2020 Kia Niro PHEV: The pragmatic performer

The 2020 Kia Niro is offered as a hybrid, a full EV or, like this tester, a plug-in hybrid.

An 8.9-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion polymer battery stores enough electrons for 26 miles of electric driving range.

A 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine and a 44.5-kilowatt electric motor working together make 139 horsepower and a healthy 195 pound-feet of torque.

On a Level 2 home charger, the Niro PHEV will fill its battery in about 2.5 hours.

For 2020 the Niro gets a small mid-cycle refresh, with a new front fascia with a redesigned grille and LED running lights.

The rear lighting also gets an update and there's a new Horizon Blue color on offer, too.

The Niro PHEV gets 46 miles per gallon combined or 105 MPGe when you use the maximum electric and gas efficiency.

The Niro is at home in the city, seamlessly switching between pure EV and hybrid modes.

The Niro's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems keep the car in the center of its lane, sweeping through turns with no ping-ponging or sudden movements.

The 2020 Kia Niro PHEV in EX Premium trim pictured here comes in at 37,790 including $1,120 for destination.

Keep scrolling for more photos of this practical PHEV.