2024 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Charging Costs And Range Explained

The Kia Niro PHEV is one of the most affordable plug-in hybrid crossovers you can buy today, with prices starting at $34,390. The flip side of this low price is an underperforming powertrain and a compact battery offering a limited electric range. If you are in the market for a cost-effective plug-in hybrid crossover for urban or extra-urban use, the Niro PHEV is an ideal option to consider.

The Niro’s PHEV’s small battery pack enjoys low charging costs and relatively faster charging speeds, but you can expect it to be a struggle to live with if you frequent long-distance journeys. It’s a compact crossover specifically designed to make short commutes in dense cities more of a relaxed and efficient experience with the benefit of an efficient ICE that can carry you to the outskirts of your city.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, Edmunds, Car and Driver, the NHTSA, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

The Kia Niro PHEV Features An 11.1 kWh Battery

Kia offers the Niro as a fully electric car, featuring a 64.8 kWh battery sourced from CATL and a single electric motor driving the front wheels with 201 horsepower.

The PHEV takes a more traditional approach with its naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a single parallel electric motor, working together to produce a combined 180 horsepower. The electric motor sources power from a compact 11.1 kWh battery, producing 83 horsepower when operating independently.

Performance Specifications

(Data sourced from Kia and the EPA)

The ICE produces 104 horsepower and drives the front wheels using a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Performance-wise, the model obviously doesn’t fare very well. Kia claims its PHEV sprints from 0-60 MPH in 7.3 seconds, but real-world tests suggest you’ll have to wait up to 8.2 seconds to get up to this speed from a standstill. Kia locks the top speed at 100 MPH.

The Kia Niro PHEV Takes Eight Hours To Charge

The PHEV earns a 113 MPGe combined energy consumption estimate from the EPA, as well as a reasonable 33-mile range claim when the EV system commands full driving function. The smaller 11.1 kWh battery, operating at 360 volts, takes eight hours when using a household plug and three hours via Level Two charging. The system does not accommodate DC fast charging.

Range And Charging Time

(Specifications sourced from Kia)

The EPA estimates you’ll spend around $4,750 on fuel over five years of piloting the Niro PHEV. Real-world consumption tests reveal that the model runs out of battery after 25 miles with an 83 MPGe energy consumption figure when consistently driving at 75 MPH.

The Kia Niro EV’s Battery Costs $4.66 To Recharge

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor And Statistics, the national cost of electricity currently sits at around 17 cents per kWh. St. Louis and Seattle benefit from the lowest energy costs, at roughly 13 cents per kWh. San Diego and San Francisco are where things get a bit costly, where energy can run you you up to 42 cents for every kWh. These rates are slightly lower during off-peak hours, which are typically between 11 PM and 6 AM when most people charge.

Charging Costs

(Pricing sourced from the U.S. Bureau Of Labor And Statistics)

The Kia Niro PHEV’s smaller battery means that you won’t be spending a lot of money to replenish energy, regardless of where you reside. In low-rate states, the 11.1 kWh battery costs just $1.44 to recharge, while more expensive cities will return a higher but still competitive $4.66 fee.

On average, you can expect to be paying $1.88 across the country. The fully electric model costs $8.42 in cheaper regions and $27.22 in cities with the highest energy costs. The national average charging cost of its battery sits at $11.02.

The Kia Niro PHEV Costs $34,390

Kia offers the Niro PHEV in two trims. The base EX costs $34,390, while the flagship SX Touring increases the price to $40,410. This reflects a big price difference, but the specification levels are miles apart.

Kia has equipped the EX trim with some impressive comfort features, including a pair of 10-way electrically adjustable and heated front seats with SynTex and cloth upholstery. It also features ambient lighting, a six-speaker audio system for the 4.3-inch touchscreen, and a wireless smartphone charger.

Kia makes the SX Touring a more comprehensive setting by adding ventilation and full perforated SynTex upholstery to the front seats. You also get a seven-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, LED interior lighting, alloy interior trimmings and pedals, and an electronically controllable sunroof.

Kia’s Household Wallbox Costs $799

The Niro PHEV ships standard with a 120-volt charging cable for household plugs, but it does not offer a Level Two-rated cable. You’ll have to buy this from a third-party supplier for about $200. There’s a broad catalog of household wallboxes that Kia provides via reputable third-party suppliers.

These boxes range from under 8 kW to 11.5 kW, with prices starting at $799. You also need to consider the installation cost, which varies between $800 and $2,000, depending on your location.

If you’re looking to make full use of the Niro PHEV’s electrical system, we recommend that you invest in a Level Two household wallbox charger, as this drastically reduces the battery’s charging times. The Niro EV’s electrical system benefits from a convenient vehicle-to-load system.

You can use 80 percent of the battery’s charge to power small appliances at 120 volts, making it a handy portable workstation or camper. Unfortunately, this isn’t available for the PHEV, because of its limited battery capacity and power output.

Kia Covers The Niro PHEV’s Battery For 10 Years

Kia covers all Niro PHEV battery and powertrain-related problems via its comprehensive 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty. The carmaker assures that its battery technology won’t degrade by more than 30 percent during this time. If it does, it will install a new battery at its own cost.

Kia is fairly new to the electric car sphere, so we can’t say how reputable its battery technology is over a long period. Kia recalled previous-generation Niro PHEVs for a leaking transmission fluid that could result in a fire, but this has no bearing on the electrical system’s dependability.

Kia Sorento Hybrid Specs

(Data sourced from Kia)

Kia doesn’t disclose parts pricing, so we also can’t tell you how much a replacement battery outside of warranty costs. The brand suggests that, depending on how severe the wear is, a battery replacement for any of its PHEVs will cost between $2,000 and $8,000, including labor.