The RAV4 Hybrid Rival That's Actually In Stock (Kia Niro Hybrid 2023 review)

Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары

The new Kia Niro hybrid is a bit smaller than the Toyota RAV4, but there is actually supply of the car available in Australia now.
Time codes:
0:00 - Introduction
0:56 - Design
1:55 - Interior and tech
4:47 - Back seats
5:56 - Boot
7:00 - Running costs
7:43 - Driving dynamics
12:25 - Verdict
The second-generation Kia Niro hybrid has arrived in Australia with S and GT-Line variants. There is a fully-electric version and a regular petrol-electric hybrid that functions just like its main rival - the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (and the smaller Corolla Cross hybrid which arrives soon).
On test here is the Kia Niro GT-Line Hybrid ($50,030 before on-road costs), but you can get the cheaper S hybrid for $44,380. The package is FWD and bundles a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor.
As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct - so this is an independent, honest review of the Kia Niro.
Subscribe now! kzread.info...
More Kia content: www.chasingcars.com.au/kia/
More Niro content: www.chasingcars.com.au/kia/niro/
Chasing Cars on Facebook: / chasingcarsaustralia
Follow Chasing Cars on Instagram: / chasingcars.com.au
Chasing Cars is Australia's most independent source of new car reviews, car industry news, comparisons and car guides. We give you a critical look at every new car you should consider!

Пікірлер: 92

  • @Chrisohkorea
    @Chrisohkorea Жыл бұрын

    Great review~~ great car. Your channel just got one more subscription.

  • @Geebvs
    @Geebvs Жыл бұрын

    That's not RAV4 rival, you're missing the point guys, larger Kia Sportage Hybrid is. Direct competitor of Niro is upcoming Corolla Cross Hybrid. Compact crossover =/= midsize SUV.

  • @chasingcars

    @chasingcars

    Жыл бұрын

    The Sportage hybrid isn’t sold in Australia and isn’t on the horizon right now. The Niro is almost midsize, so looking realistically at this, it’s fair to call or a RAV4 hybrid rival or alternative - albeit one that’s smaller.

  • @nixnet83
    @nixnet83 Жыл бұрын

    About widescreen android auto - it should be available after you update the head unit by downloaded software to a usb stick. Takes a while to update it. I just did it yesterday for my 2020 Niro (aka the old one) and lit ooks so much better

  • @sonnybocalajr.725
    @sonnybocalajr.725 Жыл бұрын

    Wow at 55.2k driveaway that is already more expensive than a RAV4 Hybrid Cruiser AWD.

  • @bauboni

    @bauboni

    Жыл бұрын

    yep, they are milking the market

  • @Mr.J.Blackberry
    @Mr.J.Blackberry Жыл бұрын

    so the Hybrid GT Line can not get premium sound and sunroof ?

  • @xenonozhid3383
    @xenonozhid3383 Жыл бұрын

    Will all the external gloss back panels end up covered in scratches like the gloss black interior trim on cars?

  • @jeffruebens8355
    @jeffruebens8355 Жыл бұрын

    Is the dual clutch transmission dry or liquid? Does it have port fuel injection to clean the intake valves, along with direct injection for better gas mileage?

  • @bauboni

    @bauboni

    Жыл бұрын

    6 speeds so wet DCT probably

  • @Mexxx65
    @Mexxx65 Жыл бұрын

    1st (Lol!) Nicely done review Thomas! Kia will make a Killing in Australia with these! Even looks Ok! ..I like its look better than any new Cupra.... Its excellent, that KIA still make the effort to sort the suspension and ride, more suiting to our roads in Australia. And it's decision to NOT use a silly CVT gearbox, which simply doesn't suit EV/Hybrid electric motors.

  • @masterod5728
    @masterod57289 ай бұрын

    Have you tryed to put the niro full configuration, into a VW Tiguan or equivalent? Then you have 20.000 more on your bill.

  • @ipxzor
    @ipxzor Жыл бұрын

    I took delivery of mine three weeks ago. its really good, didn't much love the XV that we tested though I have serious Subaru bias with my ownership history and the cx30 handling was unacceptably terrible. I actually get about 4.2 l/100 using the active cruse on the Monash freeway (aka carpark) peak hour traffic as I think it uses the energy recovery breaks over friction breaks and the lane keep assist basically just centers it all the way into town with very light finger touch steering to help it along. Few things I don't like is the lack of seat position memory and the better speakers from the electric would have been nice. For some reason when it was delivered none of the Kia online services worked. You can apparently app control and pre heat the car as well as control most of the functions through voice command but I haven't been able to activate and waiting for service appointment to get that all fixed up next week. My sister had her Rav4 Cruiser delivered about 6 months ago after a 10 month wait and she likes it but has two kids and needs the slightly bigger car. Rav4 screen is terrible and I didn't like the seating position as much but still would have bought one instead if I could have received it in 2022 and not 2024. Also would have gone to a Lexus UX but two dealships I dealt with basically wouldn't bother returning calls or engaging with me at all, maybe because they know they can't give me anything until 2025.

