Featured 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid Starts Just under $28,000

I prefer to discuss the vehicles that have been in my hands because of experience. So I am comfortable discussing 2019 Model 3, 2017 Prius Prime, 2014 BMW i3-REx,, 2010 Prius, 2003 Prius, and some former ICE vehicles. So what triggered me was reading that the Kia came in hybrid, PHEV, and BEV drivetrains.

There are technical difference in parts counts, traction batteries, control laws, and efficiency. I noticed Kia BEV efficiency did not get much coverage so I added details.

As a general rule, I prefer to contribute when my personal experience differs from what others claim.

Bob Wilson

 

Doesn't Tesla have owners forums?

 

Several and I prefer Teslaownersonline.com. The user community is more empirical and less advocacy oriented. They also are moderated by Canadians who have little patience with wandering off into useless political or advocacy. Facts and data are well received.

We tend to be more Tesla technical there. For example, there is no OBD port so we have an active group tapping into various CANbus lines and decoding the traffic.

Bob Wilson

 

Haha True...Trollbait...true. I'm not sure why the discussion *always* turns to BEVs either. Kinda like certain political parties 'flooding the zone' with crap not pertinent to the original discission.

At some point I just give up on these discussions because folks here just really love to 'beat a dead horse'...well past the dead point ( ok..I'm guilty of that sometimes as well...haha ).

And my opinion is unchanged...I'd still buy a Toyota HSD hybrid over any other...at least until these DCT hybrids are WELL proven, and that will take a few more years.

 

Toyota is a good bet for reliability, though the bZ wheel thing isn't their first stumble.
They are just off my list because of seat comfort.

 

Found Kia's press release.
https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/media/pressreleases/19395/the-all-new-2023-kia-niro

Looks like Europe already has the new models, which was the case with the first gens roll out.
2022 Kia Niro PHEV And EV Technical Specifications Released
Couple details I haven't seen mentioned elsewhere.

Kia took the reverse gear out of the transmission to save weight. The car now uses the electric motor for reverse like a power-split system.

The PHEV cabin heater has been updated to PTC, at least for that market. Don't know what that means for minimum temperature before engine turn on, but it sounds like less range loss when electric heat is used.
https://www.pakeptc.com/news/what-is-a-ptc-heater-and-why-do-i-need-it-for-my-car.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-regulating_heater

 

The 2023 NIRO will come with a Personalized Digital Key Option- When you walk up to the car it will recongnize who you are and immediately personalize the settings for your dirving comfort

Here are just a few of the personalized settings:

• User Settings menu
• Head Up Display (HUD) Position adjustment of image, Information display selection
• Lamp Blink number of one-touch signal lamps
• Cluster Information display on the cluster,
• Voice volume, Welcome sound Seat
• Seat position Smart heating wire ventilation
• On/Off Door Automatic door lock/unlock, 2 Press Unlock
• Smart phone wireless charging Wireless charging On/Off
• Air conditioning Setting up temperature unit, Block air inflow/ Automatic ventilation Window defroster On/Off
• Infotainment Settings menu
• Navigation Preferred volume of the navigation system Recent destination User preset My menu list settings,
• Radio preset Phone connectivity Bluetooth preferential connection CarPlay/Android Auto/MirrorLink On/Off
• Air conditioning Operating condition Latest operation setup of the following functions: Temperature (AUTO), air flow direction, air volume, air conditioner, air intake control, SYNC, Front windshield defroster, OFF

List was a little difficult to format.