The upscale interior of the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid is a selling point.
FAST FACTS
* Model: 2018 Kia Niro PHEV EX Premium* Exterior color: Snow White Pearl* Interior color: Light Gray* Engine: 1.6-liter, four-cylinder with 60hp electric motor* All-electric range: 26 miles* Transmission: six-speed, dual-clutch automatic* Fuel economy: 105 MPGe* Local Dealer: Kia of Chattanooga* Price (as tested): $35,970
OK, admit it.
You've been watching gas prices creep up the last few months. You might even have begun wondering if the price of regular gas might soon top $3 per gallon. And once it crosses the $3 threshold, what's next? Four-dollar gas?
So, here's my point. Chattanooga car-buyers have been rushing to buy gas-chugging SUVs for so long now that even a modest spike in fuel prices jangles people's nerves. The average price of gas in the United States is reportedly up about 16 cents per gallon in just the last 30 days.
Thankfully, automakers who play the "long game" have never lost sight of the fact that volatile fuel prices are a given and that the pendulum historically swings back and forth.
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Looking for a used or new car?
The new-for-2018 Kia Niro plug-in hybrid is a little hatchback that stretches your fuel dollar to the max. The government says the plug-in hybrid has a mile-per-gallon-equivalent rating of about 105, and can go up to 26 miles on electric charge alone. This results in five-year fuel cost savings of about $3,250 over a comparable non-hybrid vehicle, the government estimates.
That should be enough to quell your growing gas-pump anxiety.
WHAT IS IT?
The Kia Niro plug-in hybrid is a four-door, five-passenger hatchback with a gas-electric powerplant that generates about 134 combined horsepower and propels the vehicle from zero to 60 mph in about 9 seconds. It is a good option for value-oriented singles and small families.
HOW MUCH? AND WHERE CAN YOU GET ONE?
Kias are available locally at Kia of Chattanooga on Chapman Road. The dealership has two non-hybrid Niros in digital inventory this week. The sticker price on our Snow White Pearl tester, provided by the manufacturer, is $35,970. The price of a base Niro plug-in hybrid is $28,540.
COOL FEATURES
During our week in the Kia plug-in, our notebook entries included: Nice fit and finish. Excellent split-screen telematics system. Boss Niro kick-plates. Attractive light-blue stitching on the door and seat trim. Sleek integrated roof rails.
BUGABOOS
Our notebook also had the following suggestions: Remember to turn off lane-integrity function which leads to twitchy steering. Mid-dash plastics are hard to the touch. The back seat leg-room is tight for adults, but should be fine for smaller children.
STYLING
The Niro's design is generic hatchback. Black cladding on the wheel arches is an iffy decision and the black plastic door guards on the lower side body panels look like a Toyota RAV4 circa. 2002. Interesting character lines in the hood look like inverted parentheses. Kia's classy black grille is a plus and the pearl paint has a beautiful, deep luster.
BOTTOM LINE
Aggressive fuel economy and a ton of standard features make the 2018 Kia Niro PHEV EX Premium a good choice for those who want to save a few bucks on fuel while riding in relative comfort. Fuel savings alone will help pay your monthly car note.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.