2017 Kia Niro Review and Road Test DETAILED in 4K UHD! 

thank you for reviewing the BASE model unlike other reviewers. this is the model i'm considering

I just did the first fillup of my Niro LX, with 1/4 tank left. I got 54.54 MPG! Not too shabby, and I don't drive like granny..

After eight fillups of my Niro LX I am averaging 55 MPG. It's great.

My wife just got the lx, I am 6’2 and have lots of room in front and back. Not fast but adequate and great price

Ive had my Niro for three weeks almost and I gotta say I am content with it! Sport mode is fun haha

I'm not a car person, but your presentation is so smooth, professional, and well done that I'm subbing.

The debate over "what category does it fit into" is unimportant. What matters is: How will it be used? and In what general price range does it fall? Compare it to other vehicles that will be used in a similar way and are similarly priced. It doesn't matter if they are hatchbacks or CUVs, AWD or FWD, hybrid or conventional.

Excellent and most accurate car reviews of all car reviews in the RU-vid! !!!! I think this Niro is direct competitive with Toyota Prius V which is more than $4000 expensive.

This thing is a gorgeous supermodel compared to the Prius

Alex, Even though it is mid-May, I thank you for reminding us of the safety benefits of winter tires vs all season tires.

I see you Alex listening to Nat King Cole. A classy artist for a classy car reviewer.

I've always considered these vehicles much closer to the old fashioned station wagon. Although in this case, more of a mini wagon.

I have a 2018 and 2020 these niros are awesome

Excellent review and comparisons! The best I've seen yet on the net, and I've watched a few. My choice will be between the Niro and HR-V. Thanks for a great job, Alex.

You just make such quality videos. You’re now my default search termWhen looking for research on a car.

As a Korean guy: I'd buy this one day Alex.

I love it. I drive the Touring. Roomy and fun to drive. I get about 500 miles to the tank. Not disappointed. I live in the DC/VA area. Before that I had a 2009 Ford Escape Limited V6. Gas sucker.

I'm thinking of getting a used niro FE and this is THE BEST review I've found. Most are on the upgraded one or aren't as detailed as you. Awesome job!! 👏🏼

I would say crossover I have the 2019 Kia Niro EX premium love mine haven’t have it for very long got it Friday night

partly because you own the EV and partly because I'm torn between the Niro and the Soul, I wish you had compared them. still a great overall video as always!

If I ever get a crossover, it’ll definitely be a hybrid

Great review, Alex! You covered all of the aspects of the Kia Niro perfectly! I actually just recently conducted my full review of the all-new Kia Niro, too! It impressed quite a bit, and it fared pretty well in my tests! Keep up the great work, Alex! I am looking forward to your Ioniq review. 👍 -DriveAndBeDriven 🚘 "The Quest To Record The Best!" 📽

Alex, you make some really nice reviews. thanks for all your hard work.

Thanks for the review of DeNiro 🤣 Can't unhear it 😂

... and if you install a CamWipe, the backup camera lenses can be wiped clean whenever the rear wiper is on! With Michelin CrossClimate2 205/60/16 on a EX trim, I am able to get 61 MPG (vs57.5 MPG on OEM tires) consistently while the bumps are getting soak up by these All-Weather Grand Touring extremely quiet, excellent in handling and comfortable tires. You are right about tires makes a lot of difference.

Alex, another excellent review, unbiased and throughly informative. As for category, not really that import, this car stands on it's own merits. If you need a four wheeled drive, move on. The Nero has staked it's reputation on fuel economy, and comfort.

IMPRESSIVE REVIEW..We agree with you Alex and bought the 2019 Niro Touring and absolutely LOVE IT!! The 18 inch wheels and tires make all the difference compared to the lower trim levels, there Michelin tires and they offer GREAT handling too..Very quite..Love the Duel-clutch trans over a CVT any day...And using the sport shifting makes a huge difference in power..I use it getting on the highway then put it back in normal mode.. Win-Win!!

