The Hybrid Crossover That Offers The Lowest Cost Per Mile

If you’re in the market for a cost-effective vehicle, there is no need to look any further because countless hybrid models will do just that. Hybrids (HEVs) exist to offer better fuel economies and ranges than their non-electric counterparts (ICE). Many car brands, like Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, and more, are producing some of the most enticing vehicles that just so happen to house hybrid powertrains, but the real show-stoppers are the SUVs. Back in the day, SUVs weren’t the most efficient vehicles on the road, but over the last five years, many rival some mainstream sedans.

So, you know there are efficient hybrid SUVs on the market, but what makes some of these platforms so cost-effective? Well, for starters, many of them come with affordable price tags that don’t even go above $30,000. That’s practically the cherry on top and only the tip of the iceberg, with some hybrid SUVs costing little to nothing regarding fuel costs such as driving expenditures and filling the tank. One hybrid crossover fits the bill in every category, and it seems too good to be true with how much of a steal this SUV is.

The Kia Nia Niro Costs $1.61 To Drive 25 Miles

That’s $0.064 Per Mile

Jumping straight into fuel savings, the 2025 Kia Niro is the most cost-effective hybrid crossover on the market. Over five years, you can expect to save $3,750 in overall fuel costs. That might not seem straightforward or easy to understand, because how did one conclude that the savings would sit in that range? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the organization that keeps track of and conducts all ratings of vehicles, such as ranges, fuel economy, emissions, and many more. The EPA compares all 2025 models to the average 2024 vehicle with a combined fuel economy of 28 MPG. So, when you compare that generic “made-up” model to the 2025 Niro, the Korean hybrid crossover saves $3,750 in five years compared to the average car.

2025 Kia Niro Fuel Savings

Other fuel costs on the 2025 Niro were the annual fuel cost, which is expected to be $950. You can expect to spend around $1.61 every 25 miles, which equates to $0.064 per mile while driving the Niro Hybrid. Lastly, this hybrid SUV utilizes an 11.1-gallon gas tank, which costs roughly $35 to fill from empty to full.

The 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid Provides An Overall 49 MPG

The main reason the 2025 Kia Niro is the most fuel-saving hybrid SUV is due to its efficiency. You can’t simply save on fuel costs without backing it up with top-notch fuel economies. The 2025 Kia Niro provides 53 MPG in the city, 45 MPG on the highway, and 49 MPG combined. That’s quite impressive, and its overall driving range doesn’t get skimped out either, with its maximum of 544 miles. So, the 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid offers low driving costs, above-average fuel savings, and a competitive fuel economy and range. The breakdown isn’t over just yet, and the next best area to explore is to see how this Korean Hybrid SUV stacks up against some of its competition.

2025 Kia Niro Fuel Economy

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The Kia Niro Saves You The Most Out Of All Hybrid Crossovers

Like many things in the world, the automotive industry is one of the most competitive fields. If you go even further and just look at the hybrid sector, you’ll see that manufacturers constantly go back and forth with each other, but it shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing. Thanks to all the successful hybrids that keep changing the norms and constantly improving, rivaling brands follow in the same footsteps and continuously evolve. It seems like a never-ending cycle where one car brand releases a more affordable and efficient model, leading to the next brand to one-up them and rinse and repeat. As of today, the 2025 Kia Niro is the most efficient hybrid crossover and the most cost-effective. The real question is: how far off are the competitors?

One quick note worth mentioning is that the EPA has yet to review many 2025 models. The good news is that the competition for the Kia Niro remains unchanged, but that doesn’t mean that some of its fuel economies, ranges, or fuel costs could change on the 2025 models. To provide the most accurate information, some of the mainstream hybrid SUVs below will be compared in their 2024 form, but that doesn’t mean that the 2025 model will do worse or better or stay the same.

