Used 2022 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

Although the 2022 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid hasn’t changed for the current model year, the Niro range — which also includes a standard hybrid and an all-electric model — could be going through a period of transition.

The reason behind all this is that an all-new second generation is anticipated for 2023. In the meantime, the 2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid remains a fine little runabout with ultra-low emissions and similarly trivial fuel bills.

The difference between a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid — also known as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV — is that the latter has a bigger battery that can be recharged from an outside source. Plugged in, as it were. This battery allows the vehicle to cover a meaningful distance without the gasoline engine firing up at all. In the Niro PHEV’s case, that distance is 26 miles.

For short commutes and trips around town, drivers can stay in electric mode, recharge the battery at home overnight, and visit gas stations maybe just for a can of soda and a lottery ticket.

Niro PHEV owners may already feel like winners, though, because their choice of ride includes an unbeatable powertrain warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever happens first.

The 2022 Kia Niro Hybrid is reviewed separately, as is the pure electric Kia Niro EV.

For the most part, the 2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid is an enjoyable drive. Not thrill-a-minute by any stretch of the imagination, but composed and comfortable up to the standards of a small, inexpensive car. The tight turning circle is also an asset when maneuvering.

The driving position is somewhat elevated, contributing to decent outward vision that’s also enhanced by standard blind-spot monitoring. Once at EX trim, the Niro PHEV has paddle shifters, so drivers can change gear themselves if they want. Or select how much brake regeneration they’d like, depending on which drive mode is engaged at the time.

Electric motors have an endearing way of delivering plenty of thrust from a standstill. The Niro PHEV’s drivetrain creates 195 lb-ft of torque, enough for a quick getaway as the lights turn green.

A reliance on plastics is only to be expected in a reasonably priced small car from a mainstream manufacturer, so we can’t really gripe about the Niro’s cabin. At least Kia has arranged them all into an agreeable interior design, complemented by comfortable seating and sufficient rear-seat space for a couple of adults.

The EX trim adds an electronic parking brake that frees up space in the center console for some extra stowage. The EX Premium model brings aluminum scuff plates for the doors.

Behind the 60/40 split/folding rear seats, the luggage area measures 19.4 cubic feet. When those seats are folded (sadly, they don’t go completely flat), maximum cargo space is 54.5 cubic feet.

Occupying a vague area between a small SUV and a hatchback, the 2022 Niro PHEV is still arguably easy on the eye in that usual Kia way. However an onlooker chooses to see it, the Niro is certainly practical and comes with a slightly raised ride height compared with conventional cars.

The charge port is illuminated, making it easy to plug in the cable at night or in low-light situations like a parking garage. Premium paint choices are Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, or Runway Red. Mud guards are also optional.

PLUG-IN HYBRID DRIVETRAIN
It would be perfectly acceptable for the Niro to be a useful and keenly priced small car, but the fact that it offers a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with low emissions and brilliant fuel economy makes it even more attractive.

WIRELESS APPLE CARPLAY/ANDROID AUTO
Sure, smartphone integration is expected in virtually any new car, but wireless capability is still being phased in. The top EX Premium trim doesn’t have this feature (a cable is required), but at least those owners have a nice high-resolution 10.25-inch touchscreen as a consolation.

In LXS trim, the 2022 Niro PHEV comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, LED daytime running lights, keyless entry/start, remote start, cloth upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control (with an energy-saving driver-only AC function), leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 120-volt charging cable.

The infotainment system includes an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, and a USB port. Among the standard safety features are forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rear seat alert, and automatic high beams.

The next-up EX trim adds fog lights, heated side mirrors, heated front seats, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, cloth/leather upholstery, wireless charging, paddle shifters for the transmission, cyclist detection, and adaptive cruise control with a stop/go feature.

The extra features in the top EX Premium trim might be more compelling, however, with a powered tilt/slide sunroof, heated/ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, simulated leather seating surfaces, driver’s-side memory settings for seat and side mirror positions, self-dimming rearview mirror, 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a Harman Kardon surround-sound system. However, this upgraded system means using a cable for smartphone integration.

Additional driver aids are Highway Driving Assist, navigation-based smart cruise control (see the Safety Technology section below) and rear parking sensors.

Options that apply across the 2022 Niro PHEV lineup include a protective film for the bumpers, crossbars for the roof rails, cargo area mat, puddle lights, premium paint, and wheel locks.

A 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor running off a lithium-ion polymer battery provide the 2022 Niro PHEV with a combined 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This goes solely to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a method for calculating miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) figures for plug-in hybrids that take into account the distance traveled using battery power only. The 2022 Niro PHEV can achieve 105 MPGe, run for 26 miles in electric mode, and cover a total distance of 560 miles with a full tank and a full battery. When running as a regular hybrid, it averages around 46 mpg.

Recharging the battery from a 240-volt outlet requires about 2.5 hours to complete. When plugged into a domestic outlet, it’s more like nine hours, which is why it’s a good idea to recharge overnight.

1.6-liter inline-4 + AC synchronous permanent magnet electric motor
139 horsepower total system output
195 lb-ft of torque total system output
EPA combined fuel economy: 46 mpg/105 MPGe