Kia

Niro

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · model years 2017 to 2025

Includes Niro, Niro Plug-in Hybrid and Niro Touring as listed by the EPA.

See all 22 Niro trims All Kia cars

The verdict

Best year: 2020. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 9; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 2023. complaints: 38, about 6.3x this model's typical 6; recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Kia Niro
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2017	2Hybrid	46	$1,350	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 6 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	3Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid	46	$1,350	0	0	1	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 9 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	3Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid	46	$1,350	0	0	1	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 9 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	3Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid	46	$1,350	0	0	1	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 9 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	3Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid	46	$1,350	1	9	1	POWER TRAIN 25%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, ENGINE 17%
complaints: 9, in line with this model's typical 9 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 69 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	3Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid	46	$1,350	1	26	1	SERVICE BRAKES 18%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%
complaints: 26, about 2.9x this model's typical 9 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 27 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	2Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid	48.5	$1,275	2	38	0	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 12%
complaints: 38, about 6.3x this model's typical 6 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 4 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	1Hybrid	49	$1,250	1	7	0	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27%, AIR BAGS 9%, CARRY HANDLE, SHELL, BASE 9%
complaints: 7, about 2.3x this model's typical 3 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 Score: 25 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	2Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid	48.5	$1,275	1	11	0	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 40%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 13%, AIR BAGS 7%
complaints: 11, about 1.8x this model's typical 6 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 45 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2017: 46 to 2025: 48.5

Owner complaints2017: 0 to 2025: 11

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Kia Niro to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.