2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system	Superior

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

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.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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 weight	3,138 lbs
Peak force	19,696 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	6.28

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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux 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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	LX
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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	LX
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	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

Position	Rating
1
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
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
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

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

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

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

2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

small car / 4-door wagon

Crashworthiness

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Seat belts & child restraints

Other available safety features

Small overlap front: driver-side

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Moderate overlap front: original test

Side: original test

Roof strength

Head restraints & seats

Headlights

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Overall evaluation

Child seat anchors