Plug-in hybrid cars and crossovers are steadily increasing in popularity in the U.S. market. 2024 saw a dramatic shift in interest from fully electric vehicles to gasoline-electric hybrid products. PHEVs sit directly as a halfway point between these two drivetrain configurations as they combine the best of both worlds. With a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, you get to enjoy the benefits of a fully electric drivetrain over short distances and eliminate the worry of range anxiety thanks to the added benefit of an efficient ICE.
Despite a surge in interest from both consumers and manufacturers, PHEVs remain a niche proposition. They are typically substantially more expensive than their standard HEV counterparts because of the more technical electrical system and larger battery pack. This results in a very steep entry point, which is a turn-off for a lot of potential first-time buyers. There is one South Korean compact crossover with a very attractive starting price and a longstanding reputation for efficiency and reliability, making it an ideal option if it is your first time considering a PHEV.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, Consumer Reports, and the NHTSA.
Green Kia Niro Hybrid
2024 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Charging Costs And Range Explained
The Kia Niro PHEV promotes fast charging times and low costs thanks to its compact battery pack.
Why The Kia Niro Should Be Your First PHEV
2024 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybridis one of the simplest and most accessible PHEV options that you can consider in the 2025 new vehicle market. Under the hood, you'll find the Hyundai Group's dependable naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine fitted to a six-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission with a permanent-magnet-synchronous motor positioned in-between.
The system produces a combined 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet exclusively to the front wheels. The result is a 7.3-second 0-60 MPH acceleration time and 100 MPH top speed. The motor generates 83 horsepower and 149 pound-feet when operating independently. There's also a hybrid starter generator located within the transmission, which churns out a modest 11 horsepower and 26 pound-feet. The ICE produces 104 horsepower and 106 pound-feet without any electrical assistance.
Performance Specifications
| Powertrain | 1.6-liter Four-Cylinder And One Permanent-Magnet Motor |
| Horsepower | 180 HP @ 5,700 RPM |
| Torque | 195 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM |
| Transmission | Six-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic |
| Battery | 11.1 kWh |
| Range | 510 Miles (33 EV Miles) |
| Fuel Economy | 108 MPG |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.3 Seconds |
| Top Speed | 100 MPH |
The real reason why you're going to consider the Niro PHEV is for its amazing efficiency abilities. According to the EPA, you can expect the entire system to return a 48 MPG result on the combined cycle, together with a 510-mile range thanks to the 11.1 kWh battery pack and 9.8-gallon gasoline tank.
Using electrical power only, you can expect to cover 34 miles on a single charge and benefit from a 31 kWh per 100 miles average energy consumption estimate. The EPA also indicates that you can expect to save up to $4,250 in fuel costs over five years and spend around $800 on gasoline and electricity every year. It costs $1.16 to drive 25 miles using electricity and $1.62 to drive the ICE without any electrical assistance. A full tank of gas will cost around $30.
Adding to the Niro PHEV's appeal is its 79/100 overall score from Consumer Reports, which includes an 87/100 road test score and a 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction score. It only gets 55/100 for predicted reliability, likely because the 2025 model year currently has an active recall for the airbags.
2024 Kia Niro Hybrid
2024 Kia Niro Hybrid And Plug-In Hybrid: Every Trim Compared
Take a look at the 2024 Kia Niro Hybrid And Plug-In Hybrid lineup, offering diverse trims, consistent features, and impressive fuel economy.
How Much A 2025 Niro PHEV Costs
2024 Kia Niro Hybrid
Kia offers the Niro PHEV in two trims. The base EX costs $34,490, while the flagship SX Touring increases the price to $40,790. Kia attaches a $1,395 destination charge to all orders. Kia has equipped the EX trim with some impressive comfort features, including a pair of 10-way electrically adjustable and heated front seats with Charcoal SynTex and cloth upholstery. It also features ambient lighting, a six-speaker audio system for the 4.3-inch touchscreen, and a wireless smartphone charger.
