The Kia Niro is part of a plan for the Korean brand to triple its line-up of ‘green’ models by 2020. It’s a dedicated hybrid SUV, although Kia calls it an HUV (hybrid utility vehicle), and rather than rivalling cars like the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, it’s more of a competitor for the Toyota Prius thanks to an expected price tag of around £22,000 and the smaller body size.
The Niro is around the same price as the Prius but it retains the desirable looks and practicality of an SUV. While it’s not a full-on off-roader, the body cladding, upright shape and chunky design cues give it a pleasingly tough crossover look. The styling is not particularly exciting but it’s smart enough, especially sitting on Kia’s neat alloy wheels. In terms of size, at 4.4m long it’s bigger than a Kia Cee’d, but smaller than the Kia Sportage.
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The hybrid system in the Niro uses an efficient 1.6-litre petrol engine with 102bhp mated to a 42bhp electric motor, with power going through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. That means there’s no CVT (continuously variable transmission), which is often criticised in other hybrid cars for taking enjoyment from the driver as well as making a lot of noise when accelerating.
The DCT automatic in the Niro is definitely an improvement over CVT systems, and it changes gear smoothly enough. You can put it into manual mode as well, and change between ratios using the shifter on the centre console. However, the long gearing and low-powered engine mean getting up to speed can be a bit noisy, as you are forced to work the engine hard to pick up speed.
The engine doesn’t sound unpleasant and the electric motor contributes to a total torque output of 265Nm, so it’s nippy in town and easy enough to keep up with traffic. It feels quite lively off of the line, but once you get up to speed the Niro’s performance is only adequate, especially as the gearbox is fairly slow to change down when you put your foot down. It’s hardly exciting to drive, but apart from motorway overtaking it will be good enough for most.
At low speed the Niro is very quiet, however, and on the motorway the wind and road noise is kept to a minimum. It all adds to the car’s relaxed character, with the electric motor working on its own at slower speeds to make driving in town much more comfortable.
The ride felt smooth on the German roads where we tried the car, and the seats are supportive and comfortable, too. The steering wheel has adjustment for reach and rake, so most people should be able to get settled in the driver’s seat.
It’s best to stick to smoother driving in the Niro, as it doesn’t feel particularly at home when pushed a bit harder. The steering is light and lacks feel, and the eco tyres aren’t particularly grippy - but it would be harsh to criticise the Niro too much for these failings. It’s focused on low running costs and a comfortable driving experience, so there are bound to be compromises.
The Niro can travel up to three miles on electric power alone, which doesn’t sound like much - but it’s comparable with other hybrids such as the Prius and the Kia can actually manage 70mph just using the electric motor. In normal driving the switch between the engine and the motor is seamless, so you won’t mind when the petrol unit starts up again.
Fuel economy is decent, if not quite as good as the Toyota. While the Prius manages 94mpg, the Kia’s 74.3mpg is still a strong figure and emissions of 88g/km (with 16-inch wheels fitted), combined with the lack of a diesel engine, will save company car buyers some cash. However be wary of the model with 18-inch wheels, as it emits a disappointing 101g/km.
There’s some clever tech on board to help save fuel as well, including a Predictive Energy Control system that can use navigation data to optimise the hybrid system. Preparing it for going up or down a steep hill, for example. The Niro has a drag co-efficient of 0.29 and there’s no conventional battery in the car either. This helps save weight, as do the lighter seats and chassis parts.
Inside you’ll find plenty of kit, including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The display is capacitive like your smartphone, but don’t expect the same quality finish - the touchscreen is clearly built to survive heavy use and so doesn’t feel as slick as a phone’s does. The interface is easy enough to use, though, and the sat-nav display is clear.
Heated and cooled seats help keep the cabin comfortable, and there’s even a heated steering wheel - although the mass of buttons on the wheel for all the other functions means controlling the car’s systems will take some getting used to. Interior quality is good, and while there are some scratchy plastic surfaces, most of the touch points have a premium feel. The dials behind the wheel have a futuristic look as well, and the climate control buttons on the dash look smart.
The Niro actually has a longer wheelbase than the Kia Sportage SUV, which means rear legroom is good: there’s easily enough room for two adults in the back, even with a tall driver and front-seat passenger. It’s fairly narrow though, so sitting three back there might be a squeeze. There’s loads of headroom in the back, too.
Boot space of 427 litres isn’t too bad, but it’s smaller than the Prius’ 502-litre space. Open up the tailgate and the news is better, however: there’s only a small loading lip, and the seats fold down flat in a 60:40 configuration.
- Model: Kia Niro
- Price: £22,000
- Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl petrol, plus electric motor
- Power/Torque: 138bhp/265Nm
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
- 0-62mph/Top speed: 11.5s/100mph
- Economy/CO2: 74.3mpg/88g/km
- On sale : September 2016