DecodedCars2023 Kia Niro
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2023 models.
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- EV, Hybrid, PHEV
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl
- Transmission
- 6-speed automatic, 1-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- EV, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid
- MPG (best)
- 53 combined · 53 city / 54 hwy
- EV range
- 253 mi · 2.8 h on 240 V
- Length
- 174 in
- Curb weight
- 3,217–3,717 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 53 MPG combined — 72% better than the average 2023 small station wagon (30.8 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric as well as gas.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2023 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2023 Kia Niro is a small station wagon offered with a 1.6L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 174 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,717 lb (EV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 53 MPG combined (53 city / 54 highway), 72% better than the 2023 small station wagon average of 30.8 MPG, for an estimated $650 a year in fuel.
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 253 miles and takes about 2.8 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2023
- New body dimensions: 2.3 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Best combined MPG up from 50 to 53
- Longest EV range up from 239 to 253 miles
Compared with 2022; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2022 Niro →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Hwasung, South Korea
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2023 Niro configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV | 174 in | 71.7 in | 61.8 in | 107.1 in | 61.8 / 62.2 in | 3,717 lb | 56/44 |
| Hybrid | 174 in | 71.7 in | 61.8 in | 107.1 in | 61.8 / 62.2 in | 3,217 lb | 60/40 |
| PHEV | 174 in | 71.7 in | 61.8 in | 107.1 in | 61.8 / 62.2 in | 3,466 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niro Electric EV | TBD | Automatic (A1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 253 mi · 29.2513 kWh/100mi | – | $650 | – |
| Niro FE Hybrid | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 53 / 54 / 53 | +72% | $1,250 | 167 |
| Niro Hybrid | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 53 / 45 / 49 | +59% | $1,350 | 181 |
| Niro Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 49 / 47 / 48 | +56% | $1,400 | 71 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2023 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2023 Kia Niro.
Similar 2023 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Niro (this car) | 53 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2023 Honda HR-V | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV | 247 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2023 Kia Soul | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2023 Nissan ARIYA | 304 mi | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Recalls (4)
Seats · Jan 17, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V024000 · 80,255 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles. The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front air bags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment.
- Risk
- Air bags and seat belts that deploy improperly or an air bag deploying unintentionally can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC332.
Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit · Apr 16, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V271000 · 8 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Niro EV and 2024 EV9 vehicles. The differential gear bolts in the gear drive unit may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of drive power or cause the differential to lock up.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power or differential lock up can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the gear drive unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC308.
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Jan 31, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V057000 · 1,243 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Niro EV and 2023 EV6 vehicles. One of the drive shafts may have been improperly heat-treated, allowing it to break under load and resulting in a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the drive shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC295.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Apr 26, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V298000 · 108,936 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2023 Kia Niro is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2023 Kia Niro buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 22 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 10 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 8 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 6,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining battery warranty, and compare the displayed range at 100% charge with the EPA's 253 miles.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2023 Kia Niro. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Niro years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Niro | 50 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Niro | 53 | 174 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 Niro | 53 | 174 in | Not rated | 1 | 20 |
| 2024 Niro | 53 | 174 in | Not rated | 2 | 19 |
| 2022 Niro | 50 | 171.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 75 |
| 2021 Niro | 50 | 171.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 12 |
| 2020 Niro | 50 | 171.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 63 |
| 2019 Niro | 50 | 171.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 101 |
| 2018 Niro | 50 | 171.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 73 |
| 2017 Niro | 50 | 171.7 in | Not rated | 5 | 101 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →