2018 Kia Niro — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2018 Kia Niro is an estate/wagon powered by a 1.6L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 59 mpg (UK) / 49 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 55–59 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Kia Niro workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2017 Kia Niro: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 59 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 1.6L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM6) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Estate/Wagon |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 101 cu ft (2,860 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 22 cu ft (623 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 59 combined / 61 urban / 55 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 49 combined / 51 city / 46 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 114 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 10 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $1,350 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2018 Kia Niro, all with the 1.6L 4-cyl engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 46 to 49 mpg (US), or 55 to 59 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl (Hybrid) | Automatic (AM6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 59 | 49 (51/46) | 114 | $1,350 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl (Plug-in Hybrid) | Automatic (AM6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 55 | 46 (48/44) | 56 | $1,450 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 101 cubic feet (about 2,860 litres) and luggage volume at 22 cubic feet (about 623 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2018 Kia Niro
Running Costs: 2018 Kia Niro
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2018 Kia Niro at 59 mpg combined, expect roughly 616 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $1,350 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2018 Kia Niro Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Kia Niro as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Niro. The most-reported areas are Power train (25), Engine (21), Electrical system (20). Complaints include 6 reported crashes, 4 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 64 complaints across the 10 Kia Niro model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2018 Kia Niro
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Transmission & drivetrain (25 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Engine (21 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Electrical system (20 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Kia Niro compare to similar estate/wagons? For context, estate/wagons in our database average around 34 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 59 mpg figure is 25 mpg better than that average. Its 114 g/km CO₂ figure is 89 g/km lower than the 203 g/km average for estate/wagons on this site. This comparison is based on 194 estate/wagons in our dataset.
Kia models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2018 Kia Niro's 59 mpg is 25 mpg above that make average. Its 114 g/km CO₂ figure is 93 g/km lower than the 207 g/km Kia average.
Of the 10 Kia Niro model years we cover, the 2018 is the most economical on its best configuration (59 mpg UK combined). See every Kia Niro year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2018 Kia Niro
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 Kia Niro have?
It's fitted with a 1.6L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (am6) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Kia Niro?
The most efficient configuration returns around 59 mpg (UK) combined, or 49 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 55 to 59 mpg.
How much does the 2018 Kia Niro cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $1,350 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2018 Kia Niro have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Kia Niro as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2018 Kia Niro?
Among the 73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Power train (25 complaints), Engine (21 complaints), Electrical system (20 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2018 Kia Niro have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 101 cubic feet (about 2,860 litres) and luggage volume at 22 cubic feet (about 623 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.
Is the Kia Niro's fuel economy good for an estate/wagon?
Yes — it returns around 59 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 34 mpg among the estate/wagons we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.