2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

small car / 4-door wagon

Plug-in hybrid
2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid 4-door wagon

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid LX wagon

The Kia Niro was introduced in the 2017 model year and is derived from the Hyundai Ioniq and Elantra. Like the Ioniq, the Niro is a hybrid with both a gasoline engine and electric motor. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid was introduced in the 2018 model year. This variant also uses a gasoline engine and electric motor, but the motor's lithium-ion battery can be charged by connecting it with an electrical cord to a standard household outlet.

Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a Niro Plug-In Hybrid conducted by Hyundai/Kia. Ratings apply to both the Niro and Niro Plug-In Hybrid models.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN1802
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 6
Footrest (cm) 3
Left toepan (cm) 2
Brake pedal (cm) 4
Parking brake (cm) 12
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 3
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 5
Lower instrument panel (cm) 5

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN1802
Head
HIC-15 157
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 10
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 31
Femur (kN)
Left 1.2
Right 3.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 2
Right 3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 1
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.32
Right 0.48
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.7
Right 1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 64
Right 47

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid LX wagon

The Kia Niro was introduced in the 2017 model year and is derived from the Hyundai Ioniq and Elantra. Like the Ioniq, the Niro is a hybrid with both a gasoline engine and electric motor. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid was introduced in the 2018 model year. This variant also uses a gasoline engine and electric motor, but the motor's lithium-ion battery can be charged by connecting it with an electrical cord to a standard household outlet.

Two passenger-side small overlap frontal tests of the Niro Plug-In Hybrid were conducted, one by the Institute and the other by Hyundai/Kia. Ratings are based on both tests and apply to both the Niro and Niro Plug-In Hybrid models.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the Institute's passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger's survival space was maintained reasonably well (Institute test car shown).

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury (Institute test shown).

The passenger's space was maintained reasonably well in both tests, but forces on the right lower leg were just high enough to indicate the possibility of injuries in the test conducted by the Institute (pictured). In the test conducted by Hyundai/Kia, injury risk to both legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1806 CEP1817
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 12 15
Footrest (cm) 7 9
Right toepan (cm) 5 6
Center toepan (cm) 3 3
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 8 6
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 10 15
Upper dash (cm) 15 10
Right lower dash (cm) 12 10

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1806 CEP1817
Head
HIC-15 158 118
Peak gs at hard contact no contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 18 22
Maximum Nij 0.26 0.28
Chest maximum compression (mm) 19 18
Femur (kN)
Left 1.2 0.0
Right 3.1 2.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 3 0
Right 5 5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0 0
Right 0 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.48 0.40
Right 0.72 0.63
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.1 2.0
Right 1.9 4.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left no data 70
Right 54 38

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1806 CEP1817
Head
HIC-15 102 90
Peak gs at hard contact no contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 15 19
Maximum Nij 0.18 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 35 35
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1 0.2
Right 0.2 0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 2 0
Right 1 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0 0
Right 0 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.34 0.27
Right 0.27 0.35
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.4 0.2
Right 0.8 1.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 31 37
Right 42 38

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid LX wagon

The Kia Niro was introduced in the 2017 model year and is derived from the Hyundai Ioniq and Elantra. Like the Ioniq, the Niro is a hybrid with both a gasoline engine and electric motor. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid was introduced in the 2018 model year. This variant also uses a gasoline engine and electric motor, but the motor's lithium-ion battery can be charged by connecting it with an electrical cord to a standard household outlet.

Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a Niro Plug-In Hybrid conducted by Hyundai/Kia. Ratings apply to both the Niro and Niro Plug-In Hybrid models.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1804
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 4
Left (cm) 6
Center (cm) 7
Right (cm) 9
Brake pedal (cm) 9
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -3
Rearward (cm) -6
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1804
Head
HIC-15 210
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 15
Maximum Nij 0.31
Chest maximum compression (mm) 36
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 1.4
Femur force - right (kN) 0.6
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.31
Maximum tibia index - right 0.86
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.6
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 3.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 41
Right 142

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid LX wagon

The Kia Niro was introduced in the 2017 model year and is derived from the Hyundai Ioniq and Elantra. Like the Ioniq, the Niro is a hybrid with both a gasoline engine and electric motor. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid was introduced in the 2018 model year. This variant also uses a gasoline engine and electric motor, but the motor's lithium-ion battery can be charged by connecting it with an electrical cord to a standard household outlet.

Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a Niro Plug-In Hybrid conducted by Hyundai/Kia. Ratings apply to both the Niro and Niro Plug-In Hybrid models.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1803
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -16.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1803
Head HIC-15 362
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Compression (kN) 1.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 28
Lateral force (kN) 0.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 28
Average deflection (mm) 26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.42
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.54
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 2.0
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.9
Combined force (kN) 3.9
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.5
L-M moment (Nm) 129
A-P moment (Nm) -29

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1803
Head HIC-15 70
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.5
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 36
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 34
Average deflection (mm) 26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.19
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.49
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.1
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.1
Combined force (kN) 1.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.7
L-M moment (Nm) 186
A-P moment (Nm) 69

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Kia Niro hybrid LX wagon

Rating applies to both the Niro hybrid (tested) and Niro Plug-In Hybrid versions.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,138 lbs
Peak force19,696 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio6.28

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 42
Distance below top of head (mm) -20
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 10.7
Head contact time (ms) 60
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 23
Max neck tension (N) 555

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • LX trim
  • EX trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • LX trim
  • EX trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2018-19 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 109.1 m None
Straightaway left edge 39.1 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 53.8 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 40.0 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 42.3 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 35.3 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 146.6 m
Straightaway left edge 64.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 55.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 47.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 43.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 37.2 m

Trim level(s)

  • EX Premium trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Excessive glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair in all 4 tests.

The low beams created excessive glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • EX Premium trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2018-19 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 147.9 m 308.6%
Straightaway left edge 113.7 m 308.6%
250m radius right curve, right edge 62.9 m 91.5%
250m radius left curve, left edge 61.3 m 12.7%
150m radius right curve, right edge 48.1 m 14.5%
150m radius left curve, left edge 46.1 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 151.5 m
Straightaway left edge 143.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 62.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 61.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 48.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 46.1 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2018-19 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLX
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLX
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 16
Clearance angle (degrees) 72
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 29
Clearance angle (degrees) 75
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 19
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 24
Clearance angle (degrees) 70
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation