2027 Kia Niro Hybrid: 139 hp, 50 mpg Combined, From $29,890

The Kia Niro is a Korean-built five-seat compact crossover, and for the 2027 model year it is sold in the United States as a hybrid only. The powertrain is a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 32 kW electric motor, a roughly 1.3 kWh battery and a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, driving the front wheels. System output is 139 hp and 195 lb-ft (about 264 Nm). It is a conventional full hybrid (HEV), not a plug-in: the battery is charged by the engine and by braking, and there is no charging port. The EPA rates the 2027 model at 53 mpg city, 46 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined, on both the 16-inch and 18-inch wheels. Kia America lists five trims from $29,890 (LX) to $38,990 (SX Touring), before a $1,495 destination fee. The refreshed car has new vertical LED daytime lights, a redesigned tailgate and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and the same facelift is on sale in South Korea, its home market, and in Israel through the importer Telcar.

Performance & Specs

The hybrid system combines a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 32 kW (about 43 hp) electric motor integrated into the six-speed dual-clutch automatic. Kia America's specification page for the 2027 Niro gives 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of combined output. Kia Korea's launch release for the "The New Niro" quotes 141 PS and 27.0 kgf-m, and because PS is the metric horsepower, 141 PS is about 139 hp (141 x 0.9863) and 27.0 kgf-m is about 265 Nm, so the two markets agree. Israeli listings (auto.co.il and Cartube) show 138 hp, and Cartube 27 kgf-m, a rounding of the same figure. The car is front-wheel drive in every market covered here, and there is no all-wheel-drive option.

Performance is modest by design. Israeli listings on Cartube and auto.co.il give 0-100 km/h in 11.3 seconds and a 170 km/h top speed (probably importer data); we found no independent test, and Kia America does not publish an acceleration figure. Efficiency is the selling point, and the numbers depend on the test cycle. The EPA record for the 2027 model (fueleconomy.gov, last modified 29 September 2026) lists 53 mpg city, 46 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined, about 4.7 L/100 km, and 178 g/mile of CO2. Kia Korea claims up to 20.2 km/L combined on 16-inch wheels under the Korean ministry's registration test, and Cartube lists 19.6 to 21.7 km/L for the Israeli car (auto.co.il: 21.7 km/L, manufacturer combined). Kia America's page gives a total driving range of 555 miles (about 893 km) on an 11.1-gallon (42 L) tank. These figures come from different test procedures and should not be read across markets.

Powertrain	1.6 L petrol full hybrid (HEV, not plug-in), FWD
Power	139 hp system output (Korea: 141 PS)
Torque	195 lb-ft (about 264 Nm)
Electric motor	32 kW (about 43 hp)
Battery	1.32 kWh
Fuel economy	50 mpg EPA combined (US)

POWERTRAIN TYPE	1.6 L petrol full hybrid (HEV, not plug-in), six-speed dual-clutch automatic
HORSEPOWER	139 hp system output (141 PS, about 139 hp, in Korea)
TORQUE	195 lb-ft (about 264 Nm); 27.0 kgf-m in Korea
ACCELERATION	0-100 km/h in 11.3 s (Israeli listings Cartube and auto.co.il; no independent test)
TOP SPEED	170 km/h (same Israeli listings)
DRIVETRAIN	Front-wheel drive
BATTERY	1.32 kWh, not plug-in
FUEL ECONOMY	53 / 46 / 50 mpg EPA city / highway / combined (US, 2027); up to 20.2 km/L Korea; 19.6-21.7 km/L Israel
TOTAL RANGE	555 miles (about 893 km), 11.1-gallon tank (Kia America)

Dimensions & Practicality

Length	4,420 mm (174.0 in)
Width	1,826 mm (71.9 in)
Height	1,544 mm (60.8 in)
Wheelbase	2,720 mm (107.1 in)
Ground clearance	160 mm (6.3 in)

The Niro is a compact crossover, 4,420 mm long and 1,826 mm wide on a 2,720 mm wheelbase, with five seats. All dimensions here are Kia America's 2027 figures converted from inches. Cargo space is 21.9 cubic feet (about 620 litres) behind the rear seats and 61.4 cubic feet (about 1,739 litres) with them folded, and the total interior volume is 105.1 cubic feet. Kerb weight is between 3,208 and 3,362 lb (about 1,455 to 1,525 kg), depending on the trim and wheels. Standard tyres are 205/60R16, and 225/45R18 is optional. Israeli listings give a 404-litre boot (auto.co.il; Cartube says 425 litres), measured by a different method from Kia America's cubic-feet figure, so we do not compare the two directly.