Exceptional review. Very well done. I have subscribed.

Your editing is amazing as well as your reviews. Thanks again Alex. Glad you sound better after your head cold.

It's a "sportwagon" with Crossover dna, which is not a bad thing. A good strategy for the US consumer. I rather be seen driving this around than the Prius (Awkward design). The trim options price​ does creep into larger CUV class territory, however you are awarded with fuel efficiency which in the long term saves money. An easy choice If you are in the market. BTW... 4 wheel drive is overrated and usually misunderstood. Just slow down or like Alex suggest, get winter tires. Great review Alex!

I purchased a Prius Prime in 2017 for my wife. Since she drives it primarily around town, her mpg calculation determined 168 mpg. I have both 220 & 110 charge capabilities, but because the worse case charge is only 5 hours on 110, I've recharging with only the 110. We purchased the white color with the white interior. The white interior with black trim adds a significant level of sportiness to this car. I've replaced the standard Dunlop tires with Michelin Premiums & added a spare tire. I would not recommend the RunFlat tire types. The whole car handles far better during all conditions with the Michelins than it ever did with Dunlops and the mpg has not changed. I've recently evaluated the Honda Clarity & I was so impressed with this car, that I would recommend to anyone that if you're looking for a Hybrid PlugIn. The only disadvantage is the display is smaller than the Prius Prime.

The Niro is definitely a smart move by Kia because it competes with wide variety of cars but for me it competes directly to the Prius V.

crossover yes. most people dont need awd and rarely take their cars offroad. its much larger than other hybrids and not butt ugly or eco freak friendly. this car is common sense personified, it has efficiency, promises nothing bold, but delivers everything a road trip car should. even as a grocery getter, this thing slays the ugly ass prius

Alex always thorough, you are the standard by which I measure all other car reviewers. BTW thanks for the explanation of the Torque values. I was confused last time on the Touring Niro review.

like always,a great review Alex!the best.

Great review. Just the info I was looking for. Keep it up!

Great video Alex. Appreciate all the effort out in to making this.

Kia and Hyundai are killing it !

Listening to "Technologic" by Daft Punk. Alex confirmed for great taste in music.

Your videos are always so detailed and great keep it up!

14:43 never thought I'd see the day when I hear a Kia is more engaging than a Honda

The LX is worth the extra money compared FE trim in my opinion. However I'm glad the FE is very well equipped in the first place. I'd likely buy this if I was car shopping.

I know there are some concerns about DCT's (previous KIA vehicles and could also come up with this car) in general, however, I think most of the fears have come from people misunderstanding how DCT's work. Many are simply not used to how DCT's operate, especially at low speeds. Since it is an automated manual it will feel jolty from a standstill in comparison to a regular torque converter tranny. I have the 2016 kia soul lx turbo with the dct and while I only have driven it for a few thousand miles, I cannot attest to its long term reliability but so far it has been very, very good! I prefer it over a conventional transmission due to its efficiency and the problems with hunting for a gear being near gone. I highly suggest you try it out for yourself! Cheers everyone!

I traded a Ford C-Max that I'd driven for five years on a Kia Niro EX. I am delighted with the Niro, which is quieter, more attractive, more fuel-efficientr, and more fun to drive. The Kia's smaller turning radius is a big plus, as is its greater rear seat legroom. Kia also has included CarPlay, which allows me to link my iPhone to the Kia's screen for trip navigation and other functions. Other features I like more than I expected are the lane change and backing-up warnings when other cars are in the Niro's path. While the Niro is somewhat sluggish in the Eco mode, slapping the stick over to the Sport mode provides for quick getaways. According to the Niro's computer, I drive normally and economically about 50% each, with just a touch of aggressive driving now and then (it's never exceeded 3%). I'm getting 44-45 mpg in almost exclusively highway driving, not far off the EPA estimate of 46 highway. (The C-Max was initially rated at 47 mpg overall, but that was reduced to 43 and then to 40. I never got more than about 37 mpg.) Kia has some phenomenal incentives for leasing the vehicle; you should check them out. This is the first review of Alex's that I have watched, and I found his commentary accurate.

