Kia Niro
11 model years from 2017 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2017–2027
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Station Wagons
- Latest engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl
- Best MPG
- 50–53 combined, by year
- EV range
- up to 253 mi
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2022)
- Recalls
- 12 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2019 (101)
- Fewest problems
- 2021
- Interest
- 9,407 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 Niro in brief
The 2026 Kia Niro is a small SUV 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), 75% better than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $700 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.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
The Kia Niro has 11 model years in our data, from 2017 to 2027, classed as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Station Wagons.
Its most efficient year was 2026 at 53 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 50 to 53 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (135), power train (133), unknown or other (119).
Buying used? 2021 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2017 is the year to avoid.
2017 has the most recalls (5); all years together count 12 campaigns and 531 owner complaints.
How the 2017 Niro compares
The 2017 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 172 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,166 lb.
About the Kia Niro
The Kia Niro is a subcompact crossover SUV (B-segment) manufactured by Kia since 2016. It is an electrification-focused vehicle, offering three versions: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric variants.
From the Wikipedia article "Kia Niro", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 Niro pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 53 MPG combined — 75% better than the average 2026 small SUV (30.2 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 AWD or 4WDTwo-wheel drive only, unusual for a small SUV.
Best and worst years to buy used
2021 Niro
12 owner complaints · 2 recalls · 1 crash report
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2017 Niro
101 owner complaints · 5 recalls · 6 fire reports · 4 crash reports
Most reported: Engine
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 8 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Niro changes by model year
- 2025
- New plug-in hybrid version
- 2024
- No plug-in hybrid version any more
- 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
- 2019
- New all-electric version
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
- 2018
- New plug-in hybrid version
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 11 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 50 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 53 MPG | 174 in | 3,717 lb | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 53 MPG | 174 in | 3,717 lb | Not rated | 1 | 20 |
| 2024 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 53 MPG | 174 in | 3,717 lb | Not rated | 2 | 19 |
| 2023 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 53 MPG | 174 in | 3,717 lb | Not rated | 4 | 65 |
| 2022 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 50 MPG | 171.7 in | 3,166 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 75 |
| 2021 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 50 MPG | 171.7 in | 3,166 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 12 |
| 2020 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 50 MPG | 171.7 in | 3,166 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 63 |
| 2019 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 50 MPG | 171.7 in | 3,166 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 101 |
| 2018 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 50 MPG | 171.7 in | 3,166 lb | Not rated | 3 | 73 |
| 2017 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 50 MPG | 171.7 in | 3,166 lb | Not rated | 5 | 101 |
Alternatives to the 2026 Niro
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 43 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Ford Bronco | 20 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson | 38 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 Subaru Forester | 35 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 42 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →




