The Kia Niro is one of the most efficient and well-equipped compact crossover SUVs in production today. It’s set to be available in hybrid and fully electric vehicle forms only, as there won’t be a gasoline-only version available for the 2024 model year. Here, we review everything we know about the robust 2024 Kia Niro.
Kia Niro Engine Core Options and ADA System
The hybrid version of the 2024 Kia Niro uses a 1.6-liter engine and an electric motor to produce 139 horsepower and 106 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in version of the hybrid adds 41 horsepower and an all-electric driving range of 33 miles. That represents a range increase of 25% over the 2023 plug-in hybrid Niro. The electric core of the full EV Niro for the 2024 model year contains a 64.8kWh battery and an electric motor, together generating 201 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque. All three versions of the Niro are front-wheel drive only.
The 2024 Kia Niro has an advanced driver assistance (ADA) system — a system that comes with features designed to maximize safety during standard driving and driving in smart cruise mode. The 2024 Niro is capable of semi-autonomous cruising at speeds above 20 mph, thanks to smart cruise control. The ADA system-related safety features include blind-spot collision warning, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, lane-following assistance, forward collision avoidance assist, and a blind-spot view monitoring system.
The Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) System and Charging Details
The plug-in version of the 2024 Kia Niro has an interesting feature that would be very useful if implemented across the market: vehicle-to-load capability. This feature allows the electric vehicle (EV) to charge electrical equipment or other EVs directly from the primary charging port.
The charging capacity of the V2L system is capped at 90% of the battery’s charge, so owners cannot accidentally deplete their battery’s charge when using tools or helping out another EV owner. The charger is 11 kW, so you can charge this Niro in six hours and five minutes on a regular charging unit. A fast-charging unit can do the same work in 43 minutes. A smart regenerative braking system contributes to the core’s charge as you drive the Niro, so the charge holds for longer.
Exterior Styling and Features
The exterior styling of the 2024 Kia Niro has a smooth and futuristic feel. The body lines of this Niro are rounded and soft on all sides, with the only thick body line along the base on either side. This large base body line is available in gray or black.
The available paint colors include Mineral Blue, Fire Orange Metallic, Snow White Pearl, Graphite Gray, Steely Gray, Aurora Black Pearl, Runway Red, Cityscape Green, and Snow White Pearl. The front of the vehicle is compact and futuristic, with zigzagging daytime running lights, potent headlights, and a more compact grille than seen on previous versions. It comes with 17-inch wheels, slimmed-down taillights, exterior rain sensors, and a sunroof.
Interior Styling and Features
Kia has upgraded the inside of the 2024 model to support a more user-friendly 10.25-inch infotainment design. The front end of the cabin features a single wide-screen touch-capable display with an old-school control panel underneath, a gear shifter wheel, and steering wheel controls. The infotainment system comes with the Kia Connect programming suite and smart device mirroring capabilities. Upper trim levels get wireless smart device charging units.
The upholstery is leather and cloth standard, but pure leather upholstery is also available. An interesting point related to the 2024 Niro’s upholstery: It’s all vegan certified, whether in the perforated format or not. The main dashboard features a magnificent ambient light strip along its right center, contributing to the cabin’s relaxed atmosphere. The Harman Kardon premium sound system produces breathtaking high-fidelity sound, and heated and ventilated seats are available. You can set the interior temperature through voice command.
Towing, Payload, Cargo, and Cabin Room Statistics
Like the 2023 version, the 2024 Kia Niro can tow up to 1,653 pounds. It has a maximum payload capacity of 849 pounds, and its cargo area measures 22.8 cubic feet without a seating area. That measurement increases to 63.7 cubic feet with a seating area.
The cabin measurements are the same as the 2023 model year. This means the car has 40.5 inches of front headroom, 39.6 inches of rear headroom, 56.3 inches of front shoulder room, 55.4 inches of rear shoulder room, 53.3 inches of front hip room, 53 inches of rear hip room, 41.5 inches of front legroom, and 39.8 inches of rear legroom.
Trim Levels, Special Tires, and Cold-Climate Options
The 2023 Kia Niro had five trim levels: the LX, EX, EX Touring, SX, and SX Touring. The 2024 version is set to drop one of those trim levels, but there’s no word yet on which trim will go. The top trim level of this SUV will come with innovative high-end tires. They are 17-inch N Priz S Grand-Touring tires made by Nexen Tire America.
These tires feature increased reliability and safety while providing luxury-level ride comfort and reducing energy consumption, so the Niro is an economical vehicle. A heat pump and battery warming unit are available to drivers who live in colder climates.
Non-ADA System Safety Features and Upgrades
This Kia comes with a wide range of safety features that are not directly tied to the advanced driver assistance system. They include remote smart parking assistance, parking collision avoidance, parking distance warning, and driver attention warning systems. The Niro body frame has been reinforced to increase the safety of occupants starting in the 2024 model year. High-strength steel body frame components have increased by 22% from the 2023 version. This alteration has the surprising side effect of making the frame 6% lighter than its predecessor.
Find out more about this next-gen green SUV at Huffines Kia of Corinth. Feel free to check out our extensive inventory while you’re visiting. There’s a great range of vehicles to be found in our digital showroom too, so drivers can check out what we have from the comfort of home.