2018 Kia Niro PHEV - the hybrid plug-in variant has been available since the beginning of the year
2018 Kia Niro PHEV - the hybrid plug-in variant has been available since the beginning of the year
The Kia Niro is the first 'Hybrid Utility Vehicle' on the market and, also, the first car designed from the beginning by Kia to take full advantage of battery technology linked to a combustion engine. Although the Kia Niro is exclusively a hybrid SUV, its aesthetics are not nearly as 'peculiar' as other Asian models born with batteries inside. Not that it is not attractive, but it does not have a design as groundbreaking as some of the latest Kia models. The Niro will arrive in Spain after the summer of 2016, almost half a year after its sales begin in Korea and it will be sold all over the world with the same appearance, which is why its line is a bit more conservative. The interior is very similar to the Kia Optima, all rationality and ergonomics, but with perhaps a few more buttons and difficulty finding some of the functions. Of course, in terms of technology, this model is unparalleled in its segment. It must be clarified that, for Kia, the rivals of the Kia Niro will be the Nissan Qashqai, the Renault Kadjar or the VW Tiguan on the SUV side and the Toyota Prius, Ford C-Max and Toyota Auris HD on the side of the hybrids.
Careful design both outside and inside
The Kia Niro has a number of measures for this purpose, such as aesthetic vertical air intakes on the front that send an air curtain to the wheel arches to improve aerodynamics. The new Kia hybrid SUV is also built in 50% with ultra high strength steels, which has improved the torsional rigidity step that achieved a weight reduction of 5%, which helps improve also your driving dynamics. The Kia Niro has a combustion engine of 105 HP connected to another electric 37 kW, fed in turn by a small battery of 1.56 kWh (the Niro will have in the future a plug-in version 'Kia Niro Plug-In', with a much larger pile). Although the clocks on the left in the box show the electric power and energy recovery in braking and deceleration, except for that, almost nothing helps to differentiate if you are trying a Kia Niro or a conventional car because everything works with great softness and a lot of silence, maybe due to a great acoustic isolation.
Extensive technological equipment
The safety of the Kia Niro has already been evaluated in the IDIADA of Tarragona and, according to the 'EuroNCAP' parameters, the basic model will receive four stars, which would reach five if it equips its many available assistants. Brilliant also the suspension of this model, which in the test journey proved to be able to move the car with agility in overtaking by road -with few curves- and, in addition, it is able to filter great potholes quite important. The direction and the change contribute to make the driving of this model as dynamic, as smooth. In fact, one of the most precise addresses in its segment is also targeted at the new Korean hybrid SUV, although the rim of the steering wheel could be a bit thicker.
Excellent driving sensations
After driving the Kia Niro for about 40 kilometers, it is very pleasant to drive and, above all, the consumption that it offers indicates a lot of efficiency during the first test. Kia does not yet have homologated data for this model, but its objective is that it can be certified with emissions below 90 g / km of CO2 that would make it exempt from the registration tax. The segment of hybrid SUVs is not particularly popular in Spain and, given the effort of the Koreans to equip this model with a lot of equipment and technology, it certainly can not have a demolition price, but if it does not go too far the 30,000 euros will be such a rational and versatile option that it will almost certainly become a great success.
Soon a 100% electric variant will arrive
At the end of 2017, Kia announced that, in accordance with its plans to have an electric range based on many of its models, it was preparing a 100% electric version of the Niro. Their data is very promising, since it is expected to have an autonomy of 383 kilometers. But not only will you receive changes in the propulsion, but your exterior design will be renewed with elements that offer a more futuristic image and invite you to think of a scenario without combustion engines.
Careful design both outside and inside
The Kia Niro has a number of measures for this purpose, such as aesthetic vertical air intakes on the front that send an air curtain to the wheel arches to improve aerodynamics. The new Kia hybrid SUV is also built in 50% with ultra high strength steels, which has improved the torsional rigidity step that achieved a weight reduction of 5%, which helps improve also your driving dynamics. The Kia Niro has a combustion engine of 105 HP connected to another electric 37 kW, fed in turn by a small battery of 1.56 kWh (the Niro will have in the future a plug-in version 'Kia Niro Plug-In', with a much larger pile). Although the clocks on the left in the box show the electric power and energy recovery in braking and deceleration, except for that, almost nothing helps to differentiate if you are trying a Kia Niro or a conventional car because everything works with great softness and a lot of silence, maybe due to a great acoustic isolation.
Extensive technological equipment
The safety of the Kia Niro has already been evaluated in the IDIADA of Tarragona and, according to the 'EuroNCAP' parameters, the basic model will receive four stars, which would reach five if it equips its many available assistants. Brilliant also the suspension of this model, which in the test journey proved to be able to move the car with agility in overtaking by road -with few curves- and, in addition, it is able to filter great potholes quite important. The direction and the change contribute to make the driving of this model as dynamic, as smooth. In fact, one of the most precise addresses in its segment is also targeted at the new Korean hybrid SUV, although the rim of the steering wheel could be a bit thicker.
Excellent driving sensations
After driving the Kia Niro for about 40 kilometers, it is very pleasant to drive and, above all, the consumption that it offers indicates a lot of efficiency during the first test. Kia does not yet have homologated data for this model, but its objective is that it can be certified with emissions below 90 g / km of CO2 that would make it exempt from the registration tax. The segment of hybrid SUVs is not particularly popular in Spain and, given the effort of the Koreans to equip this model with a lot of equipment and technology, it certainly can not have a demolition price, but if it does not go too far the 30,000 euros will be such a rational and versatile option that it will almost certainly become a great success.
Soon a 100% electric variant will arrive
At the end of 2017, Kia announced that, in accordance with its plans to have an electric range based on many of its models, it was preparing a 100% electric version of the Niro. Their data is very promising, since it is expected to have an autonomy of 383 kilometers. But not only will you receive changes in the propulsion, but your exterior design will be renewed with elements that offer a more futuristic image and invite you to think of a scenario without combustion engines.
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