I'm interested in the 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid. Unlike their other models, this one doesn't have a CVT but a dual-clutch automatic. Any thoughts on this model?
Get a Prius even though it is $4K more than the Niro. My father's 2015 Prius has 113K miles on it and runs like a clock. We've had it since new.
When it comes to hybrid definitely Toyota over any other brand; they've been making hybrid for a very long time and they've perfected it. Also, Kia and Hyundai products do not have a good track record when it comes to quality (a lot of examples on this forum too). The Corolla Cross is going to have a hybrid version this year. If you want something bigger there's the Rav4.
Avoid Hyundai Motor Group products like the plague. They can’t even get their ICE cars right, so why would going with their hybrids (which adds complexity over regular ICE) be any better?
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If you want a hybrid, go only with Toyota.
I have a Kia Niro hybrid, here's my non-biased opinion on the car.
(2020, SUV variant, 1.56kWh battery pack, Kappa GDi engine (G4LE) with a combined output of 139 horsepower, 97k miles)
So first of all, the good things about the car:
- It gets incredible gas milage (rarely ever drops bellow 50mpg), especially on the highway. genuinely shockingly good.
- The interior space is good for a car of this size, the rear seats can actually comfortably accommodate grown adults.
- Self lane centering is a life changer, you'll never want to drive a car without it.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT, It returns good millage and is smooth IF you mainly use the EV motor and not the engine to drive (up to just 40 horsepower on the HEV, and up to 80 horses on the PHEV) BUT, As soon as you press the gas more then that, instead of the petrol engine working as a generator, it connects to the wheels through the dual clutch and it is not very refined! for cursing in 6th gear or occasionally giving you a bit of boost it's quite alright.
Also, a thing that I genuinely dislike about the car, with my other cars being sporty crossovers, is that it feels pretty numb. The steering is very light, very safe and secure - BUT the car responds in a smooth and boring fashion.
As a result of these,
- The car kind of feels enthralling and extra ordinarily boring to drive.
Another issue related to the ultra efficient powertrain is the lack of any towing ability - Hyundai Kia do not allow this car to be used for towing, the DCT is just not fit for that use case. As with most GDi and complex KIAs the elephant in the room is reliability, and here I must say that is not great.
I've had issues with suspension, steering (worm gear replacement was carried out under recall), a defective clutch, and some other minor issues here and there (resolved by intake valve cleaning) and oh boy the engine on it is loud and rattily, the Kappa really does not like GDi.
- Reliability in my case has been bellow average.
OVERALL, for almost 27 grand? not recommended! - for that kind of money, just add 3 grad more and get a RAV4 Hybrid, or maybe just an absolutely loaded Corolla Cross.
Hyundai just started with the DCT and so far they are not holding up. I was at the dealer the other day and they had stacks of them that came out of brand new cars. I would stay away from any Hyundai/Kia DCT hybrid of not. Hyundai makes a pretty good and I emphasize "pretty good" conventional 8 speed automatic. It will hold up if you change the ATF at half the recommended interval and don't drive like a maniac. Just in general HMC/KMC has not perfected their version of a hybrid. They are rushing them out the door to get meet the CAFE requirements for the overall fleet mileage average.
Although Hyundai-Kia is new into dual wet clutches, especially for large cars - Hyundai has been in the dual DRY clutch market for a while.
The DCT-Hybrid powertrain in the Niro has been around since 2016 (that's 7 years), on the US market since 2015, and on the European market they've been making dual clutches since 2011.
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I've test drove the DCT that comes with the turbocharged Stonic and it felt 'confused' (like an early 2010s DCT) you can see that in the video, it's hunting for gears, shifting slowly, just not great
It's so bad that even reviews note it.(videos are time stamped)
https://youtu.be/NUgbGNfJXA4?t=273
https://youtu.be/4GdjUXIFr04?t=149
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Way worse than the 6 speed conventional automatic in my Stonic,
worse than the reasonably smooth VW DSG and Renualt EDC6.
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So the Hyundai-Kia dual clutch is definitely not recommended.
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In contrast, the Niro's DCT is quite alright, (outside of sports mode in moderate driving) mine, at 96k miles is showing signs of wear and it's just subpar as far as automatic transmisions go. WAY WORSE than an eCVT
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Overall? they're on the weak side, I would not recommend owning one outside of warranty.
I’d have to double check if this is the same for the Niro. But if I remember the Kia and Hyundai hybrid, they build them significantly different from a Toyota hybrid.
Kia/Hyundai have a BELT driven system to start the car. It’s like your alternator was starting the car. Which seems crazy, because starting the engine is taxing on the vehicle.
Toyota doesn’t have a starter or alternator. The function is replaced by two electric motors GEARED with the engine and transmission. And Toyota’s hybrid CVT is not really a CVT, they just call it one for simplicity sake. It’s more like an automatic than it is a CVT.
I’m very skeptical of DCT. They seem to be decent on performance, but I’m hesitant and their reliability.
If you want a hybrid, get a Toyota.
Don't do it