Optional extras for the EX include Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, and Runaway Red premium paints for $395 and the $600 Cold Weather Package, which includes heating for the PTC, rear outward seats, and steering wheel. You'll find yourself paying $350 for an auto-dimming rearview mirror, $150 for a cargo cover, and $345 for an interior accent lighting kit. Crossbars for the roof are an additional $410. Other accessories include $125 mud guards, $175 carpeted floor mats, and a $115 cargo tray. There's also a $55 cargo net and $100 cargo mat.
Kia makes the SX Touring a more comprehensive setting by adding ventilation and full perforated SynTex upholstery to the front seats. You also get a seven-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, LED interior lighting, alloy interior trimmings and pedals, and an electronically controllable sunroof. Kia doesn't make any additional packages available for this trim, but you can select the same accessories as the EX trim.
Shot of a white Toyota Prius Prime and a red Kia Niro PHEV
Comparison: Toyota Prius Prime vs. Kia Niro PHEV
The Toyota Prius Prime and Kia Niro PHEV are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles taking the hybrid game to the next level.
The Toyota Prius Prime Is A Great Alternative
Toyota Prius Prime silver parked on a driveway
2024 Toyota Prius Prime
The 2024 Toyota Prius Prime enters its second year in the American market as a compelling plug-in hybrid compact sedan without any changes from the previous year. It is powered by the brand's heavily revised naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder Atkinson engine supported by an electric motor to produce a combined 220 horsepower to the front wheels. The PHEV can be had in SE, XSE, and XSE Premium trims with prices starting at $32,350 MSRP.
The Toyota Prius Prime is a great and more affordable alternative to the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, but that's only if you're happy to sacrifice a bit of interior practicality. This derivative features a more powerful naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two permanent-magnet motors that work together to generate an impressive 220 horsepower to the front wheels only, via its direct-drive eCVT unit. The ICE alone produces 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet. The front-mounted permanent-magnet motor generates 161 horsepower. Toyota fails to provide a combined torque output. This results in a claimed 6.4-second 0-60 MPH time and limited 112 MPH top speed.
As per the EPA's estimates, the SE is the best option for you to consider if you want to enjoy maximum range and efficiency returns. Thanks to its smaller wheels and lighter curb weight figure, you can expect to enjoy up to 600 miles of uninterrupted driving in between refueling and battery charges.
On electric power alone, this model will drive for 44 miles via the 10.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. On the consumption front, the EPA estimates a 127 MPGe combined consumption, or 26 kWh per 100 miles when using electricity. The gasoline engine returns a combined 52 MPG result.
| SE | XSE/XSE Premium | |
| Range | 600 Miles | 550 Miles |
| EV Range | 44 Miles | 39 Miles |
| Fuel Economy | 127 MPGe | 114 MPGe |
The XSE derivatives feature bigger wheels and a slightly heavier curb weight figure, but you still benefit from an impressive 550-mile range estimate when using the ICE system and 39 miles when driving on electricity only. It also enjoys a 114 MPGe or 29 kWh per 100-mile consumption rate when using electricity and a combined 48 MPG when you're running the ICE system. If you fit the solar roof option to the XSE Premium model, you'll get to enjoy an additional three to four miles of range every day, depending on weather conditions.
How Much A 2025 Toyota Prius Prime Costs
Toyota
The Toyota Prius Prime range starts at an impressively low $33,375 for the base SE trim. The $36,625 XSE and $40,070 XSE Premium follow the base trim as more luxurious derivatives. This excludes the $1,135 destination fee. The SE is somewhat of a bare-bones offering as it only includes features such as single-zone climate control, fabric upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, and a smaller 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system connected to a six-speaker audio system. You also get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a rear-facing camera, a heated SofTex-wrapped steering wheel, and six USB-C charging ports.
Price | |
|---|---|
SE | $33,375 |
XSE | $36,625 |
XSE Premium | $40,070 |
Upgrading to the XSE grants you access to the hands-free Smart Key system, heating and electric adjustments for the front seats, SofTex upholstery, a rear armrest, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink. There's also a wireless smartphone charger and access to more optional extras. The top-of-the-range XSE Premium includes the smartphone-based Digital Key system, memory functions for the driver's seat, an electronic tailgate, the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and the premium eight-speaker JBL audio system.
Source: The PHEV That’s Perfect For First-Time Buyers