Hybrid SUVs And Their Fuel Savings

Toyota Hybrids

Toyota is one of the best car brands to tackle efficiency and affordability on hybrid platforms. Really, Toyota is arguably the best car brand out right now when it comes to hybrids. The Japanese automotive manufacturer offers the most hybrids out of all manufacturers and even offers more HEVs than non-electric vehicles. The RAV4 Hybrid was their best-selling hybrid in 2024, selling 208,356 units. This iconic hybrid is expected to save you $2,500 after five years in fuel costs, which is $1,250 less than the Kia Niro.

One of Toyota’s newer hybrids, the Corolla Cross, is similar in size to the Niro, with both being subcompact crossover SUVs. Typically, the smaller the size, the more efficient a vehicle can be. The 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid does well in savings but falls short by $750 compared to the Niro, saving you a total of $3,000.

Hyundai Hybrids

Hyundai is the other car brand that’s making good earnings in the hybrid industry. This Korean brand rivals Kia the most and offers multiple hybrid SUVs and sedans that even give some of Toyota’s models a run for their money. The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Blue FWD is projected to save you $2,250 in fuel after five years. This compact crossover SUV is Hyundai’s smallest hybrid SUV, which saves you the most on fuel costs in its lineup. The 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid FWD is significantly larger in size, and even offers up to three rows of seating, but still does well in fuel costs, saving you $2,000 after five years.

Other Hybrids

Other brands dabble in the hybrid industry, offering one or two models within its lineup. One of the more mainstream models is the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid FWD, which also does a great job of saving on fuel over five years, which is $2,500. An underrated hybrid SUV is an American one, the 2025 Ford Escape Hybrid FWD, and matches the CR-V Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid in fuel savings, with its 5-year $2,500 fuel cost savings.

While the three don’t come close to the Kia Niro, it’s worth mentioning how impressive they are because they are their closest rivals, leading to the point of never-ending cycle of “competition.” Lastly, the Hybrid SUV that shares second place with the Corolla Cross Hybrid is, ironically, another Kia Hybrid: the 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid FWD. Rather than a subcompact crossover SUV, the Sportage Hybrid is classified as a compact crossover SUV, meaning it goes a bit up in size and is expected to save you $3,000 in fuel costs over five years.

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The Kia Niro Is Offered In Five Unique Trims

While the fuel cost breakdowns are over, now is the time to see what the Kia Niro has to offer. Kia offers this efficient hybrid crossover in five trims, with MSRPs ranging from $26,990 to $35,390. The LX is the base model and the starting block for the higher models. It’s listed at $26,990 and will house all the base features. The next step up is the EX, which is listed at $29,790 and receives numerous upgrades centered around comfort and technology.

The EX Touring houses the features of the EX with additional exterior accents and a more stylish interior, which costs $32,090. The second to last trim is the SX, which is offered at $32,990, comes close to all the upgraded features but is a prime candidate for those wanting all the upgraded tech, comfort, and convenience. Lastly, the SX Touring is the trim with all the bells, whistles, and every added feature available. It’s still offered at an affordable price, with Kia listing it at $35,390.

2025 Kia Niro Trims And Prices

Delivering 139 Horsepower

The 2025 Kia Niro is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine, delivering 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. One of the unique features of this hybrid SUV is its transmission, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. The reason it’s unique is that you don’t see many of these setups on hybrid vehicles and, most of the time, you’ll see various high-end sports cars utilizing them. Kia only offers the Niro in a front-wheel drive setup and isn’t rated for towing.

2025 Kia Niro Performance Specifications

The Hybrid Crossover That’s Affordable And Cost-Effective

The 2025 Kia Niro doesn’t need a compelling case for why it’s worthy of being picked up and bought. This affordable hybrid SUV is competitive in price, efficiency, and fuel costs. Compared to the most successful hybrids on the market, the Niro comes out on top as the most cost-effective hybrid SUV you can buy today. It doesn’t get much better than that and seems like a solid SUV that will last a lifetime.