Kia Niro Generation 1 (2017–2022)

Kia Niro Generation 1 (2017–2022) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Kia Niro — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 1 2017–2022 —
Generation 2 2023–present —

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

About this generation

The first-generation Niro was introduced in 2016. Based on the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq, Kia opted to use dual-clutch transmission instead of the more traditional continuously variable transmission found in most other hybrids to offer a more engaging driving experience. The size is between the Stonic and Sportage, and very close to the XCeed. In Europe, the Niro was launched in a choice of seven colours and either 16- or 18-inch wheels.

It was the first Kia model to feature Android Auto, available from its launch, while Apple CarPlay was made available towards the end of 2016. Seven airbags were included as standard, along with other safety features including autonomous braking, smart cruise control, and lane departure warning. Noise reduction was a key development focus, with Kia achieving a quieter cabin by use of increased front structure insulation and the use of acoustic windshield glass.

Full production started in May 2016 in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, South Korea, with European sales from the third quarter of 2016. A plug-in version was launched in the United Kingdom in the end of 2017, and in the United States in the beginning of 2018, with an electric version launched in 2018. Towards the end of 2018 and start of 2019, sales of the Niro PHEV ranked highly in Denmark and Sweden in a list of top plug-in car sales.

The Niro received a facelift in 2019 which included changes to the front and rear bumpers, as well as new headlights and color choices. Unlike the prototypes, no production version was ever offered with four wheel drive. The 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid was unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show. A subcompact hybrid utility vehicle, the model's exterior design is marketed as "un-hybrid", saying it is more conventional than other hybrid cars.

The Niro uses a hybrid powertrain producing altogether , and returns a fuel economy of by also using lightweight materials, including high strength steel and aluminium. Its traction battery has a capacity of 1.56 kWh which weighs , with Kia claiming that this offers up to 50 per cent increased energy density and 13 per cent more energy efficiency than rivals. From 2017 onwards, the hybrid does not feature a conventional lead-acid starter 12-volt battery; instead, a 12-volt lithium battery is housed adjacent to the traction battery.

This innovation saves weight and maintenance. In its first month on sale, the Niro hit an all time sales record in the green car market in South Korea, even beating the Hyundai Ioniq. A plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) variant has been offered since September 2018, featuring an 8.9 kWh battery. The Kia Niro and Niro Plug in Hybrid form part of Kia hybrid range, that also includes the Optima Plug-in Hybrid and Optima Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid.

The Kia Niro went on sale in South Korea on 31 March 2016. The plug-in has the same dual-clutch transmission as the hybrid variant, an important differentiator from most other hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles which use a continuously variable transmission. The Niro PHEV was the best selling plug-in car in Denmark in December 2018, with 1,113 sales representing a 24% share, ahead of the Nissan Leaf which took a 14% share respectively.

In Sweden during February 2019, the Niro PHEV claimed 2nd position and share of 11%, behind the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV with a 17% share. Although Kia claimed that the variant could obtain a fuel economy of , real-world tests suggested in one test and in another. In 2019, Kia announced facelifted versions of its Niro hybrid variants, with new front and rear bumpers, lights and wheels among the changes to its line-up.

LED headlights and fog lights became an optional extra, while two new colours red-orange and plum were added. Both the hybrid and the plug-in hybrid versions of the Niro feature a gasoline engine.

Source: Wikipedia — Kia Niro — First generation (DE; 2016), CC BY-SA.

Market by model year

Year Units for sale Median price Vs newest Avg mileage
2017 76 $10,225 54% 101,795 mi
2018 62 $12,961 68% 86,382 mi
2019 124 $13,995 73% 81,577 mi
2020 81 $16,696 88% 64,332 mi
2021 8 $18,498 97% 53,055 mi
2022 130 $19,050 100% 51,501 mi

Inventory and price data refreshed daily; last updated .

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2017 4 94 Engine, Power Train, Electrical System
2018 3 68 Power Train, Engine, Electrical System
2020 1 57 Unknown Or Other, Power Train, Electrical System
2022 1 67 Unknown Or Other, Electrical System, Power Train

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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