Kia · Small SUVs · Plug-in hybrid
Kia Niro Plug-in hybrid: MPG and annual fuel cost, 2026
In model year 2026 the Kia Niro Plug-in hybrid is rated at 48 MPG combined, 26th of 113 small SUVs, in the top quarter, ahead of 78% of the others.
- 48MPG combined26th of 113 in class
- $1,400a year in fuel26th of 113 in class
- 71g/mile CO2
Where it stands
Compared only with the plug-in hybrid models of its class it is the most efficient of the 8 plug-in hybrid small SUVs rated that year. The median of that narrower group is 34 MPG, against 29 MPG for all small SUVs together.
Across every class it is the most efficient of the 29 plug-in hybrid models rated that year.
Kia has 16 models in the 2026 data. This one ranks 5th of them on combined rating, against a make median of 34.5 MPG.
In its class, just ahead of it is the Kia Niro Hybrid at 53 MPG and just behind it is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid at 43 MPG.
A plug-in hybrid can run on its battery for a distance and then on fuel. The MPG, fuel cost and CO2 figures on this site are for running on fuel with the battery depleted, so a driver who charges often will use less fuel than shown.
Fuel cost and CO2
The file prices the fuel for its most efficient version at about $1,400 a year, assuming 15,000 miles a year with 55% of them in the city and regular gasoline at $4.47 per gallon. That is $900 less than the small SUVs median of $2,300.
It emits 71 g of CO2 per mile from the tailpipe; the small SUVs median is 298, a difference of 227 g/mile.
Rated versions
It does better in town than on the road: 49 in the city against 47 on the highway, a gap of 2. The data lists one version for 2026: Niro Plug-in Hybrid: 1.6 L, 4 cyl hybrid, Automatic (AM-S6), FWD.
| Version | Combined MPG | City MPG | Highway MPG | Annual fuel cost | CO2 g/mile | Electric range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niro Plug-in Hybrid: 1.6 L, 4 cyl hybrid, Automatic (AM-S6), FWD | 48 | 49 | 47 | $1,400 | 71 | 33 |
Year by year
The Kia Niro Plug-in hybrid is in the data for 7 of the 8 model years from 2019 to 2026. Its best combined rating went from 46 in 2019 to 48 MPG in 2026, up 2 MPG. Fuel cost for the best version is $1,400 in the latest data against $1,450 in 2019, although the file applies today's fuel prices to every model year, so that change comes from the rating, not from prices.
| Model year | Versions | Best MPG | Lowest MPG | Fuel cost | CO2 g/mi | Class median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 48 | 48 | $1,400 | 71 | 29 |
| 2025 | 1 | 48 | 48 | $1,400 | 71 | 29 |
| 2023 | 1 | 48 | 48 | $1,400 | 71 | 27 |
| 2022 | 1 | 46 | 46 | $1,450 | 90 | 26 |
| 2021 | 1 | 46 | 46 | $1,450 | 90 | 26 |
| 2020 | 1 | 46 | 46 | $1,450 | 90 | 26 |
| 2019 | 1 | 46 | 46 | $1,450 | 90 | 26 |
Similar models
| Model | Powertrain | Combined MPG | Annual fuel cost | Model year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Niro Hybrid | Hybrid | 53 | $1,250 | 2026 |
| Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | Hybrid | 43 | $1,550 | 2026 |
| Kia Sportage Hybrid | Hybrid | 42 | $1,600 | 2026 |
| Lexus NX Hybrid | Hybrid | 40 | $2,050 | 2026 |
| Ford Escape Hybrid | Hybrid | 39 | $1,700 | 2026 |
Rated almost identically and covered by this page:
- Kia Sorento Plug-in hybrid 33 MPG, $2,050 a year, 1 version, last rated 2026
Compare and rank
Rankings: Small SUVs, Plug-in hybrid, Kia, Plug-in hybrid small SUVs.
Data: US EPA and DOE, as prepared in methods and data.