Hybrid suvs7/26/2023 Should I Buy the 2023 Kia Niro?įew other hybrids – especially SUVs – give you the bang for your buck that the Niro does. There’s also the Kia Niro EV, which is reviewed separately. Its acceleration is merely adequate, and along with so-so cargo space and some quirky interior controls, it lags behind some class rivals. The Niro has respectable passenger space in both rows, a well-trimmed cabin and a user-friendly infotainment system. Its fuel economy is off the charts at more than 50 mpg, and while it isn't overly thrilling to drive, it's not a total bore. It seemed reluctant to shift at times, and it results in a busier driving experience than the smooth swell of power that other electrified vehicles have popularized. The Niro's six-speed automatic transmission left me wanting though. I was able to get close to its EPA-estimated fuel economy as well, which is a best-in-class 53/45 mpg city/highway for the SX Touring. Hustling to 60 mph takes about 9 seconds. It's comfortable to drive and reasonably agile, and the Niro’s hybrid system feels zippier than its 139-horsepower rating suggests. The Niro boasts a rather premium cabin at its as-tested price of $35,140, and it features a sleek widescreen infotainment system, ample seating space in the front and rear, and decent cargo room. However, there's a lot to like about this value-packed SUV, as I recently found out after a week of driving a Hybrid SX Touring model. The Kia Niro may not be the first hybrid SUV that comes to mind next to popular models like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid. He strives to demystify the car buying process and believes that there's a perfect vehicle out there for everyone. News Best Cars Zach Doell is an editor for U.S. The best hybrid SUVs 2023 Green 2020 Audi Q5 TFSI e front three-quarter White 2021 BMW X5 front three-quarter Best hybrid SUVs: BMW X5 BMW X5 PHEV xDrive45e Side profile of 2020 Range Rover Evoque in light blue Blue 2020 Ford Kuga PHEV front three-quarter driving Ford Puma hybrid front three quarter static Side shot of white 2019 Mercedes Benz GLE 350de with tinted rear windows Grey 2021 Honda CR-V front three-quarter driving Honda CRV front three quarter static Red 2019 Kia Niro front three-quarter Blue 2020 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid front three-quarter Red 2020 Ford Kuga Plug-in hybrid car charging port Gold 2021 Porsche Cayenne front three-quarter Porsche Macan front three quarter static White 2019 Audi Q7 photographed from the driver side front.Find Best Price See the full Hybrid SUVs rankings » Editor's Take Don’t be fooled by these claims – the only way you’ll get close to achieving these figures is if you charge up regularly and drive everywhere on electric power, which isn’t always feasible.Īnd of course, if you want even more efficiency, why not go for a hybrid estate instead? Manufacturers also often quote outrageous fuel economy figures for their plug-in hybrid vehicles, sometimes more than 200mpg. Most have an electric-only range of around 30 miles, which should be enough for your daily commute. Plug-in hybrid SUVs have much larger battery packs which need to be charged at the mains to get the best fuel economy. The electric motors in both these systems are designed solely to improve the efficiency of the combustion engine and, as such, they can’t travel far on electric power alone. Mild hybrid and self-charging hybrids don’t need to be connected to the mains – they charge their batteries by siphoning power from the petrol engine. If you’re new to hybrid vehicles, here’s a brief overview to help you cut through the jargon. So you should be able to find one to suit your lifestyle. You’re spoiled for choice, too, with manufacturers offering mild-hybrid, self-charging hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs of all shapes and sizes. Pick the right hybrid SUV and it can be no more expensive to run than a conventional hatchback or estate – and you get all the desirable SUV traits like a tall driving position, lots of ground clearance and fashionable styling. Bear in mind that figure assumes you’re using the battery as often as possible, but even once you’ve drained it, it’ll still return upwards of 40mpg which is impressive for the segment. The RAV4 PHEV is arguably the best they’ve made yet, offering an official electric only range of 46 miles and up to 242mpg. Toyota has been making hybrid cars since the 1990s, so this isn’t a bad thing – the firm’s engineers have had chance to get very good at it. The latest Toyota RAV4 and its badge-engineered cousin, the Suzuki Across, are exclusively hybrid.
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