Take Niro out for a test and save £1,000

KIA needed a small Jukestyle compact Crossover model. And it also wanted a hybrid able to appeal to buyers who can’t quite stretch to a Toyota Prius.

The Niro smartly packages up both requirements into one potentially appealing product.

Under the bonnet lies a 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid powerplant of the non-plug-in variety.

The petrol unit puts out 104bhp and that’s bolstered by a 43.5bhp electric motor mounted on the transmission. Together, the two power units produce 139bhp, with 265Nm of torque available in first gear for rapid acceleration from standstill.

As you’d expect from a hybrid, regenerative braking is used to send power back to the battery, but Kia says it’s paid special attention to brake feel, reducing the grabby nature that you get from the brakes in other hybrids.

The transmission is the latest version of Kia’s 6DCT CVT auto ‘box, re-engineered specifically for use with the Niro’s advanced hybrid powertrain, delivering a more direct and immediate response — and a more entertaining drive — than a traditional continuously-variable transmission would.

The Niro’s 6DCT is able to shift gears automatically, while keener drivers can pull the gear lever towards them to put the car into Manual Sports mode and allow manual shifting.

Inside, the Niro follows the most recent Kia models in offering high quality, soft-touch materials throughout the roomy interior. There’s decent boot capacity, too — 421-litres.

There are four Niro trim grades currently on offer — ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘First Edition’. Pricing starts from around £21,000. All are comprehensively equipped with comfort, luxury, connectivity and driver assistance features such as Lane Keep Assist System, Hill-start Assist Control, Cruise Control and a Speed Limiter. Every Niro also has a DAB radio and is able to support Bluetooth smartphone connectivity and music streaming.

Efficiency figures can’t match those of Toyota’s Prius but they’re still pretty impressive — 74.3mpg on the combined cycle and 88g/km of CO2.

Book a test drive at Fisken (Forfar) and receive £1,000 off. And why not take advantage of the low APR, three-year service deal and, of course, Kia’s legendary 7-year warranty?