software up to date should help.
All the gear
All hybrids and plug-in hybrids have a dual-clutch transmission, which can become jerky with its changes. Changing the fluid can help, but the electronics will always limit how slick things are.
Interior
Quality-wise, the cabin is good but not outstanding; unsurprisingly, top-spec models feel classier. The design is clear, the infotainment easy, and there’s lots of head and legroom. Boot space varies according to powertrain. It’s 475-1,392 litres for the EV, 451-1,445 for the hybrid, and 348-1,342 litres for the plug-in hybrid.
Running costs
The hybrid and plug-in hybrid have to be serviced every 12 months or 10,000 miles; the EV stretches this to every two years or 20,000 miles. EV services alternate between Minor and Major at £256 and £397; the hybrids run on a four-year cycle (£204, £379, £204, £729).
The £204 service is an inspection, with no parts replaced (not even the oil and filter), and the GDi petrol engine has no cambelt to replace. Three-year service plans are available at £389 for EVs and £709 for hybrids.
Hybrid Niros sit in insurance groups 18-21, plug-in hybrids are rated 23-25 and EVs are in groups 28-30. All hybrid Niros cost less than £40k when new and all electric editions were less than £50k, so there’s no expensive car supplement to pay on the road tax, which means you’re liable only for the standard £200 charge each year.
Recalls
Whereas the original Niro was recalled no fewer than seven times, its successor has yet to be the subject of any campaigns. Some of the problems that could affect the Niro Mk1 included clutch hydraulics, coolant leaks, driveshafts and differential failures.
So far, the Niro Mk2 hasn’t been affected by any of these, but across the Kia range various issues have cropped up. These include problematic digital instrument clusters in many of the models, suspension failures (PV5), brake servo glitches (several models) and oil leaks (Stinger). Other recalls have centred on faulty charging units (EV6), airbags (Soul Mk3) and fuel leaks (Sorento).
To see if a car is subject to a recall, put its VIN into tinyurl.com/36e6bxw6.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
The Niro Mk2 made its Driver Power debut in 2022, in an unimpressive 60th out of 75, and didn’t appear again until this year, when it came 28th out of 50.
While that overall score isn’t so great, first places for economy and running costs are impressive, but that’s it for top-10 rankings.
Where the Niro really falls down is with the driving experience, where it comes 41st, but a 15th spot for quality and reliability suggests ownership can be reasonably painless.
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