2023 Kia Niro PHEV Review: Going Electric, Gradually – SlashGear

The Niro’s cabin isn’t just spacious, it’s cleanly designed and — in SX Touring trim, anyway — well-equipped. My primary complaint is too much piano black plastic, which shows smudges, fingerprints, and dust like little else. Kia does, at least, throw in some interesting ambient light effects, and while the plastics aren’t going to impress anyone from the luxe set, it all feels well-made, and the switchgear in particular is reassuringly solid.

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The 10.25-inch center touchscreen is standard, with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation on both EX and SX Touring trims, a wireless phone charger, power driver’s seat, and front seat heating. Dual-zone climate control is standard on both trims, too — operated by Kia’s mildly annoying dual-mode HVAC and media control panel. You flip between the two sets of controls with a touch-sensitive button that’s aggravatingly small, and has no textural distinction to it.

Chris Davies/SlashGear

Better is Kia’s selection of USB ports: Two USB-A and a USB-C up front, and two USB-A in the back (complete with some clever positioning). There’s also a 12V outlet in the front. The SynTex seat fabric isn’t going to be confused for real leather, but that’s fine for this segment and the price tag.