Thanks for your detail reviews it helps a lot.

"our exclusive 24" roller bag test", "our exclusive truck sitting test" these jokes of exclusive to Northern Californian. you-da-man Alex.

I like that unlike the Prius it has a traditional car gauges

Thank you, Alex, for a great review. I never considered the Kia Niro before. I agree that this blurs (again) the lines between a typical hatchback/wagon and crossover. Since it does not have AWD, but retains the spirit of a crossover, I would consider it a crossover. The Niro's market may be for people who want that look, but the efficiency of a hybrid.

If there's a different ad setting which meets your financial goals and avoids interstitial video ads, please try it. Normally I watch all your videos, but "commercial breaks" make me want to skip videos until there's a vehicle in which I'm particularly interested.

I am considering this car because I need better fuel mileage but need to shop at Costco at times and need cargo area in the back that just isn't found on a prius.

The vast majority of drivers without homes with private garages, a pug in electric vehicle is out of the question so a hybrid is an amazing choice for most. Love this mid sized SUV shape compared to the Prius. Really like the fact that they didn't saddle the vehicle with an anemic CVT. The hybrid is superior for people who do a mix of driving and in fact the more traffic heavy around town driving the better as that is where the hybrid really shines. Since Tesla refuses to make a hybrid, and the VW Tiguan isn't offered as a hybrid, this KIA NIRO is the idea alternative.

Yo, man - thanks for once again, a great review. Agree about the choice between all-season tire and AWD car vs. winter tire and FWD car - though you should have added snowy conditions mandate winter tires, and AWD vehicles in combination with those would almost always make the definite choice. Impeccable work otherwise, keep the channel alive!

Got to say. I love this review style Alex. And while I don't recommend getting a 2017 due to first year issues I would look forward to a 2018 model. My wife prefers a vehicle that looks like a SUV and this would be in my top 5 list. She could care less about all well drive.

Very well review! Well done! I wish you'd do Podcasts too

I just bought one and it is not a crossover...Just a car with a little higher ground clearance..... Great little car though....We really like it..

Thanks for this review. I am torn between the Niro EX and the Ioniq SEL models. I feel like those are the 2 at the top of my list. I kind of want the Niro for the higher up feeling but since I currently have a regular Sonata, the Ioniq would be nice because I would be familiar with the inside buttons and such. But the fact that I live in MN, I like the higher ground clearance of the Niro. Decisions, decisions. I still have time to think about it though.

The term "crossover" is broad, since it basically means a combination of car classifications & features. If this was the 1990s, the Niro would be a "Minivan", like the 1st gen Honda Odyssey with 4-doors. It's probably called a MPV in other countries, just like a Kia Soul or Honda Fit. As with all car classes, the sizes have grown considerably.

3:32 what is with those fuel figures? with a Niro, you can get a MEDIUM figure of 65 MPG easy !!! And i have a full spare wheel, as well :) i am driving it for 3 years and it is a fantastic car!

5900 miles and never under 56 MPG. LX model, 280lb driver doing Uber and Lyft. Guess what else the Niro does... There are no 12v batteries in the Niro! It uses the hybrid battery all the time and a integrated 12v battery/capacitor.

Great review, as usual, Alex! Ton of great info; you easily make the most informative, but engaging car reviews on RU-vid. Thanks for that. I would love to get your input on how this compares to the VW Golf SportWagen. It seems that might even be a closer comparison to some of the crossover you mentioned. Thoughts?

I also wish they had the 4x4 option. But I'd still consider it a crossover for the reasons you mentioned.

I bought a 2019 Niro Touring. Very nice, comfy, roomy for a small station wagon. Efficient, and with sport mode on, I need to hold back on the pedal or it will spin the tires from a stop.

