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While Toyota has the most hybrid vehicles, other automakers have achieved success in the hybrid segment as well. This includes Kia. With their more complicated powertrains, hybrid vehicles are usually more expensive than fully gas-powered versions. However, Kia offers an affordable one with the 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid subcompact crossover SUV. It’s the cheapest new Kia hybrid car. Also, the Niro Hybrid is the SUV with the best gas mileage.

2023 Kia Niro Hybrid is the cheapest new Kia hybrid car

Front view of 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid, cheapest new Kia hybrid car and SUV with the best gas mileage
2023 Kia Niro | Kia

With a starting price of $26,590 MSRP, the 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid is the cheapest new Kia hybrid car. That’s high-level efficiency at an affordable price.

Here are the new Kia hybrid cars — in order of cheapest to most expensive:

  1. 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid: $26,590 MSRP
  2. 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid: $27,490 MSRP
  3. 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid: $36,690 MSRP

All of the Kia hybrid models are SUVs. Along with the Niro, the most affordable one, there’s the Sportage Hybrid compact crossover SUV and the Sorento Hybrid midsize SUV. Also, for each of these SUVs, there are both traditional hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants. A plug-in hybrid can drive with electric-only power for short distances.

Kia Niro Hybrid is the SUV with the best gas mileage

Dashboard in 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid, most affordable new Kia hybrid car and SUV with the best fuel economy
2023 Kia Niro | Kia

Along with being the cheapest new Kia hybrid car, the 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid is the SUV with the best gas mileage (not including all-electric SUVs). With an estimated fuel economy of up to 53 combined mpg, it tops all other gas-powered SUVs for fuel economy, as detailed by TrueCar. The next most efficient one is the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid (up to 43 combined mpg).

Here are the new SUVs with the best gas mileage:

  1. 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid: Up to 53 combined mpg
  2. 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid: Up to 43 combined mpg
  3. 2023 Lexus UX: Up to 42 combined mpg
  4. 2023 Ford Escape: Up to 41 combined mpg
  5. 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: Up to 40 combined mpg
  6. 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid: Up to 43 combined mpg
  7. 2023 Toyota Venza: Up to 39 combined mpg
  8. 2023 Lexus NX: Up to 39 combined mpg
  9. 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid: Up to 38 combined mpg
  10. 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime: Up to 38 combined mpg

Toyota and its Lexus luxury division dominate this list of SUVs with the best fuel economy. However, Kia takes the top two spots with the Niro Hybrid and Sportage Hybrid.

Redesign for the 2023 Niro

Along with being the cheapest new Kia hybrid car and the SUV with the best gas mileage, the 2023 Kia Niro has a thorough redesign. It has bolder exterior styling and a more refined and modern cabin — utilizing the Kia “Opposites United” design philosophy. 

Additionally, the affordable subcompact SUV had a growth spurt, resulting in more passenger and cargo space. However, despite the size increase, it’s lighter, which helped improve the driving dynamics. Plus, the plug-in hybrid variant is more powerful. 

There is also a range of new features, including new 10.3-inch screens for the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. Furthermore, the redesigned 2023 Niro provides greater personalization with more customization options.

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Staff Writer, Producer - SUVs

Mark Putzer

With seven years of experience writing in the automotive industry prior to joining MotorBiscuit in 2021, Mark’s work can be found on dealership websites across North America. A Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison sent Mark into the wilderness for environmental studies. Here, he discovered a passion for driving off-road trucks and SUVs off the beaten path.

During his extensive international travels, Mark developed an affinity for foreign cars and international automotive markets. Inspired by the industry-wide push toward environmentally-friendly EVs and hybrids, Mark covers topics about recent advances in the automotive industry, in addition to everything from off-road concepts to emerging EV technology.