  • @stevenjoseph8980

    @stevenjoseph8980

    Жыл бұрын

    Congrats! The Niro's haven't even launched yet in the US. We have been waiting....and waiting....and waiting.

  • @allaussie

    @allaussie

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, waiting for my Rav4 XSE has made me start looking around for other options. Have never been a Kia fan, but may have to change my idea.

  • @Meduk
    @Meduk Жыл бұрын

    Ordered one in the UK. £32k for top spec with everything. 2 years free service as well. Not to badly priced here for the level of tech you get. 7 years warranty is a big advantage as well.

  • @JackyRogue

    @JackyRogue

    Жыл бұрын

    Is that you mate?

  • @JackyRogue

    @JackyRogue

    Жыл бұрын

    ...😆 How did I find you here of all places man?! Hope you're doing good. Id like ti talk to you about this car if its you!

  • @Meduk

    @Meduk

    Жыл бұрын

    @@JackyRogue such a small world mate haha. A

  • @thehoysauce
    @thehoysauce Жыл бұрын

    Saw one in person, but the shiny black plastic on the center console, dash and doors was disappointing.

  • @jesteraero
    @jesteraero Жыл бұрын

    Oddly they are much cheaper than hybrid rav4 in NZ. PHEV model in NZ starts at 50k after govt rebate comes to 44300k

  • @danielodonoghue3529
    @danielodonoghue3529 Жыл бұрын

    Test drove one today. (GT spec). Agree with almost all...however the engine noise is enough to give you headache within minutes. Noisiest engine I have ever experienced.

  • @aerienix
    @aerienix Жыл бұрын

    This vs the Corolla Cross should be interesting!

  • @whatthe6532

    @whatthe6532

    Жыл бұрын

    Ha. Corolla Cross should phone in sick on the day. It’s just horrible.

  • @TheHayabusa09
    @TheHayabusa09 Жыл бұрын

    Great review, thou for $55k drive-away, no sunroof. I paid $34k for my haval Jolion Ultra and love the panoramic sunroof!

  • @jasonlewis2990

    @jasonlewis2990

    Жыл бұрын

    People do a lot of weird comparisons on this channel, but this comment wins 1st place

  • @10jackoffsuit

    @10jackoffsuit

    Жыл бұрын

    What's a haval?

  • @Time_to_Stop_Animal_Abuse

    @Time_to_Stop_Animal_Abuse

    Жыл бұрын

    @@jasonlewis2990 - 🤣

  • @alereon
    @alereon Жыл бұрын

    Expensive car Aussies will not buy. Once again Australia is the dumping ground.

  • @auswhofan
    @auswhofan Жыл бұрын

    Significantly better than "Cap'n Skaky Hands"

  • @robertceroli3512
    @robertceroli3512 Жыл бұрын

    At that price if it was the Sportage a mid size SUV wouldn't be so bad but to pricey for a compact SUV that's why there siting in the showroom there not exactly flying out the door

  • @CathodeRayNipplez
    @CathodeRayNipplez Жыл бұрын

    Not ugly, not pretty. It's fine for commuting. Not being stupid heavy will help too. Battery warranty is interesting. Wonder why it's not unlimited? Something they're not telling us about battery technology?

  • @chasingcars

    @chasingcars

    Жыл бұрын

    Degradation from charging is just a reality of current battery tech, so I guess you have to draw the line somewhere. They all limit it at the moment, Kia certainly isn’t alone.

  • @CathodeRayNipplez

    @CathodeRayNipplez

    Жыл бұрын

    @@chasingcars Oh righto. Thanks.

  • @devvynully
    @devvynully Жыл бұрын

    Ouch, not for that price.

  • @johnmartin7158

    @johnmartin7158

    Жыл бұрын

    The RAV4 cruiser all day long.

  • @leedaq7767
    @leedaq7767 Жыл бұрын

    money is not the problem, rather buy Niro than boring everyday same looking CHR

  • @S_G_B
    @S_G_B Жыл бұрын

    Subtitles would be nice

  • @Visbalalam
    @Visbalalam Жыл бұрын

    Does anyone honestly find a use in a sunroof? I grew up with vehicles that had a sunroof and we never used it. For people that need a sunroof, what do you use it for?

  • @ronaldov09

    @ronaldov09

    Жыл бұрын

    I always use mine

  • @intheknow6499

    @intheknow6499

    Жыл бұрын

    Nope. When you’re 6’3” They’re a pain in the neck - literally. It’s the only thing I don’t like about my car. If could have ordered it without one I would have. I never even open the bloody cover. Waste of [head]space.

