Nobody really loved it: as of 2016, the previous Kia Niro was one of those cars that are not bought to be pampered, but to be used. Practical family type, next to Ceed and recently refurbished Sportage, mainstay of local Kia sales. But not the eye-catching one that made our hearts melt. The new Niro wants to change that from autumn by introducing more style.
According to the data, the Hyundai subsidiary only has electric drives. As before with the Niro hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric drive, which recently accounted for half of sales in Europe and is called the Niro EV. “In terms of sales, we have the highest percentage of electric vehicles in Europe, behind Tesla and in front of VW,” emphasizes Kia Europe marketing director David Hilbert (44).
This is new to Niro
Visually, the Kia dares something. The all-new Niro is just as eye-catching as the newly revamped Sportage – it’s really something. In terms of marketing: “We wanted to give it more personality,” says Hilbert. More SUV in the face – but the format remains almost the same, only a modest 4.42 meters and 2.5 centimeters longer. Good this way!
We like it very much
The modern double-screen interior convinces with a clear overview and easy operation. Clever: The small horizontal bar with virtual “buttons” under the infotainment system changes at the touch of a finger from air conditioning control to large selector buttons for radio and company – so the tactile strips are cool, almost like “real” buttons. There is also a head-up display for looking ahead.
Kia Niro model range
Kia Niro HEV – full hybrid
to lead 1.6 R4 gasoline engine + electric motor, 141 hp (104 kW), 144 + 170 Nm, 6-speed automatic DKG, front-wheel drive, 1.3 kWh battery course 0-100 km / h 10.4 sec, 165 km / h peak. Dimensions length / width / height 4.42 / 1.83 / 1.55 m, 1474 kg, 451-1445 l environment WLTP 4.7 l / 100 km, 107 g / km CO2Energy A Price £ from 33’250 Fr.
Kia Niro PHEV – plug-in hybrid
to lead 1.6 R4 gasoline engine + electric motor, 183 hp (134 kW), 144 + 203 Nm, 6-speed automatic DKG, front-wheel drive, battery 11.1 kWh, AC 3.3 kW course 0-100km / h 9.6s, maximum speed 168km / h, electric range 59km Dimensions length / width / height 4.42 / 1.83 / 1.56 m, 1594 kg, 348-1342 l environment WLTP 1.0 l + 14 kWh / 100 km, 23 g / km CO2Energy A Price £ from 38’950 Fr.
Kia Niro – electric
to lead Electric motor, 204 hp (150 kW), 255 Nm, 1-speed automatic, front-wheel drive, 64.8 kWh battery, 11/72 kW AC / DC course 0-100km / h 7.8s, 167km / h, 460km electric range Dimensions length / width / height 4.42 / 1.83 / 1.57 m, 1757 kg, 475-1392 + 20 l environment WLTP 16 kWh / 100 km, 0 g / km CO2Energy A Price £ from 44’650 Fr.
Kia Niro HEV – full hybrid
to lead 1.6 R4 gasoline engine + electric motor, 141 hp (104 kW), 144 + 170 Nm, 6-speed automatic DKG, front-wheel drive, 1.3 kWh battery course 0-100 km / h 10.4 sec, 165 km / h peak. Dimensions length / width / height 4.42 / 1.83 / 1.55 m, 1474 kg, 451-1445 l environment WLTP 4.7 l / 100 km, 107 g / km CO2Energy A Price £ from 33’250 Fr.
Kia Niro PHEV – plug-in hybrid
to lead 1.6 R4 gasoline engine + electric motor, 183 hp (134 kW), 144 + 203 Nm, 6-speed automatic DKG, front-wheel drive, battery 11.1 kWh, AC 3.3 kW course 0-100km / h 9.6s, maximum speed 168km / h, electric range 59km Dimensions length / width / height 4.42 / 1.83 / 1.56 m, 1594 kg, 348-1342 l environment WLTP 1.0 l + 14 kWh / 100 km, 23 g / km CO2Energy A Price £ from 38’950 Fr.
Kia Niro – electric
to lead Electric motor, 204 hp (150 kW), 255 Nm, 1-speed automatic, front-wheel drive, 64.8 kWh battery, 11/72 kW AC / DC course 0-100km / h 7.8s, 167km / h, 460km electric range Dimensions length / width / height 4.42 / 1.83 / 1.57 m, 1757 kg, 475-1392 + 20 l environment WLTP 16 kWh / 100 km, 0 g / km CO2Energy A Price £ from 44’650 Fr.
Stainless steel is airy in the front anyway, the rear is more than a hand’s width in the crown and knees – which is also typical of the competition from the Skoda Karoq to the Peugeot e-2008. Depending on the drive (see the box), the load space is always packed in a different amount – due to the battery, which in each type is mounted differently on the variable platform. But it’s always enough. The EV also has a tailcoat on the front.
We like it less
There is a lot of economical hard plastic inside – today even the upper class is common, but therefore it is not prettier. But: processing is sovereign. Just a pity: despite the generous help, the great dead angle cam of the other Kia is missing.
And of all the Kia in which the EV6 has 240 kW of charging power, it can be charged with a stainless steel electrician that charges stale 86 kW peak power or 72 kW continuous power. “In terms of price-performance, very competitive charging efficiency,” argues Hilbert, “and the vast majority of our customers charge at home.” The charging curve should be even, charging at the DC Niro EV charging station takes a minimum of 45 minutes (10-80%).
This is how Niro drives
The full hybrid has an output of 141 hp (104 kW) and drives like a normal gasoline engine that starts without delay. Very pleasant – and only at the top it sounds a little tense acoustically. In a test drive we did not reach 4.7 l / 100 km according to the WLTP, according to the display it is a good liter more.
The plug-in hybrid has noticeably more power, reaching 183 hp (134 kW). It’s nice how often and fast you go on electricity (nominally 59 km) – and like all plugs, it’s downright annoying when your gasoline engine breaks through this peace of mind. The desire is officially 1.0 l / 100 km plus electricity, in our test it was 1.2 l / 100 km – if the battery was discharged, the value would of course increase rapidly. Reverse is only electrically driven, so there is no mechanical reverse to reduce weight.
The Stromer is the top model on the drive side. Quiet, gentle, extremely fast – and according to the WLTP, it should have a range of 460 kilometers at 204 hp (150 kW). The display shows that on our test drive it was about 420 kilometers despite the heat and the German highway – good price. Niro EV is also capable of intelligent recuperation depending on location and traffic volume. And it gives a good impression: the precise steering and the comfortable but never unpleasant chassis fit perfectly here: the perfect mix in a nice, handy car.
Review judgment
The successful Kia Niro is undoubtedly making its way: not only does it have no mechanical reverse and it drives electrified forwards. He can do everything that customers appreciated in his predecessor, but with a better appearance. And it doesn’t cost the land. Tariffs always include a lot of standard equipment and a seven-year warranty: hybrid 33,250, plug-in hybrid 38,950, electric 44,650 francs. You can place an order right now, the dealer’s start is September 2022.