2020 Kia Niro PHEV EX Premium Review
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by Mark Fulmer
The Auto Channel
You might be tempted to think that the Kia Niro is simply an urban commuter car, easy to park, easy to handle, but there's much more going on with this hatchback.
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The 2020 PHEV Niro EX Premium has three personalities. The P stands for its plug-in electric engine with a 26 mile range - great for those gotta-go-to-the-store-for-milk runs that happen without fail. It's quiet (although some subtle sci-fi transporter sounds help let pedestrians know you're moving, and a mild beeping sound does the same thing when you are backing up). There is a special cable for overnight recharging. The H stands for the hybrid mode which combines the electric motor with a 1.6-liter inline-4 gas engine and both push power through a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
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The cabin feels bigger than it looks from the outside. Its updated dash has digital instrument cluster and a 10.3-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth keep you linked to the cyber universe through numerous USB ports.
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The EX Premium has adaptive cruise control - the cure for right leg cramps in slow-and-go freeway traffic as its radar adjusts your speed to the car ahead. The cabin materials are durable and the hard plastics have pleasent matte finish. The crossover shape allows for good space inside.
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The 37.4 inch rear-seat legroom is welcome news for passengers, and fold down the rear seat for a tasty 54.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The EX features heated and ventilated front seats, driver’s memory seats, heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and adjustable mood lighting with six different colors. A 10-way power driver’s seat is very comfortable.
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But don't think the Niro is just an urban commuter. According to Niro owner Cynthia Cooper of Elk Grove, California, who took a long distance journey in hers: "It was great in the mountains, climbed them with no problem."
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