2019 Kia Niro Hybrid Owner’s Manual

The 2019 model year was a fortuitous one to get your hands on the Kia Niro Hybrid because it received a mid-life refresh and facelift in this year. Among the upgrades include styling and technology, as well as improvements on its quietness and efficiency.

On the outside, the car received some sharp and handsome changes like new LED daytime running lights that helped give the light signature a nice boost. The rear light clusters were also updated offering a subtle but edgier improvement on the tired-looking previous edition.

Overall, one reason to love this hybrid is that it just looks like a smart and stylish SUV crossover. More OEMs are discovering that you don’t have to go for a polarizing Prius design if you want to go hybrid.

The biggest changes made to the 2019 model were found inside. The entry-level 2 trim still only had the 8-inch infotainment display, but the top-level 3 trim got a brand-new 10.25-inch system sitting right in the middle of the dash for easy reach and a real digital aesthetic boost. You can use the smart and intuitive onboard system, or seamlessly connect your Apple CarPlay or Android Auto device.

The craftsmanship of the cockpit and interior is undeniable, though all trims do still feature a few areas of cheap plastic, which takes away a little bit. Having said that, when you experience the 8-speaker JBL audio, supportive leather seats with heating and ventilation, and find assistance from the wireless phone charger, you can start to forget about scratchy plastic.

Under the hood, you’ll find a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine outputting up to 139-hp. It’s not a high-performance model, but you can get up to 54.5 cubic feet of cargo space when you lower the rear seats, which is among the most generous around for a crossover SUV. That makes it practical. The hybrid powertrain delivers fuel efficiency of 52-mpg in the city and 49-mpg on the highway.