Kia's new Niro gets better in nearly every way

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- What's new with the Niro?  A lot, it turns out.

Kia's feisty compact crossover sport-utility vehicle received the "all-new" makeover treatment for the 2023 model year.

Most evident is the bolder, big-shouldered styling that's accented with a sleek roofline.  The "tiger nose" grille adds just the right touch of aggressiveness. While Kia designers were changing the look, they also made the vehicle bigger than its predecessor -- a definite plus.

Niro watchers know that the model offers pass-the-pump efficiency in all-electric form, or otherwise.  My tester was the 2023 Niro SX Touring model, which combines a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine with a 62 kilowatt electric motor.

That combo generates a max 180 horsepower and 195 foot-pounds of torque, and yes, those numbers translate to enthusiastic performance from the compact SUV.  I found myself bolting over the speed limit numerous times, with very little effort from my right foot.

Thankfully, my amateurish accelerations did not cost me much. The fuel ratings on the tester were an impressive 53 miles per gallon in the city and 45 mpg on the highway.

For those looking at the all-electric Niro, Kia engineers expanded the range of that vehicle for 2023.  Full electric or not, the Niro is a top-ten environmental offering in my book.

For a vehicle priced at a very reasonable $36,435, my tester was generously equipped with customer-pleasing features.  That included the 10.25-inch touchscreen, heated/ventilated front seats, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, a power sunroof and a power liftgate.

Safety/driver-assist features also were plentiful. My ride included forward collision avoidance, lane-following assist and smart cruise control.

Keeping in mind that Kia America is headquartered in Irvine, California, it struck me all during my week in the Niro that this might be the ultimate Golden State motor vehicle ... all-electric option, hybrid version, built for the long haul, comfortable on twisty Sierra Nevada roads and maneuverable on traffic-choked city streets.

That makes for a sizable consumer win as those taste-of-California charms are offered on Niros sold coast to coast.