  • @elthamtreehugger5320

    @elthamtreehugger5320

    Жыл бұрын

    Panoramic glass roofs with shade blinds work well. More natural light

  • @johnmartin7158

    @johnmartin7158

    Жыл бұрын

    @@intheknow6499 Fair point. I’ve got a new 2022 RAV4 Hybrid, and I’m only 5’ 9” and I often wonder how taller people than me jump in and out. I have the sun roof. Hardly ever use it.

  • @masterod5728

    @masterod5728

    9 ай бұрын

    except when it rains, my rooftop is open whole the year because of fresh air without climate control, 2nd i am smoker, 3dt good light in the car.

  • @vustatube
    @vustatube Жыл бұрын

    No awd is a big no from me. Also the overall maintenance cost is ridiculously expensive

  • @shubhamgoswami5221
    @shubhamgoswami5221 Жыл бұрын

    RAV4 looks so huge in comparison to this.

  • @chasingcars

    @chasingcars

    Жыл бұрын

    RAV4 is 180mm longer which isn’t nothing, but the Toyota also has chunky styling cues.

  • @whatthe6532

    @whatthe6532

    Жыл бұрын

    @@chasingcars last time I had chunky styling cues was when I was had gastro. Didn’t like it then. Don’t like the RAV now.

  • @coldude2559
    @coldude2559 Жыл бұрын

    Bit expensive...🤔🤔🤔

  • @scollyutube
    @scollyutube Жыл бұрын

    Still not sure why you'd bother with a hybrid like this, when a Skoda Kamiq MC is cheaper, better speced, just as quick, has similiar power and torque, handles better with adj suspension even, and gets 750kms plus on a tank just with one petrol motor? It is even worse value when you compare the Niro EV version at 72k which is slower! You could do 180,000kms on the price difference alone, not even taking into account the $10k of electricity costs to travel that distance too.

  • @zaamuro8408

    @zaamuro8408

    Жыл бұрын

    Because everyone wants to jump on the EV bandwagon.

  • @bruceevennett955

    @bruceevennett955

    Жыл бұрын

    $10k electricity costs?

  • @sandeepsandhu4286
    @sandeepsandhu4286 Жыл бұрын

    I had gone to check kias out. Externally i liked em , but choice of materials inside ...that piano black and fonts on entartainment unit ...was just horrible.... looks like cheap plastic and was a complete let down ...to me !!... at the price kia is placing itself at ...i think thwre are better options.

  • @MarcoPolo-vb1sw
    @MarcoPolo-vb1sw Жыл бұрын

    Too expensive. Would rather wait for Rav awd cruise hybrid.

  • @MrrrrMime
    @MrrrrMime Жыл бұрын

    I don't for a second believe Kia when they suggest you could walk in off the street and buy one. Like a lot of other popular models, they'll probably have one or two base spec examples in non-metallic white and if you don't like it, well, wait 6-12 months. Just marketing BS from KIA imo

  • @chasingcars

    @chasingcars

    Жыл бұрын

    We’ve spoken to a number of dealers. Some had immediate stock. Some had arrivals within a week. Others had inflow from 1-6 months. Custom orders can generally be satisfied within 3 months, Kia says.

  • @brianharradine8130

    @brianharradine8130

    Жыл бұрын

    I've checked 4 local dealers and between them they had 1 new car (Sportage)! Only Mazda seem to have some new stock at the moment

  • @solid7468
    @solid7468 Жыл бұрын

    This car looks like the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.

  • @intheknow6499

    @intheknow6499

    Жыл бұрын

    Should’ve gone to Spec Savers.

  • @johnmartin7158

    @johnmartin7158

    Жыл бұрын

    You’ve got your shades on. Or should I say airline sleep eye masks.

  • @paulcopsey6170
    @paulcopsey6170 Жыл бұрын

    Sorry but i had trouble sometimes understanding what you were saying . Maybe where your mike was but it seemed like your voice just drifted off towards the end of your sentences .

  • @milkoowen6800
    @milkoowen6800 Жыл бұрын

    Very expensive servicing cost

  • @allaussie

    @allaussie

    Жыл бұрын

    Sure is compared to Toyota.

  • @milkoowen6800

    @milkoowen6800

    Жыл бұрын

    @@allaussie even compared to BMW, I mean the first 5 years of my x4 servicing is included in my sale price, and additonal 3 year is about 1400, or 2000 for 5 years. While my RAV4 is about 250 a pop. I don't know how KIA can justify such expensive servicing costs.

  • @allaussie

    @allaussie

    Жыл бұрын

    @@milkoowen6800 I think the Rav4 is about $230

  • @johnmartin7158

    @johnmartin7158

    Жыл бұрын

    @@allaussie Correct. I have a new RAV4.

