[bikehike48]

Wondering if anybody has installed this on a '23 HEV yet. If so how did it fit and how extensive were the modifications? I'm trying to decide between roof rack and hitch mount.

I really like my Niro so far. Very comfortable and great gas mileage.

 

[Gerd_NL]

Please check if the assistance systems like ACC will work with this. In my German forum is a great discussion about this, because using a hitch will switch off all assistance systyems! Please try it out, because also the dealers have no knowledge about this!

(Keine Assistenzsysteme bei Nutzung der Anhängerkupplung - Kia Niro Forum)

 

[Techy]

Wondering if anybody has installed this on a '23 HEV yet. If so how did it fit and how extensive were the modifications? I'm trying to decide between roof rack and hitch mount.

I really like my Niro so far. Very comfortable and great gas mileage.

There was a detailed installation thread on this forum from someone that did install a hitch even though the hitch companies had not produced 1 specifically for the 2023 model. The greatest issue is the evap canister that is restricting access to the frame rail on the rear driver's side. I cannot find that thread for you.
I also note that U-Haul has a listing for trailer hitch for a 2023 Niro but not sure about accuracy.

 

[blue]

etrailer.com lists a Curt hitch for the 2023 Niro and a link to installation instructions.

 

[Techy]

etrailer.com lists a Curt hitch for the 2023 Niro and a link to installation instructions.

Yes, I viewed that actual link but it did not address the evap canister issue and therefore, I am questioning the validity of the hitch. It certainly is a different hitch number than than the 2022 model so that is a good sign. I want to see an actual video of installation on YouTube before I purchase the hitch for my upcoming 2023 (if it ever arrives)

 

[adhack]

While I already have a nice hitch mounted bike rack for another car, I'm planning on going with a roof rack for my 2023 Niro. I'm looking to install roof rails soon so I can use our cargo box and eventually get a new roof mounted bike rack. I'd need a 2” receiver to use my current rack and I kind of feel like it would be way too big for this car anyway.

Here’s another thread that might be helpful:

Roof rack Luggage system

I have a 2023 Niro EX Touring and am looking into adding cross rails and luggage container to the roof rails (think THULE type of system). I looked at Kia website for such accessories but it was not really helpful. If you've added cross rails and cargo container, I would welcome any...

www.kianiroforum.com

 

[blue]

Yes, I viewed that actual link but it did not address the evap canister issue and therefore, I am questioning the validity of the hitch. It certainly is a different hitch number than than the 2022 model so that is a good sign. I want to see an actual video of installation on YouTube before I purchase the hitch for my upcoming 2023 (if it ever arrives)

The instructions say to lower the canister and then to reinstall it later, but I can't see that in their photos. The videos for the hitch for the previous generation Niro were very good so hopefully they will make one for the 2023.

 

[Techy]

The instructions say to lower the canister and then to reinstall it later, but I can't see that in their photos. The videos for the hitch for the previous generation Niro were very good so hopefully they will make one for the 2023.

I agree that previous videos are very good and I expect the same will happen for 2023 models.
By the time I get my 2023 PHEV the installation should be well established and posted on YouTube

 

[adhack]

I agree that previous videos are very good and I expect the same will happen for 2023 models.
By the time I get my 2023 PHEV the installation should be well established and posted on YouTube

Is inventory low in your area? There are a bunch available near me. Which car are you waiting/looking for?

 

[Techy]

Is inventory low in your area? There are a bunch available near me. Which car are you waiting/looking for?

I am in Canada and the Kia website just showed the 2023 Niro as of Jan 16
They are only taking pre-orders with no time frame given. I will probably be lucky if I get 1 by the end of the year.
I want the PHEV and in Canada, they are only offering the EX trim which is not what I want but have no choice.
There are absolutely no Niros in transit to Canada at this time. Seltos are just starting to arrive. The Sportage HEV/PHEV is not going to fare any better than the Niro

 

[adhack]

Dang, that’s frustrating. Sorry, I forget to appreciate how spoiled we are in here the states. That said, inventory shows zero Sportage and Sorento PHEV’s within 100+ miles. And the Niro SX availability looks to be dwindling. I’ll be curious if/when the next round deliveries arrive.

I was eyeballing the Sportage, but I’m very happy with the Nero so far.

 

[bikehike48]

Hmmm... after reading thru some threads and realizing that the installation isn't really straight forward I'm leaning towards going with a roof rack. The roof rails seem pretty nice on the Niro. I installed a hitch and bike rack on my girlfriend's CR-V and that was very straight forward. Only took about 30 mins. to get it installed. Thanks for the input.

 

[adhack]

Let us know what you end up doing and how the instal goes, hitch or roof. I’ll try do the same.

 

[bikehike48]

Update: Decided to go with roof rack. Finally got everything on order. I went with Yakima Sightline and Jetstream bars. The clips required for mounting are about 3 weeks out. Not sure if the Thule setup for a 2022 will work for a 2023. The Thule website doesn't show a 2023 yet, However Yakima does. The 50" black Jetstream bars say out of stock but the retailer said he should have a new shipment soon.

SightLine System

Roof rack system for vehicles with flush-mounted side rails. Features pitch adjustments for the perfect fit on rounded roof-lines and attaches to the vehicle with vehicle-specific SightClips. Works with all Yakima Crossbars. (RoundBar Requires RoundBar SL Adapter and HD Bar requires HD SL Adapter)

yakima.com

 

[vangone]

Update: Decided to go with roof rack. Finally got everything on order. I went with Yakima Sightline and Jetstream bars. The clips required for mounting are about 3 weeks out. Not sure if the Thule setup for a 2022 will work for a 2023. The Thule website doesn't show a 2023 yet, However Yakima does. The 50" black Jetstream bars say out of stock but the retailer said he should have a new shipment soon.

SightLine System

Roof rack system for vehicles with flush-mounted side rails. Features pitch adjustments for the perfect fit on rounded roof-lines and attaches to the vehicle with vehicle-specific SightClips. Works with all Yakima Crossbars. (RoundBar Requires RoundBar SL Adapter and HD Bar requires HD SL Adapter)

yakima.com

I think the Thule website does list some products that work with the 2023 Niros. This KiaNiroforum post notes that the feet/fit kits that work on the 2022 and previous Niros will work on the 2023. That being said when I gathered the items for the Thule rack for my 2022 Niro, I had a heck of a time locating the vehicle specific fit kits as well as some feet. Ended up purchasing a fit kit and feet from a seller in Great Britain on Amazon--the numbers were slightly different than the US ones. I found the relevant numbers on the Thule website--I had to change from the US to United Kingdom as the country.

The nice thing with the Thule system (as well as the Yakima) is that compatible cross bars are available second hand on Craigsllist or Offerup. Sometimes you can score a bargain on eBay, but if the seller is not close, the shipping will eat away at any savings. Can also get the feet from CL, offer up, or ebay as well. Just make sure that the feet are the model number that you need. Still have to buy the fit kit but there are few folks selling them specific for the Niro on CL, Offerup or ebay.