How bad is the piano black trim on the new Niro?

Kia Models Forum Kia Niro
1

I’m thinking about getting a new Niro, but after checking out the EV model at a car show today, there’s one issue with the interior I’m concerned about: the piano black trim covering the console and part of the door panel.

I’ve had this trim in a past car, and it was a nightmare with fingerprints and scratches. I’m wondering if anyone has tips on keeping it clean and avoiding scratches, or if the trim on this model is better quality. Also, does the black trim appear on all trim levels, or just some?

2

I have a '24 EX and just keep a microfiber cloth in the car to wipe everything down regularly. The worst area for smudges is the console screen since I always touch it for navigation. I give it a quick wipe every time I get in the car. It only takes a few seconds and works great.

3

@Gracie
Got it, I think part of the scratching issue I had before was from using a dirty cloth to wipe off fingerprints.

4

I have a 2024 SX, and my first issue was how much of a fingerprint magnet it was. I looked into piano black ‘deletes,’ which are basically vinyl wraps. The console was the worst, but everything else was manageable. I ended up buying a cover from a Chinese seller on eBay that has a gray wood grain finish. It covers 90% of the console, and now I don’t see the fingerprints or dust anymore. They also offer a carbon fiber pattern for the hybrid and EV models.

5

@Lauren
That sounds like exactly what I need! Was it tough to remove the original console cover?

6

CathyKia said:
@Lauren
That sounds like exactly what I need! Was it tough to remove the original console cover?

I believe you just put the vinyl wrap over the piano black surface.

7

CathyKia said:
@Lauren
That sounds like exactly what I need! Was it tough to remove the original console cover?

Here’s the link for the console cover.

It shows what it looks like.

8
9

@quinnlebron
Wow, that looks great! Was that a trim piece replacement, or a vinyl wrap like others have suggested?

10

CathyKia said:
@quinnlebron
Wow, that looks great! Was that a trim piece replacement, or a vinyl wrap like others have suggested?

It’s a thin plastic cover with 3M double-sided tape on the back. You just clean the shiny black surface and stick the plastic cover on top. I have a version with gray wood grain, and it looks fantastic.

11

@lorriebosche
That looks amazing. Do you still have a link for it, or is it easy to find on eBay like the other cover?

12

CathyKia said:
@lorriebosche
That looks amazing. Do you still have a link for it, or is it easy to find on eBay like the other cover?

You can search on eBay or Amazon for ‘kia niro 2023 wood grain,’ and you’ll find it.

13

CathyKia said:
@quinnlebron
Wow, that looks great! Was that a trim piece replacement, or a vinyl wrap like others have suggested?

It’s a hard ABS cover that sticks on. I got it for $45 on Amazon. Check it out here.

14

I have a 2025 SX, and like others have said, a microfiber cloth is a quick and easy fix. I’ll be adding a matte wrap once the weather warms up, but so far, it’s not too bad.

15

Usually, it’s not too bad, but sometimes the sun hits it just right, and it gets really annoying. That doesn’t happen often for me, though.

16

maryschultz said:
Usually, it’s not too bad, but sometimes the sun hits it just right, and it gets really annoying. That doesn’t happen often for me, though.

I covered my center console because of the sun reflections. I’m happy with how it turned out.

17

I have a 2023 PHEV. It’s too shiny for me because I have photophobia, so I covered the console with matte vinyl (metallic purple) and put a matte screen protector on the screen. I still keep a microfiber cloth in the car, but it’s more for wiping my sunglasses than the car.

18

At certain times of the year, it can be blinding. But right now, with the sun low in winter, I don’t notice it. I keep a microfiber cloth in the center console to wipe it down.

19

Thank you for all the replies! It’s reassuring to know that there are options to cover or replace the console trim if I decide to go that route. I’ll also do my best to keep it clean in the meantime. I really appreciate the help!

20

For me, the glare from the speaker area in the front middle center of the dashboard is worse on sunny days. I find that more annoying than the piano black trim.