2020 KIA Niro LX LXS

The Niro is Kia's compact crossover, a tall wagon-like SUV that's easy to park and even easier to live with. It drives with a light, nimble feel that makes city driving a breeze, though the steering is a bit numb on the highway. Inside, the cabin is roomy for four adults, and the rear seats fold flat to swallow a surprising amount of cargo. Standard tech includes an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a full suite of driver assists. The LX LXS is the base Niro, so you skip the bigger infotainment screen and heated seats of the Touring, but you keep the same hybrid drivetrain and a lower price. Under the hood is a hybrid 1.6L I4 hybrid with 104 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic and two-wheel drive, and it returns 49 mpg combined. What sets this trim apart is its focus on efficiency over flash, so you get steel wheels and cloth seats, which keeps the weight down and the fuel economy up.