How Many Miles & Years Do Kia Niros Last? (9 Important Facts)

Families will find a treasure in the Kia Niro.

For such a small SUV, it has a surprisingly large amount of passenger and luggage space. And its incredible fuel economy saves you money that you can use for other needs. 

This article discusses the durability of the Kia Niro, but before we dive in:
Check our list of most-common problems with the Nissan Niro modes.

Here is the short answer to how long the Kia Niro lasts:

A well-maintained Kia Niro should provide up to 200,000 miles of service before requiring any major repairs. If you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year, that means you can get up to 13 years of problem-free performance from your Niro. 

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Kia Niro?

You can expect your Kia Niro to last for 200,000 miles or more. That said, frequent maintenance of your Niro can increase its lifespan.

Taking good care of your car and keeping up with recommended service and maintenance activities can make all the difference in terms of longevity. Also, driving the car within its limits and storing it properly can also prevent serious, life-shortening breakdowns.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on Your Kia Niro?

There are no customer complaints about rusting in the Kia Niro online. This might be because Kia only introduced the Niro model in 2017.

Still, it may be safe to say that the Kia Niro can last for four years with no appearance of rust.

Nevertheless, it’s best that you apply wax on your car every four months to delay rusting. If you live in salt-belt areas, you may also need to apply undercoating to protect your car from road salt.

If you live in coastal areas or places that get a lot of precipitation, wash your car regularly to remove corrosive substances that can aid rust.

How Long Do Kia Niros Last Compared to Similar SUVs?

Since cars are expensive, many people want to make sure they are buying the most durable vehicle on the market. Here is a comparison between the Kia Niros and its rival to help you make your final buying decision:

Kia Niro vs. Toyota Prius

The Kia Niro has a shorter lifespan than the Toyota Prius. While most Toyota Priuses can last beyond 250,000 miles, the Kia Niro may only last for 200,000 miles. However, data from Yourmechanic.com shows that the Niro has a cheaper average annual maintenance and repair cost at $224 compared to the Prius’ $292.

Kia Niro vs. Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek is another vehicle that beats the Kia Niro in durability. The average Crosstrek will not suffer a major breakdown before its owner drives it for 300,000 miles. On the other hand, Kia Niros may not deliver optimal performance after 200,000 miles.

Kia Niro vs. Ford C-Max

Ford C-Max and Kia Niro have similar durability levels. You should expect your Kia Niro or Ford C-Max to deliver optimal performance for about 200,000 miles.

Please also read our article about how long the Kia K900 lasts.

How Reliable Is a Kia Niro?

In terms of reliability, the Kia Niro is one of the top players in the SUV category. Consumer Reports named the Kia Niro the most reliable vehicle in its 2018 survey. Also, J.D. Power rated the 2019 Kia Niro a 78/100 in reliability.

Kia’s Niro offers excellent fuel economy. Consumer Reports states that the vehicle can last for 43 miles on a gallon of fuel (43mpg).

In addition, the Kia Niro’s warranty has a long grace period. So, if your car develops a fault within seven years after purchasing it, Kia will most likely cover the repair costs.

All Kia users also enjoy the ‘Drive now, pay later scheme’ when they service their vehicle at a licensed Kia service shop. This scheme allows users to pay 25% of their maintenance costs upfront and spread the rest of their bill over the next three months.

The Best and Worst Model Years for Kia Niro

The worst model year for the Kia Niro is 2017.

We have a full list here of the best and worst Kira Niro years.

This model received the highest number of complaints from Kia Niro users. According to carcomplaints.com, most of the negative reviews about the 2017 model indicated that the door handle broke off.

2021 is the best model year for the Kia Niro. Although this car is smaller than its peers, it boasts impressive gas mileage. The Kia Niro can cover up to 50 miles per gallon. Meanwhile, carcomplaints.com has not recorded any complaints about the 2021 Kia Niro model since its release.

What About Recalls for These Models?

