As in other regions, the refreshed subcompact crossover will only be offered to Americans with a HEV setup, with neither an all-electric version nor a plug-in hybrid available. Sales in the U.S. will begin before the end of this summer.
The Koreans introduced the small Niro crossover in 2016, and it underwent a generational change in the fall of 2021. This model received a facelift this year: its exterior and interior were unveiled at the end of January, with a full presentation on the domestic market in March. In May, the refreshed crossover reached Europe, and now a version intended for the American market has appeared.
The updated Kia Niro for the U.S. is built on the same blueprint as versions for other markets: this applies to the exterior in the brand's new signature style and the interior with different 12.3-inch displays on the dashboard. Additionally, this has affected the model's "innards": the refreshed crossover here will also only be offered with a HEV setup, which, apparently, carries over unchanged from the pre-facelift version.
The company noted that the hybrid system is based on a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (power – 105 hp), working in tandem with a 44-hp electric motor, with a combined output of 141 hp and maximum torque of 264 Nm. The engine is paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, and drive is front-wheel.
The hybrid compact crossover takes 10.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, with a top speed of 175 km/h. The range of the updated Kia Niro intended for the American market likely remains at the previous level, at 946 km (calculated according to the EPA cycle).
It is worth noting that the plug-in hybrid version was already dropped from the U.S. lineup for the pre-facelift Niro, as became known in February 2026. Recall that the combined output of that system was 183 hp (264 Nm), the all-electric range was 53 km, and the range in hybrid mode was 821 km.
Now the all-electric version is also leaving the American Kia Niro lineup. It was equipped with only one 204-hp electric motor (maximum torque – 255 Nm) located on the front axle, along with a traction battery with a capacity of 64.8 kWh, providing a range of 407 km on a single charge. This step can be explained by Kia's decision to "clear the way" for its next-generation electric vehicles.
The company noted that the 2027 model year crossover has had its suspension retuned, cabin noise insulation improved, and the list of driver assistance features revised. It is also known that the model's lineup of LX, EX, and SX trims will be expanded with a new S version. Prices and the exact sales start date will be announced later. It is known that the updated Kia Niro will appear on the American market before the end of summer 2026.
Note that, according to the brand's official U.S. website, the starting price of the pre-facelift Kia Niro Hybrid is $27,390 (equivalent to approximately 2.12 million rubles at the current exchange rate), while the top-tier version costs at least $35,790 (about 2.77 million rubles).
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