LENGTH	4,420 mm (174.0 in)
WIDTH	1,826 mm (71.9 in)
HEIGHT	1,544 mm (60.8 in)
WHEELBASE	2,720 mm (107.1 in)
CARGO VOLUME	21.9 cu ft (about 620 L) seats up / 61.4 cu ft (about 1,739 L) seats folded (US)
SEATS	5
KERB WEIGHT	3,208-3,362 lb (about 1,455-1,525 kg)
FUEL TANK	11.1 gal (about 42 L)
TYRES	205/60R16 standard; 225/45R18 optional

Charging & Battery

There is nothing to plug in. The Niro Hybrid carries a small 1.32 kWh traction battery, according to Kia America, and the 32 kW motor assists the engine, drives the car at low load and recovers energy under braking. The EPA lists it as a conventional hybrid with no electric range. That is a change in the Niro family: Kia America's 2027 line-up is hybrid only, and Kelley Blue Book reports that the all-electric Niro EV and the Niro Plug-in Hybrid are not part of the 2027 US line-up, with the EV3 taking the electric role; Kia America's site still shows limited remaining 2026 Niro EV stock. Kia UK's pricing page still lists a Niro Plug-in Hybrid, but the Kia Korea launch release, the Israeli importer's release and Kia America's 2027 range all cover only the 1.6-litre hybrid, so this article covers the full hybrid.

BATTERY	1.32 kWh (Kia America), self-charging
AC CHARGING	Not applicable (no plug)
DC FAST CHARGING	Not applicable (no plug)
REGENERATION	32 kW motor recovers braking energy; smart regenerative braking in Korea
ELECTRIC RANGE	None stated; 0 miles in the EPA record

Design & Interior

The facelift keeps the Niro's boxy crossover shape but sharpens the details. Kelley Blue Book describes new vertical daytime running lights, a more upright nose and new lines in the bonnet, and Kia America's pricing release names a "Star Map" LED lighting signature. The two-tone Aero Blade C-pillar is now body colour only, and the tailgate has been redesigned with the number plate moved down into the bumper, plus three-dimensional taillights with multi-level LED strips. Kia America also lists new paint colours and a retuned suspension for more comfort and less noise. The photos in this article are official Kia Korea press images of the Korean-specification car.

Inside, the 2027 car runs Kia's ccNC platform on a 12.3-inch touchscreen, paired with a 12.3-inch digital cluster in Korea and on the US SX Touring, with wireless phone projection and touch-capacitive climate and media controls below the main display. In the US, the base LX has 16-inch wheels, LED daytime lights, cloth seats, a 4-inch instrument display and the 12.3-inch touchscreen. The new S trim adds rain-sensing wipers, a cloth and leather blend and heated front seats with a power driver's seat, the EX adds paddle shifters and front and rear parking sensors, and the SX adds LED headlights, a moonroof, a power liftgate, synthetic leather, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and digital key. The SX Touring adds 18-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch digital cluster and the driver-assistance package. In Israel, Telcar's EX has a 12.3-inch Hebrew-language touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, split climate control and vegan leather, and the Premium adds 18-inch wheels, a power driver's seat, ambient lighting and a glossy black grille trim.

Technology & Features

Connectivity is the biggest upgrade in the facelift. The new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit system supports over-the-air updates, and Kia Korea says the Korean car adds the Kia Connect Store and the Kia AI assistant. The 12.3-inch touchscreen replaces the earlier 8-inch and 10.25-inch units in the US and is standard on every trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SX adds digital key capability and the Harman Kardon audio system, whose badge is visible in Kia Korea's interior photos. Hybrid-specific software includes the smart regenerative braking, predictive control and Stay Mode that Kia Korea lists for the home market. Specifications vary by market, so check the local equipment list before buying.

