Last updated August 4, 2026
The Kia Niro lineup starts with the efficiency-first FE and LX. EX, LXS, and LXS Special Edition add varying degrees of everyday comfort and convenience, while the Touring-related trims generally bring a sunroof, larger wheels, and a dressier look. The Plug-in Hybrid trim level overlaps familiar names such as LX, LXS, EX, EX Premium, and SX Touring, so its equipment ranges from basic to premium; Kia no longer sold a separate Niro Plug-in Hybrid in the U.S. for 2026. At the upper end, SX and SX Touring are the premium trims, while EX Premium, EX Touring, S Touring, Touring, and Touring Special Edition form a broader historical comfort-and-style branch.
The Base Model trim level — FE and LX — is the straightforward, efficiency-first Niro with the hybrid essentials and an easy-to-use cabin.
Best for: Shoppers who want the Niro’s fuel-saving character and core daily-use features without paying for dressier extras.
Highlights
The Mid-Level trim level — EX, LXS, and LXS Special Edition — is the practical comfort step, with equipment ranging from smart-key convenience to heated seats and a larger navigation screen.
Best for: Daily drivers who value added seat comfort, easier entry and starting, and useful cabin technology.
Highlights
Adds more everyday convenience than the Base Model, led by smart-key access, upgraded cabin materials, and, on better-equipped members, heated seats and a power driver’s seat.
29 in stockThe Plug-in Hybrid trim level — EX, EX Premium, LX, LXS, and SX Touring — is an overlapping group that spans value, comfort, and premium Niro identities rather than one consistent equipment tier.
Best for: Used-car shoppers comparing electrified Niros who are willing to check the exact model year, powertrain, and member trim instead of relying on the trim name alone.
Highlights
This is not a simple equipment step above Mid-Level. Its overlapping member trims range from the basic LX and LXS to comfort-focused EX and EX Premium and the dressier SX Touring.
94 in stock
The Top Tier trim level — SX and SX Touring — is the premium Niro, focused on richer comfort and convenience rather than more power or off-road ability.
Best for: Shoppers who want the efficient Niro layout with upscale seating, audio, and parking conveniences.
Highlights
Narrows the lineup to the premium SX formula, adding a sunroof, premium audio, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and parking sensors; SX Touring also brings 18-inch wheels and LED projector headlights.
6 in stock
The Premium Comfort trim level — EX Premium, EX Touring, S Touring, Touring, and Touring Special Edition — is the historical comfort-and-style branch, known for a sunroof, larger wheels, and a more polished cabin.
Best for: Shoppers who want a dressier Niro with useful comfort and technology upgrades, but do not necessarily need every SX feature.
Highlights
This is not a straight step above Top Tier. It broadens the premium theme with Touring styling, larger wheels, a sunroof, and upgraded cabin technology, while equipment varies more by member trim and year.
17 in stock| Feature | Top Tier | Mid-Level | Base Model | Plug-in Hybrid | Premium Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Includes | SX, SX Touring6 in stock | EX, LXS, LXS Special Edition29 in stock | FE, LX60 in stock | EX, EX Premium, LX, LXS, SX Touring94 in stock | EX Premium, EX Touring, S Touring, Touring, Touring Special Edition17 in stock |
| Main identity | Premium comfort and tech | Everyday comfort | Efficiency-first value | Overlapping electrified group | Touring style and comfort |
| Recognizable member trims | SX, SX Touring | EX, LXS, LXS Special Edition | FE, LX | LX, LXS, EX, EX Premium, SX Touring | EX Premium and Touring variants |
| Front-seat comfort | Heated and ventilated | Heated on EX-oriented versions | Core seating | Varies from basic to heated and ventilated | Heated; some ventilated |
| Sunroof | Standard at this level | LXS Special Edition | Not a defining feature | Upper members | Signature feature |
| Wheel and appearance focus | SX Touring adds 18-inch wheels and LED headlights | Mostly practical; Special Edition dresses it up | Simple, efficiency-focused | SX Touring adds 18-inch wheels | 18-inch Touring look |
| Premium audio | Harman Kardon | Not a defining feature | Not a defining feature | Upper members | Selected upper members |
| Parking help | Front and rear sensors | Rear sensors on LXS Special Edition | Core safety aids | Front and rear sensors on SX Touring | Varies by member and year |
In recent years, EX adds the everyday upgrades most shoppers notice: a 10.25-inch navigation screen, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, wireless phone charging, push-button start, and adaptive cruise control.
On second-generation hybrids, SX makes the Niro more upscale with synthetic leather seating, ventilated front seats, a sunroof, premium audio, a heated steering wheel, phone-based key access, and front and rear parking sensors.
In newer hybrid lineups, SX Touring is mainly the dressier version of SX. It keeps SX’s premium comfort features and adds 18-inch wheels and LED projector headlights for a more polished exterior look.
On early first-generation hybrids, FE was the efficiency-first starting trim. It carried a 50-mpg combined rating and included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, and a folding rear seat.
On first-generation-era lineups, LXS adds convenience and safety equipment over LX, including a smart key, push-button and remote start, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter.
Near the end of the first generation, LXS Special Edition built on LXS with a sunroof, a 10-way power driver’s seat, upgraded cloth-and-leather seat trim, and rear parking sensors.
On second-generation hybrid lineups that offered it, EX Touring added a sunroof, 18-inch wheels, and dressier exterior trim to the EX equipment. It focused on comfort and appearance rather than extra power.
In first-generation lineups that offered both, Touring emphasized larger wheels, a sunroof, a power driver’s seat, and adaptive cruise control. Touring Special Edition shifted toward cabin tech with a larger navigation screen, premium audio, upgraded seat trim, and highway assistance.
On first-generation plug-in-hybrid examples, EX Premium is the upper comfort trim. Its key upgrades include a sunroof, larger navigation screen, premium audio, upgraded seat material, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
On pre-refresh first-generation hybrids, S Touring replaced the Graphite Edition. It paired a darker, sportier appearance with navigation, premium audio, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and 18-inch wheels.
LX is the straightforward pick in newer lineups. It keeps the hybrid system, core safety aids, dual-zone climate control, and phone-friendly infotainment. On early first-generation cars, FE filled a similar efficiency-first role.
EX is the practical middle ground in recent lineups. It adds heated seats, a power driver’s seat, the larger navigation screen, wireless phone charging, remote start, and adaptive cruise control without moving to the more upscale SX equipment.
In newer hybrid lineups, EX has heated front seats, while SX and SX Touring add ventilation. On older first-generation plug-in hybrids, EX Premium also paired heated and ventilated front seats.
No. Kia has used EX on both the regular hybrid and the plug-in hybrid, so the trim badge alone does not identify the powertrain. Check the vehicle’s powertrain description and exterior badging when comparing used examples.