  • @djizzah
    @djizzah Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful two tone? Who you trying to kid mate, that looks pox

  • @chasingcars

    @chasingcars

    Жыл бұрын

    Design is subjective.

  • @waxhead63
    @waxhead63 Жыл бұрын

    $570 per year to service .. you gotta be joking ... 7 year battery warranty/ 150000k life starting to get more than expensive .. now heading into Bull Shite zone ... Kia have every oportunity to storm the market but are over priced for what is nothing more than a warm fuzzy greenie feeling

  • @whatupyo7260
    @whatupyo7260 Жыл бұрын

    Piano black on the outside of the car now mmmmm NO

  • @BobbyDazzler888
    @BobbyDazzler888 Жыл бұрын

    Too expensive verses the toyota reliability.

  • @hughventer2934

    @hughventer2934

    Жыл бұрын

    It is a bit pricey, I thinks it’s more interesting but there is the 7 year warranty to combat ‘reliability issues’.

  • @intheknow6499

    @intheknow6499

    Жыл бұрын

    Toyota is no more reliable than half a dozen brands on the road - Kia being one of them - but their marketing department excels at pushing their reputation over the facts. And their sheep disciples just lap it up. Christ, they can’t even build an EV without the wheels LITERALLY falling off!

  • @nathanma1482

    @nathanma1482

    Жыл бұрын

    Exactly - 70K for a plug-in hybrid for a small Kia is insane and that’s why they have plenty of stocks in today’s market. Not to mention Kia / Hyundai EV is not time proven

  • @intheknow6499

    @intheknow6499

    Жыл бұрын

    @@nathanma1482 What video are you watching? This is a Hybrid for $55K. The EV is around $70K. Also, Kia have been building EVs for over 7 years, how is that not time proven?

  • @nathanma1482

    @nathanma1482

    Жыл бұрын

    @@intheknow6499 Yep. I meant the EV. I though it was PHEV like the Sorrento. Nevertheless, 72k+ for either EV or PHEV for a SMALL Kia is over. I would rather wait for the basic EV6 istead for the same amount of money. 7 years is definitely not time proven for me. Anyway, I haven't see much Kia (EV or Hybrid) running in Oz in the pass years. How could you claim Kia is more reliable than Toyota hybrid system that has been running over 20+ years comparing Hyundia/Kia hybrid which only availible in the market in the past 2 years? where do you get your data from? Out of those EV / PHEV / BEV - How many of them have driven over 300km+ ? Do you know how much does it cost to replace its battery after warranty? can they run as reliablity under australia (hot) weather? These are all my questions. I also don't believe your statement that "Half a dozen" car makers are more reliable than toyota. It is just your personal opinion and different to the result of market research.

  • @elthamtreehugger5320
    @elthamtreehugger5320 Жыл бұрын

    So overpriced. Shame as it would be good for suburban dwellers and younger people

  • @whatthe6532
    @whatthe6532 Жыл бұрын

    That strip is hideous.

  • @descarroll2039
    @descarroll2039 Жыл бұрын

    Ridiculous price, no electric sunroof too....buy something else, this is a rip-off

  • @johnmartin7158

    @johnmartin7158

    Жыл бұрын

    That’s the general consensus. Quite pricey.

  • @torizaemon
    @torizaemon Жыл бұрын

    its pretty ugly.

  • @mixalis6168
    @mixalis6168 Жыл бұрын

    You could not get a Cruiser Hybrid for 50 k

  • @chasingcars

    @chasingcars

    Жыл бұрын

    Plus ORC, I guess. And you’d have to wait.

  • @deceasedturtle

    @deceasedturtle

    Жыл бұрын

    Well technically you could, with the most basic Cruiser Hybrid (Glacier White, 2WD Hybrid) which ends up to $50607 driveaway. Well this is before the incoming price rise 🤷🏻‍♂️

  • @Tobycentresydney
    @Tobycentresydney Жыл бұрын

    Why can't kia make a nice looking, easy on the eyes car?!? this is not attractive . design score : F

  • @pauld6556
    @pauld6556 Жыл бұрын

    Mutton dressed as lamb is the way Kia is going. Flashy, stylish, modern looks but still same junk under the hood. Don’t even get me started on Kia’s dual clutch transmissions 🤢

  • @socialdef3

    @socialdef3

    Жыл бұрын

    drama queen much? not the end of the world, your complaints = first world problems bro.

  • @kane4013

    @kane4013

    Жыл бұрын

    @@socialdef3 Do you realise the entire point of review channels is to consider the pros and cons of each vehicle? BTW - Kia just dropped the dual clutch from the Seltos range. Sportage will be dropping it too in its next iteration. Kia admit this decision was made due to poor customer feedback. Put simply, the dual clutch was rubbish.

Келесі