Buying a car is an investment that should be made over the long term with the hope that it will offer dependable transportation. However, as our surveys demonstrate, not all cars can live up to that promise. The Kia Niro is one of the top 10 most dependable vehicles on the market right now, according to our 2017 Annual Auto Survey. Based on the data gathered, we believe that these cars will provide owners with fewer issues than their rivals.
Our survey examines all of the potential issues that can arise with a vehicle.
We look at 17 potential problem areas, ranging from minor annoyances like squeaky brakes and damaged interior trim to severe headaches like out-of-warranty powertrain repairs or issues with four-wheel-drive systems. To calculate a Predicted Reliability Score for each car, we measure the seriousness of each sort of issue. (That score is then used to generate the Niro’s overall score together with information gathered from our track testing, owner satisfaction survey responses, and safety data.)
The five-passenger Kia Nero combines versatile cargo space with high fuel efficiency. This front-wheel-drive hybrid employs a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to produce a total of 139 horsepower. This set-up is connected to a dual-clutch six-speed transmission. When the back seats are folded, a flat cargo floor results from the lithium-ion battery’s location under the rear seat. Overall, we obtained 43 mpg, which is respectable but not up to par with the Hyundai Ioniq or Toyota Prius. The ride is a little bumpy, and the handling is not particularly agile. The power driver seat, which is an option, offers more support than the regular seats do. Automatic emergency braking, intelligent cruise control, and blind-spot recognition with rear cross-traffic alert are just a few of the high-tech safety features that are available, but they tend to raise the price to over $30,000.
Ten-year powertrain and five-year basic warranties each cover one hundred thousand miles. Roadside assistance and all warranties have limitations. Information on warranties is available from the retailer.
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Which issues does the Kia Niro have?
The braking system on the 2019 Kia Niro Hybrid is another model that has a flaw. Owners of Kia Niros vehicles occasionally felt no braking pedal pressure when applying the brakes. This has occasionally resulted in accidents.
An other frequent issue is a defective brake powertrain. The following powertrain problem has been confirmed by a few Kia Niro owners:
Even if it is in “park mode,” your automobile may roll back if you put it in park on a modest slope. Sometimes you have to hit the brakes to stop it from rolling back. The majority of Kia Niro owners claim to occasionally run into this issue.
Possible causes and solutions
What might be causing the brake system and powertrain is unclear. Furthermore, Kia hasn’t made any statements to refute or confirm the reports.
We advise returning it to the Kia dealer if you encounter any of those issues. They ought to examine your car to see if they can resolve the problems.
Set up a time to see your mechanic.
The issues will be examined by your mechanic. Don’t wait to take action if you notice any powertrain problems.
Transmission oil should be checked.
Every Kia owner should have the gearbox system frequently inspected for damage, according to Kia.
Verify your mileage.
It is essential to have your mechanic check or replace your transmission fluid as soon as you reach 30,000 to 60,000 miles. The frequency of your maintenance will depend on how you drive.
When driving your 2017 Kia, do not overbrake.
Transmission problems might be brought on by applying the brakes frequently or keeping your foot on the pedal.
Always keep in mind how important it is to have your brakes tested frequently. Use your engine braking system rather than your parking braking when driving on a mountainous terrain.
Is the hybrid Kia Niro a trustworthy vehicle?
With an overall satisfaction rating of 93.07 percent, the Kia Niro came in second place out of 75 vehicles in the Driver Power ownership survey that was conducted in 2018. Owners complimented the car’s interior, seats, smooth ride, safety features, and infotainment system (which was named best for user-friendliness), however some would have preferred a larger boot. The Niro’s performance was the only other aspect that fell short of several owners’ expectations. With reliability and build quality receiving great marks, it only slightly slid to fourth place in our 2020 results, and it currently holds 15th place in our 2021 results.
In our 2021 Driver Power study, Kia as a brand did well, placing second overall out of 29 manufacturers, far ahead of its Korean rival Hyundai (16th), as well as competitors SEAT (15th), Toyota (fifth), and Suzuki (14th).
