2027 Kia Niro Facelift Brings A New Face And Bigger Screens

• The Kia Niro gets a mild facelift that brings a new face, subtle design tweaks and new tech inside.
• The model’s characteristic accent-colored C-pillar is out of the picture.
• Technical specifications will be revealed in March, but they’re expected to be mostly unchanged from the current model.

The Kia Niro is getting a facelift. The updated crossover, which is currently available with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains, was revealed in its home market of South Korea late last night.

The redesigned crossover has a revamped front fascia that aligns with the automaker’s “Opposites United” design language that has been used throughout the lineup, from the EV3 to the EV9. At the rear, the refreshed Niro has a new set of smoked taillamps that incorporate a slim lighting signature.

It looks sleeker and more modern, but the Niro’s signature accent-colored C–pillar is now the same color as the rest of the body, and it’s also slimmer than before. As a result, the transition between the rear doors and the C-pillar is less obvious.

Inside, the revamped Kia Niro is largely the same as before, with one big exception. The outgoing model’s dual-screen setup has been updated with the brand’s latest dual 12.3-inch setup that appears to run Hyundai Motor Group’s new infotainment system. The dashboard is also shaped differently to accommodate the new screen setup, and there’s a new steering wheel.

A multitude of physical buttons is still there, which is great news for anyone who hates taking their eyes off the road to do simple tasks like adjusting the volume. Kia’s interior design chief recently said that the company is not giving up on buttons, even as it integrates more features in its new cars.

“There are certain functions you need to find straight away, and you don’t want to mess up, so we keep them physical,” said Jochen Paesen, Kia’s interior design chief, in an interview with Autocar.

The updated Kia Niro is expected to go on sale as a 2027 model in the United States. That said, we don’t know the technical details yet, with Kia scheduling that reveal for March. Currently, the Niro is available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV. The hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter gas engine making 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The PHEV combines a 1.6-liter gas engine with an electric motor and an 11.1-kilowatt-hour battery to make a total of 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, while the all-electric range is rated at 33 miles.

The Kia Niro EV, meanwhile, offers up to 253 miles of all-electric range. It’s powered by a single, front-mounted motor that makes 201 hp and 188 lb-ft, while the high-voltage battery can store 64.8 kWh of energy.

When it first went on sale in the United States in 2022, the Niro was among the most affordable EVs in the country. Now, however, the Niro EV’s appeal is far from what it used to be. Blame its $41,045 starting price and outdated charging specs, which make it a hard sell in today’s market, where the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf cost $10,000 less.