The 2025 Kia Niro: A Cost-Effective Daily Driver
The Kia Niro is a vehicular Swiss Army Knife for those looking for a cost-effective A-to-B daily driver. It’s just big enough to offer reasonable utility, with three different drivetrains (hybrid, PHEV, or EV) providing buyers plenty of options depending on their lifestyle and commuting needs. Despite its shortcomings—such as a second row of seats that does not fold flat, and the absence of an AWD option for snowy climates—the Kia Niro remains a solid, cost-conscious choice.
That’s why we shouldn’t be surprised that the “new” 2025 Kia Niro doesn’t change much from the 2024 model year. In fact, almost nothing changes except for its price, which experiences a marginal bump along with some new standard equipment on a few trims.
What’s Actually Different?
However, the “what’s new” list is very short. For starters, all trims of the 2025 Kia Niro will include rear seatbelt pre-tensioners as standard. This is a great safety feature and demonstrates Kia’s commitment to safety across the board, although it isn’t exactly groundbreaking.
The second update is that the SX PHEV trim will come with the Cold Weather package, which includes heated rear seats and a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater to maintain all-electric mode range. While we won’t scoff at heated rear seats or enhancements that help extend range, we truly wish Kia would opt for an AWD drivetrain as well. As much as residents in Chicago, New York, or Detroit would appreciate heated rear seats during the winter, they would likely also value additional traction.
How Much Does The 2025 Kia Niro Cost?
The Kia Niro Hybrid and PHEV experience moderate price adjustments, with the exception of the SX Hybrid trim, which is $50 cheaper. It’s unclear how Kia managed to reduce the price of this trim, but it’s certainly welcome. Notably absent from the pricing details is the Niro EV. While we’ve confirmed that the Kia Niro EV is returning for 2025, the automaker has yet to announce its MSRP. Stay tuned for updates.
Meanwhile, prices for the EX Hybrid and EX Hybrid Touring increase by $150, while the LX Hybrid and SX Hybrid Touring see $50 increases. The EX PHEV experiences a $100 price bump, and the SX Touring PHEV sees a more substantial rise of $650. Priced at $42,165, the SX Touring PHEV exceeds the 2025 Sorento EX Hybrid AWD’s $41,865. With the Sorento, you may sacrifice the PHEV capability but benefit from greater space and AWD. The Kia Niro EX PHEV emerges as a sweet spot for value and range, embodying a smart choice for budget-conscious drivers.