Safety & ADAS

Kia America's pricing release for the 2026 Niro listed Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind-Spot Collision Warning as standard, and we found no sign that they were dropped for 2027. The 2027 update adds cyclist detection, and the top SX Touring gets Highway Driving Assist 2, emergency steering assist, a 360-degree surround view monitor and a blind-spot view monitor. In Korea, Kia lists ten airbags, steering-wheel grip detection and a more advanced ADAS package, and the Israeli EX is listed with eight airbags, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor. We did not find a crash-test rating for the facelifted car, and Kia does not state an SAE automation level; the systems need a supervising driver.

ADAS LEVEL	Driver-supervised assistance (no SAE level stated by Kia)
ADAS FEATURES	Forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, blind-spot collision warning, cyclist detection; SX Touring adds Highway Driving Assist 2, emergency steering assist, 360-degree camera, blind-spot view monitor

Available Versions

VERSION	POWER	TORQUE	DRIVETRAIN	BATTERY	PRICE	KEY DIFFERENCES
Niro LX	139 hp	264 Nm	FWD	1.32 kWh	$29,890	US entry trim; 16-inch wheels, cloth seats, 12.3-inch touchscreen; $1,495 destination on every trim
Niro S	139 hp	264 Nm	FWD	1.32 kWh	$30,590	New trim: rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, power driver's seat
Niro EX	139 hp	264 Nm	FWD	1.32 kWh	$31,390	Paddle shifters, front and rear parking sensors
Niro SX	139 hp	264 Nm	FWD	1.32 kWh	$35,440	LED headlights, moonroof, power liftgate, ventilated seats, Harman Kardon audio, digital key
Niro SX Touring	139 hp	264 Nm	FWD	1.32 kWh	$38,990	18-inch wheels, Highway Driving Assist 2, 360-degree camera, digital cluster

Pricing & Availability

All prices are manufacturer or importer list prices as published up to late October 2026. In the United States, Kia America's 2027 Niro pricing, reported by AutoGuide on 27 August 2026 and by Cars.com on 28 August 2026, is $29,890 for the LX, $30,590 for the S, $31,390 for the EX, $35,440 for the SX and $38,990 for the SX Touring, plus a $1,495 destination fee, which brings the LX to $31,385 and the SX Touring to $40,485. The outgoing 2026 model year was priced from $27,090 (LX) to $35,490 (SX Touring) plus $1,445 destination, and was Kia-estimated at 53 mpg combined on the LX, EX and SX, so the 2027 entry price is $2,800 above that launch price (KBB, 1 September 2026, puts the increase at $2,500) and the EPA combined figure is 50 mpg on every trim. The 2027 model is now reaching US dealers (October 2026), although we found no official Kia on-sale date.

In South Korea, the home market, Kia opened contracts for "The New Niro" on 10 March 2026. Kia Korea's price list dated 1 October 2026 shows the hybrid at KRW 29,270,000 for the Trendy, KRW 32,420,000 for the Prestige and KRW 35,150,000 for the Signature, after the eco-friendly car tax benefit, which is about $21,863 to $26,255 at 1,338.78 won to the dollar; the March launch prices were KRW 28,850,000 to 34,640,000. In Israel, Telcar launched the facelifted 2026 Niro Hybrid in August 2026 in two grades, the EX at NIS 176,900 and the Premium at NIS 179,900, which is about $58,034 and $59,018 at 3.0482 shekels to the dollar. A launch discount, to NIS 169,900 and NIS 174,900, applied only until 11 September 2026 and has ended. Exchange rates are European Central Bank reference rates published by Frankfurter on 6 October 2026.

How It Compares

The closest rival we have covered is the Toyota Yaris Cross, which is a size smaller than the 4,420 mm Niro but is also a front-wheel-drive full hybrid. The comparison mixes markets and test cycles: the Yaris Cross numbers are British WLTP and on-the-road prices for the Hybrid 130, and in Israel the Yaris Cross is listed at NIS 158,990 to 159,990 for the 2026 model year with a 116 hp system, about NIS 17,000 to 21,000 below the Niro. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is a larger and pricier contrast, not a cross-shop: at $41,500 it costs about $11,600 more than the Niro's LX and offers 54 miles of electric range, which the Niro cannot do, because its battery is only 1.32 kWh. In exchange, the Niro offers a 50 mpg EPA rating without a charger and a starting price under $30,000.