Kia Niro
FINAL REPORT Clever hybrid provides an interesting glimpse of future
GIVE it another decade or so, and every new car that isn’t a full EV will be a hybrid of some description.
At least, that’s the stated aim of many of the world’s top automotive makers. Should we be living in fear of this rapidly dawning new age of electrical assistance? Well, ‘frightening’ certainly isn’t an adjective that leaps to mind when considering the hybrid Kia Niro we’ve been running on our fleet.
Far from it; this is a car that we’ve gained a healthy respect for during its time with us. Its general ease of use has been a highlight – and while battery-impacted boot space of 373 litres is a major drawback, overall Kia has created a competitive compact crossover that also happens to be a hybrid.
The Niro needs to persuade car buyers that the time to take the plunge and buy a hybrid is right now, not at some point in the future when emissions legislation removes the choice from our hands.
The hybrid powertrain might not be the magic bullet for your fuel bills that you expect, though. We have to admit the 47.5mpg we’ve been averaging falls a little below expectations, even though it’s a strong return in real-world driving. Over longer trips the Niro seems to perform better, with close to 60mpg possible on extended motorway runs.
So it’s probably fair to say that the Niro squares up to alternatives on the cost front without landing a knockout blow. What about the actual ownership experience, however? Well, the hybrid powertrain encourages a relaxed style of driving, as the DCT transmission doesn’t respond well to enthusiastic throttle inputs. Conform with this, though, and the Niro is easy to use and runs on electric power only frequently enough in town. It’s a different experience and one many drivers will enjoy.
We admit the interior design lacks a bit of flair; a complaint that could also be levelled at the exterior. Otherwise, build quality is up to scratch, the controls are logically laid out and there are plenty of storage options in the cabin.
A mixed bag, then, but a car that we’ll miss having on the fleet regardless.
“Kia has created a competitive compact crossover that also happens to be a hybrid”