Been a Toyota person for 20 years, and now it’s time to replace an old Prius. Looking at the Niro, which seems close to the Prius but sits a bit higher. I like the look of the Niro more, and with 2025s coming soon, I could get a good deal. But I’m hesitating because I’m worried about reliability after years of no issues with Toyota. Anyone else been in this spot? Is the Niro worth it?
I really like my Niro. I’ve had it for about 2 years and put on around 32k miles. No big problems—just regular maintenance and one tire issue.
Kel said:
I really like my Niro. I’ve had it for about 2 years and put on around 32k miles. No big problems—just regular maintenance and one tire issue.
Same here—had a flat tire right before a road trip. Then, later, ran over a screw on my way to a festival. Bad luck but nothing serious with the car itself.
Honestly, the Niro might not be as dependable as a Prius, but it makes up for it with the price and features. And the 10-year powertrain warranty helps. Toyota’s hybrid tech is ahead, but the Niro has a lot going for it, too. Just a few things to consider:
- 6-speed twin-clutch transmission
- Check insurance rates, especially because of Kia theft issues
- Look up crash test ratings
If you need more ground clearance, maybe look into the Corolla Cross Hybrid. It’s got AWD too. But personally, I love the Niro’s vibe.
@Stevie
Good point about insurance, I’ll definitely check that. Any idea why there aren’t crash test ratings yet?
Lyle said:
@Stevie
Good point about insurance, I’ll definitely check that. Any idea why there aren’t crash test ratings yet?
My insurance went up a little, but that’s normal when getting a more expensive car. Previous generation Niros passed all crash tests, and the new design didn’t change much structurally. I also looked at the new Prius, but it felt too low, and the rear view was limited. So far, my Niro’s been great, especially for longer trips.
@Denny
Thanks, that’s really helpful. I don’t want anything worse than my current Prius for rear visibility.
Lyle said:
@Stevie
Good point about insurance, I’ll definitely check that. Any idea why there aren’t crash test ratings yet?
My rate with Progressive only went up by $1 compared to my Corolla Hybrid.
@Kingsley
Good to know! We’re with USAA, so I’ll check with them too.
Lyle said:
@Stevie
Good point about insurance, I’ll definitely check that. Any idea why there aren’t crash test ratings yet?
Glad to help!
@Stevie
Why not just get a used Prius? If you get one from 2023 with low miles, it’ll still be covered under warranty, especially on the battery.
I drive a 2023 Niro EV daily and love it. Recently rented a Toyota with CVT while traveling, and it just didn’t compare. If you haven’t test-driven the Niro yet, definitely do it—it might help you decide.
@Keaton
I have the hybrid, and the dual clutch can be a pain. I’m thinking of switching to a Corolla Hybrid because the CVT in Toyota is way smoother. Overtaking is also easier in the Toyota.
mae said:
@Keaton
I have the hybrid, and the dual clutch can be a pain. I’m thinking of switching to a Corolla Hybrid because the CVT in Toyota is way smoother. Overtaking is also easier in the Toyota.
Interesting! My Niro shifts pretty smoothly, so maybe it’s a different experience in the PHEV model.
@Denny
Maybe! Mine isn’t terrible, just not as smooth as I’d like.
The Niro definitely has more room in the back, which is nice. We didn’t love the low seating in the new Prius.
Storm said:
The Niro definitely has more room in the back, which is nice. We didn’t love the low seating in the new Prius.
Yeah, the legroom in the Niro is a big plus.
Got a 2018 Niro PHEV and still love it. Checked out the RAV4 when I was looking, but the Niro was just more comfortable. It’s still giving me about 53 mpg on average, and no major issues so far.
maverick said:
Got a 2018 Niro PHEV and still love it. Checked out the RAV4 when I was looking, but the Niro was just more comfortable. It’s still giving me about 53 mpg on average, and no major issues so far.
Thanks for sharing! Always good to hear long-term experiences.
I’ve had a few Toyotas, but I got a Niro last year and a Hyundai Ioniq recently. Gotta say, the Kia/Hyundai dealership experience has been disappointing. The Niro had HVAC issues, and they were slow to fix it. After a rough experience, I’m considering going back to Toyota next time.