It's a crossover because the seat is up higher than in a normal compact car. Subaru Crosstreck is very similar and also considered a crossover.

Finding a category for the Niro is like finding a category for the Soul or the Subaru Crosstrek. The Soul (al least if I remember correctly) was a modified Rio intended to compete in a niche market that people started referring to as a crossover in 2014 due to the redesign and its endless cargo capacity. The Crosstrek, on the other hand, is just an Impreza with a lift kit and bulky fenders. Given its shape and size, I would consider the Niro a subcompact crossover, due to the Soul originally being a boxcar competitor and the Crosstrek being otherwise no different from an Impreza hatch. Those vehicles are not crossovers in my eyes. The Niro is.

Great review!

I just down-sized to this vehicke, I'm hapy to hear your review. It's not a Prius but you'd have to khurt me before I owned a Prius. No offense to those who drive a Prious. Daaaaannnkks!

Great review as always Alex! Could you please get in a review of a 2017 Toyota Prius V Five? I know it's the last year of the V and I'm thinking about picking one up. Would really appreciate it.

Your review of the Ioniq was pretty glowing. Why did you give the nod to the Prius among the hybrids?

Americans don't like the term hatchback so if you just give something a slightly higher ride height and bam call it a SUV It's all about marketing people!

I put 423K on my FE before I had a major failure. The hybrid battery died.

I dont understand why they make these so short, this would be such a more useful vehicle if there was another 1 foot of length for use in the trunk, just add it to the overhang behind the rear wheels nothing else needs to change, just some sheet metal.

Hey Alex. Can you test the new bodystyle Jeep Compass in Limited AWD trim? Thank You Sir!

Great review. Is there any info yet on when the plug-in version will come out? Definitely liking the Niro, just wondering if it might be worth waiting for the plug-in if it's indeed coming soon.

I think it should have a sport button that greatly improves merging and passing. I tried the Prius V sport button and it did next to nothing.

Good review. I have been driving a Niro EX for the past 2 weeks. Beware of the Niro's weight restriction in the rear cargo area: not to exceed 130#/59Kg. I bought the Niro (EX) unaware of that parameter. Soon enough, I will know if that rear area can support a half-keg of beer...

nice info layout

In sport mode I read somewhere that it beats the Prius 0-60 by a whole second or more

Very thorough review of this vehicle. Wondering how you would grade the top end Niro equipped with Touring/tech package verses the Lexus CT200h FSport. Thanks.

To me a crossover is just a bloated hatchback or wagon. They styled it to look like an suv, so I guess it's a crossover.

Alex, when performing your video ending comparisons, is there a reason you didn't select the Toyota Prius V? You used the regular Prius, and IMO the Prius V is probably a better comparison. Having said that I still think the Kia Niro compares favorably, simply because of regular transmission vs Prius CVT.

This is very well-appointed for a base model and I would, quite frankly, rather have this base Niro over our absolutely loaded HR-V EX-L w/ Navi. I've not been impressed with the Honda, and my limited experience with the Niro has been nothing but positive.

Add in some "strange physics"... I got to temporarily borrow/use a friends Kia Nero (base model) for just over five hundred miles. I live in suburban :Pittsburgh/SW PA. For those not quite familiar with the region of Pittsburgh; the geography is such that... One cannot travel very far without continual up and down hills of several hundred feet. Go just slightly east and those hills then add up to (very) minor mountains of a few thousand feet. I too saw the sales sticker, and it is an incredible deal on the vehicle... Especially when one factors in the federal rebate; which takes the price almost to the level of the Kia Soul. Given the closeness in price to the Kia Soul; it would actually be better to get the larger Niro; which adds almost 20mpg and a larger sized vehicle. Back to how geography SHOULD effect the Niro. One would think that a region with even more hills than San Francisco one would not be able to obtain those mpg ratings, but... Using that built in mpg trip computer nd also backing it up with documenting all of the math. In the just over five hundred miles - I got just over 51mpg.