The Kia Niro has been recalled three times since its debut.

Kia Motors recalled some 2017 Kia Niros to fix their Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA). The oil seal in the HCA may leak and transfer oil to the cap area of the vehicle. If oil piles up in the cap area, it may lead to a short circuit. Short circuits can damage the vehicle’s wires and cause a fire.

Another recall was issued for some 2017-2018 models to correct a problem with their Hydraulic Propulsion System.

Make sure to also read our article about how long Kia K5s last.

Kia Niro Model Year List

Here is a list of the Kia Niro’s model years:

• 2017 Kia Niro
• 2018 Kia Niro
• 2019 Kia Niro
• 2020 Kia Niro
• 2021 Kia Niro

Are Kia Niros Expensive to Maintain?

Maintaining a Kia Niro is cheap. Repairpal.com states that it costs an average of $426 per year to maintain and repair a Kia Niro.

This is cheaper than the average maintenance costs for compact SUVs, which is $521.

How Long Do Kia Niro Brake Pads Last?

Kia Niro brake pads can last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles.

Your Kia Niro brake pads may wear out faster than usual if you drive in heavy traffic frequently.

One way to know if your brake pads need replacement is to check if they screech when you press the brake pedal. You probably need new brake pads if your brake pads make loud noises like squealing, vibrating, or clicking.

Also check out our article about how long Kia Souls last.

How Long Do Kia Niro Tires Last?

Your Kia Niro tires can last up to 50,000 miles. However, you may need to change your tires before 50,000 miles if their sidewalls start breaking.

To make your Kia Niro tires last longer, rotate them after every 5,000 miles at the service shop. You can also extend their lifespan by maintaining the proper air pressure in your tires and inflating them when necessary.

How Long Do Kia Niro Transmissions Last?

The average Kia Niro transmission lasts between 150,000 to 200,000 miles. So, you may not need to change your transmission unless it develops a major fault.

To make your transmission last longer, change it when necessary and don’t abuse the system if yours is an automatic.

How Long Do Kia Niro Spark Plugs Last?

Replace your Kia Niro spark plugs after every 60,000 miles. Although some experts recommend waiting till 100,000 miles before changing them, using low-performance spark plugs may affect your driving.

If your spark plugs are not in top shape, they can slow down your driving speed or consume excessive fuel.

According to yourmechanic.com, Kia Niro spark plugs cost between $250 and $286.

What About Insurance Cost for Kia Niro?

The average insurance policy for Kia Niro an average of $1,316 per year, according to buyautoinsurance.com. The actual fees you may pay to insure your Kia Niro depends on some factors, including:

1. Gender: Most insurance service providers require male drivers to pay higher insurance fees than females. Research from moneysupermarket.com suggests that women make less high-value claims than men.
2. Age: Because they are more likely to get involved in accidents, car insurance for teenage drivers and young adults is expensive. In contrast, middle-aged drivers enjoy insurance at low prices. Many insurers also offer discounts to drivers above 50 years of age.
3. Occupation: People in risky careers, such as detectives, pay expensive insurance premiums compared to people in relatively safer professions.
4. Postcode: If you live in a place where crime is rampant, your insurance company may charge high costs for your Kia Niro coverage.
5. Driving Record: You’ll probably need to pay costly insurance fees if you have a record of car crashes.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Kia Niro

Here are some tips to help prolong your Kia Niro’s life:

1. Change your engine oil after every 7,500 miles.
2. Avoid ignoring warning signs. When your car displays a warning light, find out what the issue is and solve the problem immediately. Alternatively, you could take it to a Kia service shop and ask an expert to fix the problem for you.
3. Rotate your tires after each 5,000-mile interval.
4. Always use genuine replacement parts for your car. Get your new vehicle components at licensed retail stores. Using substandard products can damage your Kia Niro.

Sources

Kia Niro | carcomplaints.com

Kia Niro | consumerreports.org

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