By Ewan Kennedy, Marque Motoring
Kia Niro is a small SUV that’s available in two efficient FWD electrified powertrains, the Hybrid Electric (HEV) and full Electric (EV). The previous Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) has been dropped with the latest (MY23) update which arrived here in April 2022.
Niro is a fairly large vehicle for its class, indeed it’s not far short of being a medium sized model. The wheelbase is a lengthy 4.72 metres. It is 4.42 metres long, 1.83 metres wide and has a height of 1.55 metres.
Kia has an impressive seven-year unlimited distance warranty on all its models. It continues to surprise us that very few other marques have followed this lead. Surely it isn’t because they have doubts about the ability of their vehicles to last seven years without problems?
STYLING
The Niro S HEV gets the latest iteration of the Kia Tiger grille with halogen headlights and LED daytime running lights and taillights. The GT-Line variants get LED headlights. The S HEV runs on 16-inch alloy wheels, the two EV models on 17-inch and the S GT-line on 18s.
The gloss-black roof rails are a nice touch and add an upmarket look to the Niro.
INTERIOR
Niro has pretty good interior space for its class and the styling is attractive with a relatively modern look.
The Niro Hybrid has 425 litres of boot space with the rear seats up, or 1419 litres with the second row folded. To achieve this volume there’s a space-saver spare under the boot floor.
INFOTAINMENT
The model we tested has a 10.25-inch central screen as well as a 10.25-inch instrument display. These sit in a wide panel that stretches across most of the front of the dash area.
The quality is high and it’s easy to read them at a quick glance. This is an important safety feature as, despite my best intentions, I do tend to look at the centre screen to change radio stations or for other reasons.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Niro has a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 77kW of power and 144Nm of torque. It combines with a 32kW 170Nm electric motor to produce 104 kW and 265 Nm.
SAFETY
Kia Niro has autonomous emergency braking including car, pedestrian, cyclist and intersection intervention.
Lane-keep and lane-follow assist is handy for driver who aren’t paying full attention and tend to wander about from time to time.
Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert and avoidance is fitted to all models of the Niro.
Our test car had safe-exit assist to prevent opening the door into an approaching car or cyclist. Reverse parking collision avoidance is handy as it can be all but impossible to see others vehicles, or people on foot when revising in tight carparks.
DRIVING
Performance is very good with the usual instantaneous response from the accelerator that’s such a delightful part of any vehicle with electricity as part, or all, of its powertrain.
It’s a comparatively heavy vehicle so it doesn’t have a huge amount of get up and go that we like in our vehicles. Those using it in a normal manner will almost certainly find it more than adequate.
Handling is good as Niro and other Kia models are specially set up to suit the needs and desires of Australian drivers. It turns in promptly and holds the road at speeds that aren’t likely to be used by drivers of family cars.
There is a head-up display for the driver, but as happens all too often it doesn’t work well if you’re wearing polarising sunglasses – as I do. Some carmakers have prevented this problem by angling the display in a slightly different direction. Kia may care to try this in an update – here’s hoping.
The front seats are a good size and we found them comfortable even after several long drives we did as part of our road test reviews.
The squared off rear end mean that the getting in and out of the back part of the cabin is easy. Rear seat passengers also have space but if those in the front set their seats back a long way some in the back may find their legroom is tight. It makes sense to take people who are going to be sitting in these seats to come along to the showroom and try them out for size. This may mean you not buying this model and perhaps trying a larger Kia, or perhaps going to look at rival cars.
There are air vents in the back of the centre console so the passengers have an even more pleasant ride.
Hyundai says the hybrid models have combined fuel usage of 4.0L/100km for the hybrid. We used three to four litres per hundred during open road driving and five to seven litres per hundred kilometres in city and suburban running.
SUMMING UP
Kia Niro hybrid is an exceptional vehicle in many ways, it has minimal fuel consumption if driven correctly and is still pretty economical if you push hard. It’s attractively styled and practical. Combined with that very impressive warranty it’s certainly one to be added to your list of vehicles under consideration in its class.
MODEL RANGE
Niro S HEV: $44,380
Niro GT-Line HEV: $50,030
Niro S EV: $65,300
Niro GT-Line EV: $72,100
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Kia dealer for drive-away prices.