Safety
Euro NCAP gave the Kia Niro a “dual rating”; the base model obtained a four-star safety rating, while the model with the optional “advanced driving assistance pack” received the full five stars for its superior performance in the categories of pedestrian protection and safety assistance. The Niro now comes equipped with the features needed to earn a five-star rating.
Seven airbags, ISOFIX child-seat anchor points, and electronic stability control are all standard on the Niro. There are also a number of advanced driver aids available for even greater safety, such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert (which keeps an eye out for approaching cars when you’re reversing out of a parking space).
Is the Kia Niro going out of production?
The Kia Niro is a carryover vehicle with no significant revisions for the 2022 model year. This model year of the Niro is the last for this generation, according to Kia.
What is the Kia Niro’s expected lifespan?
Up to 200,000 miles of service should be possible out of a well-kept Kia Niro before any significant repairs are needed. You can expect your Niro to work flawlessly for up to 13 years if you drive an average of 15,000 miles every year.
The Kia Niro’s battery life is how long?
Batteries for Kia Niro vehicles typically last 3-5 years, however this varies based on the battery type, driving style, environmental factors, and other factors. Regularly starting your Kia Niro will help to extend the life of the battery. Avoid letting your battery sit idle for extended periods of time.
Are Kia hybrid vehicles trustworthy?
How Dependable Is the Hybrid 2020 Kia Optima? The estimated reliability rating for the Kia Optima Hybrid is 83 out of 100. A predicted reliability score from J.D. Power of 91 to 100 is regarded as the best, 81 to 90 as great, 70 to 80 as medium, and 0-69 as fair and below average.
Are Kia Niros slow?
It won’t excite you to drive the Niro. In our tests, we recorded a time of 9.7 seconds for 0-60 mph. Although a little slow, that will still get you where you need to go. Although the dual-clutch automatic transmission shifts relatively slowly, it does so smoothly and without jerks.
To what may the Kia Niro be compared?
The Niro faces competition from compact crossovers like the Subaru Crosstrek to specialized hybrids like the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius.
Though you should think about your practical requirements, there’s a good chance that the Niro will be a good fit for your way of life.
The Volkswagen ID.4 is a fully electric vehicle with a great range and a reasonable price to consider if you’re looking for one.
Kia Niro is it quiet?
Unusually, we didn’t have to sift through the alternatives provided to find Niro when we placed our order. The dealer principal at Romford Kia in Essex, David Charlson, described the standard features, which include a rear parking camera, Android Auto compatibility, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav, Bluetooth, and DAB. That’s a decent amount of equipment for a car that costs $22,795 and is relatively roomy. As a result, there aren’t many extras available; our test car’s lone non-standard feature is the 545 Temptation Red metallic color.
This equipment helps to make the Kia’s practicality its strongest suit. It’s simple to drive, and the hybrid powertrain offers respectable performance and a pleasant feel with the help of the electric motor, which adds extra torque for a comfortable escape. With the exception of some wind noise, visibility is superb, and the Niro is relatively quiet and refined when moving.
Additionally, the ergonomics are good, making it simple to get in and out, and the doors open widely to make it easier to install child safety seats. Perhaps the boot is the only issue. It’s not little, at 373 liters with the underfloor storage, but it’s taller than it is deep. You might find yourself stacking bags on top of one another during a large family shopping trip.
*Insurance estimate from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old Banbury, Oxon, resident with three points is shown below.
Do Kia Niros need to be plugged in?
Hybrid cars come in two varieties: complete hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
They are remarkably similar to one another, yet there is a significant distinction:
A plug for charging the batteries of a full hybrid vehicle is absent. It regenerates energy either manually or with the aid of an intelligent regeneration system. A plug-in hybrid vehicle functions identically like a complete hybrid vehicle, with the addition of a larger battery and the ability to charge it from an electrical outlet. This increases the vehicle’s electric range to 50 kilometers.