The previous-gen Niro’s appearance was rather anonymous, but you’ll have a harder time losing the new one in a parking lot. 2023 Kia Niro (from left) PHEV, EV and hybrid | photo by Damon Bell Unlike the first-gen Niro offered only in select states, the new one is available nationwide. It has SUV-like features such as a tallish body height and contrasting-color wheel and fascia cladding, but it doesn’t offer all-wheel drive or fortifications for all-terrain capability. In terms of footprint and overall profile, the Niro lands in the gray area between a compact hatchback and a subcompact or compact SUV. Related: 2023 Kia Niro: Three Familiar Flavors, One Spicy New Look Flashier Flanks (Per our ethics policy, pays for its own airfare and lodging when attending manufacturer-sponsored events.) I attended the 2023 Niro’s press preview in Encinitas, Calif., to drive each and see how they stack up. With its redesign for 2023, the Niro sticks with its three-in-one electrified powertrain strategy (hybrid, PHEV and pure EV), but it gets a more distinctive look inside and out, better efficiency, new technology and mildly upsized dimensions. Since then, hybrid and plug-in-hybrid small SUVs have proliferated, as have dedicated-platform all-electric vehicles. The new-car marketplace - especially the mainstream-brand EV segment - have changed quite a bit since the first-generation Kia Niro was introduced for the 2017 model year. Versus the competition: The Niro straddles several vehicle classes as an efficient alternative to a number of compact hatchbacks, subcompact and compact SUVs, and all-electric vehicles. The verdict: The redesigned Kia Niro family gains cargo room, new technology, expressive styling and improved efficiency across the model lineup, making all three Niro versions more attractive choices.
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