The 2020 Kia Niro PHEV EX Premium Compact SUV
You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: As car sales keep going down, and SUV, crossovers and truck sales keep going up, the car companies know that they have to reinvent the wheel about every 5 years. This time around they are placing all their bets on the SUV market, and it’s been a sure thing for a while now. Today every manufacturer has several SUV’S for sale in every segment. And the compact size is becoming the biggest class in sales volume.
Not to be left out, Kia has added a new entry in the compact SUV class called the Niro.
This new, updated 2020 Kia Niro gives modern hybrid technology a sleek new look, bringing the efficiency of a plug-in hybrid, in a fun to drive compact SUV.
This week Kia sent me a new 2020 Kia Niro PHEV EX Premium Compact SUV to test drive and review. And what does PHEV mean? It stands for: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. PHEV’S typically use lithium ion batteries to power an on-board electric motor, and use another fuel, such as gasoline, to power an ICE internal combustion engine.
PHEV batteries can be charged using a home wall outlet, either 110 volts or 220 volts, at a 440 volt fast charging station, by running the gas engine, or through regenerative braking. This gives the car 4 ways of getting power to the wheels. This is the drivetrain of the future, available today, in a few cars so far.
Not a gas only car, nor a battery only electric car, the PHEV has the best of both worlds all in one vehicle. Plug the car in and charge the battery, and you can drive it in electric mode for 26 miles. That’s just over what most people drive on an average of 25 miles per day.
And if you forget to charge the car, or need to keep on truckin’, no problem, the gas engine starts right up and powers the car for an additional 500+ miles on gasoline. With a PHEV car, range anxiety drops to ZERO.
Plus the Kia Niro gets exceptional fuel economy ratings. Better than many of its hybrid competitors. The base Niro hybrid gets 52 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway. And the LXS and EX Premium models get 51 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway. The Greenhouse Gas Rating is a 10, out of 10. And the smog Rating is a 7, out of 10. These are the best fuel economy and emission ratings of any hybrid car for sale in America.
And what does it cost to buy one of the cleanest Hybrid PHEV vehicles on the market today? It is surprisingly affordable. The base price of a 2020 Kia Niro starts at only $24,590. And there are several trim levels and option packages to choose from.
My test car is a top of the line EX model with the Premium Package, and starts with a MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $36,390. The options on the test car are: The cargo mat for $95, carpeted floor mats for $135 and a cargo net for $50. The total price, including the $1,120 destination charge, came to: $37,790 all in.
This is a compact SUV that has the interior room, and cargo space, that most people want. The engine is a 1.6L 4-cylinder, with a 60 HP electric motor, powered by a 8.9 kwh Lithium Ion Polymer battery. The transmission is a quick shift DCT 6 speed automatic with Sport Mode and steering wheel paddle shifters, with an ISG idle stop and go system. The AER All Electric Range is 26 miles per full charge, and the projected annual fuel costs for gasoline is only $750 for a full year’s worth of driving.
Kia has packaged this PHEV Premium Edition SUV with the most wanted options, like: Power Sunroof, Leather Interior, LED headlamps, 10.25” touchscreen with Navigation, Harman / Kardon Premium Audio sound system, a heated steering wheel, plus heated, cooled and ventilated front seats. These are in addition to the Kia Driverwise Driver Assist Technology group and Safety Systems options that are included in the EX Package.
To sum it up nicely, this is a fully loaded compact SUV, with every safety and technology option, with an engine that gets up to 52 MPG, plus 26 miles of battery power, starting at only $24,590. This is the drivetrain of tomorrow, for sale today, all wrapped up in a super fuel efficient SUV, with style, comfort, and good looks. So, if you’re looking for a great compact SUV, the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV should be at the very top of your test drive, and buyers list.
A word to the wise is sufficient. Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
This Bottom Line Review is provided by: Tony Leopardo © Autowire.net.
“Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net or visit Autowire.net at www.autowire.net