I thought the review was great, though would have liked to see a comparison with the Rav 4 Hybrid. Also, I thought I had seen that the upper trim levels of the Niro have additional noise reduction, such as better glass, that is part of the increased weight. Am I remembering correctly? If so, it would see the cabin noise rating would be better in the higher trims.

at: 24:50 ... if the temperature drops bellow -40 degrees, i suggest you stay inside (your house)... and get lots and lots of blankets... there is no way you are going to drive at such a low temperature...

Yes. It's a crossover. Silly question.

Do you know why the Kia Niro isn't a Top Safety Pick for IIHS? I've been trying to decide between the Kia Niro and Hyundai Ioniq. I like the amount of room for the 2nd passengers the Niro has. It seems like a great choice if I have kids one day and need to put in/remove car seats. However, the Ioniq is an IIHS Top Safety Pick for both 2017 & 2018. Additionally, Hyundai offers a lifetime warranty for the battery, which is one of the biggest longterm concerns for hybrid owners.

Show the backup camera & show the headlights / fog lights at night.

Rear end is definitely a VW Golf impersonator.

Alex, I'm very interested in the Niro EX....we were considering a Prius V, but the Niro has more traditional styling and better fuel economy...thanks so much for your in-depth reviews...there are many "Auto Reviewers" out there, but I always come back to your channel.

As long as it is tall enough, has body cladding & a liftback design. Yes it is a Crossover between an SUV and a hatchback/wagon along with a hybrid powertrain. AWD be damned; I lost count of how many so-called SUV that are sold with FWD on the streets.

Thanks for the 5 second comment on manual mode. Was that really so hard?

RWD is still a truck or SUV, because RWD is load-bearing, like a pickup truck with only RWD. The payload in the pickup bed puts weight right on the rear wheels, so you don't need to send power to the front wheels. FWD RAV4? I call that a crossover, but at that point it's all intangible differences--styling, ride height, etc.

Your question asking if a 2wd crossover or SUV is no longer a crossover or SUV is a good one.

I liked it when I first saw it, but I live in New England. I need either 4x4 or AWD for my jobs (Uber, UberEats, DoorDash, Postmates, etc). So for mpgs I may wind up getting rid of the Rav4 V6 Limited I have (142,000 miles) and opting for a Nissan Rogue.

The smallest SUV in America was Suzuki SX4 AWD which is no longer available..

I'm very interested in this and the Hyundai Ioniq, but I'm concerned with reliability. There are some complaints online about reliability issues, mostly stuff relating to electric and hybrid components it seems. When hybrid components fail it's insanely expensive to fix. I don't want a headache for a vehicle and the repair costs could end up outweighing the fuel savings. Another aspect that bothers me about hybrids is that the gas engine is never given the opportunity to warm up before being driven, especially an issue in harder acceleration and colder weather. That cannot be good for the engine in the long run. I always let my regular gas cars warm up a few minutes before I go. Can't do that in a hybrid.

I find myself coming back to the Niro again and again as a viable alternative to many vehicles. I don't consider it a CUV, it's a small hatchback wagon like the old Chevy HHR and the Chrysler PT Cruiser; but people seem to be afraid of the term wagon these days. The only concern I have about the Niro is the transmission. I've not seen any good long term reliability reports for DCTs. Goodness knows Ford's DCT is an absolute flop and there are tons of complaints about the DCT in the Tuscon, which the Niro uses a variant of. People may scoff at the Prius, but that reduction gear CVT is reliable as all get out. I just wish Kia's had better insurance rates. I can insure just about anything at it's lowest rates but Kia's are usually amongst the highest cost to insure- the estimate on the Niro is nearly $50/month higher than a Honda CRV.

if kia soul is a crossover. it is a crossover

Waiting for your Bolt review

I would buy a small spare tire and stick it in the back for sure. Otherwise, looks like a great vehicle.