Kia Niro

How it looks when you see on the street: Kia Niro has an all-new look for 2023 — and its turning heads. The Niro is made as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and all-electric vehicle (EV). It’s a unique offering that’s two steps ahead of the curve, both affordable, efficient, and practical. Up close, it has an elongated front end, angular headlights, a flat table-like hood, and a long wide grille.

How it makes you feel when you get in: The Niro interior is neat and tidy. We drove the plug-in hybrid EX Premium, a fully loaded model, which still used a fair amount of plastic in a dark, subdued interior. It came with a sunroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 18-inch wheels, and a 10.3-inch infotainment display. Infotainment across the Kia line is easy to use. Standard safety tech includes forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision warning lane keeping assist and cyclist blind-spot collision warning, essential in city driving situations. Again, the breadth of the bundle is a great value.

How it drives: Niro, in all variations, is good for cruising around town in serenity. It has minimal power and pluck, but once it gets going the ride is smooth. Across the board, Niro’s story is about fuel economy. The traditional hybrid that we tested earned 53 on the streets and 45 miles per gallon on the highway.

Space for people and things: Four passengers fit comfortably, while the fifth passenger will be more cramped, a common denominator in the small SUV segment that includes Nissan Rogue and Honda HRV.

What you should compare it to: Mazda CX-30, Kia Soul, Subaru Crosstrek.

How much does it cost: The three separate power trains add flexibility in pricing, and start at $27,915. The EX Premium trim starts at about $33,000.