New 2023 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid Costs $4,000 More Than Outgoing Model

Kia announced today that the 2023 Niro Plug-in Hybrid will start at $33,740 plus a $1,295 destination fee, which brings the price up to $35,035. That’s considerably more than the model it replaces, but it is also improved over the 2022 in a number of ways.

While the 2022 Kia Niro PHEV started at $30,885 ($1,295 destination fee included) – $4,150 less than the 2023 model – it also made less power and didn’t go as far. Thanks to an improved electric motor, the new model makes 180 hp (134 kW/182 PS), which amounts to a 41 hp (31 kW/41.5 PS) increase over the outgoing model.

That means that the power for the new model has been increased by about 30 percent, which should help it lug around its larger battery. Increased from 8.9 kWh to 11.1 kWh, the 2023 Niro PHEV can go up to 33 miles (53 km) on electric power alone. It can also be recharged in under three hours at a Level 2 charger.

Driven: The 2023 Kia Niro Offers An Electrified Powertrain For Everyone And Ride Comfort Like Few Others

That’s an increase of 25 percent over the model it replaces and contributes to the plug-in hybrid‘s rating of 108 MPGe. Again, that’s an improvement over the outgoing model’s rating of 105 MPGe.

One thing that the 2023 model has less of, though, is trim options. Customers will have just two packages to choose from in 2023, the EX and the SX Touring (as compared to the LXS, EX, and EX Premium trims offered last year).

As mentioned above, the EX trim starts at $35,035 and comes with 16 driver assistance features, including forward collision assist, blind spot collision warning, rear cross traffic collision avoidance technology, pedestrian detection, and more.

The SX Touring trim, meanwhile, starts at $40,785 ($39,490 plus $1,295 destination), and comes with 18-inch wheels, two-tone Aero C-Pillar colors panels, and more.

Based on a heavily modified version of the 2022 Kia Niro’s chassis, the new model offers optimized steering and suspension setups, and more space for passengers and cargo. The 2023 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid will be available in all 50 states, and is arriving in dealerships now.