When shopping for a , it’s always a good idea to do your research. There is a wealth of information on which vehicles have the best fuel economy, which ones can go off the road and which ones to avoid altogether. JD Power recently published an article ranking from best to worst, and the two vehicles in last place are a bit of a shock.
The Honda HR-V and Kia Niro are tied for worst small SUV of 2023
In a list that contained 16 small SUVs, the Kia Niro and Honda HR-V finished last. Both finished in eighth place and received a score of 75 in the poll.
, However. These include low-quality paint, a throttle that tends to jerk or slow down at the worst possible times, and window seals that are coming loose.
As for the Kia Niro, these models have recently become a TikTok trend, and not a good one. Several Niros have been . Kia is in the process of rolling out resources intended to stop this, but for owners who have had their Niro stolen, it’s too little, too late.
Are these really the worst small SUVs of 2023?
Despite low ratings from JD Power reviewers, there’s actually a lot to love about the Honda HR-V and Kia Niro.
The 2023 HR-V has a very affordable MSRP of $23,650-$28,950. The in-line 4-cylinder engine generates 158 hp and 138 Nm. The HR-V gets 26 city, 32 highway and 28 kilometers overall on fuel.
However, there isn’t much technology on board. You’ll get safety features like lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and post-collision safety system, and that’s about it. However, for the price, this is a steal.
The Kia Niro costs more, with an MSRP range of $26,490-$34,790. It is a hybrid equipped with a 1.6-litre inline 4-cylinder engine. The Niro’s engine can produce 139hp and 195Nm of torque. The gearbox is a 6-speed automated manual.
Because it’s a hybrid, it gets substantial gas mileage. Gets an EPA 53/54 city/highway. Range in miles is 588.3/599.4 miles.
There are also more safety features on the Niro, such as blind-spot and lane-departure warnings, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert, and pre- and post-collision safety systems.
For the price, these vehicles are hard to beat. There are some tough spots to keep an eye on, but overall, the Kia Niro and Honda HR-V are solid picks.
