Kia Niro ‘2’ 1.6 GDI HEV

motor £22,795 1.6-litre petrol and electric

Six-speed automatic 0-62mph in 11.1 seconds, 101mph top speed 74.3mpg 88g/km The Niro’s steering is vague and light, but it grips well and the way it contains its body roll is a match for any of its rivals. The Niro’s biggest selling point, though, is efficiency. The basic ‘1’ and mid-range ‘2’ models will return more than 74mpg and emit just 88g/km of carbon dioxide – figures that put the Kia ahead of rivals with even the latest diesel engines. At £21,295, the basic Niro is exactly £7,000 more expensive than the cheapest Fiat 500X, and that’s a big old price difference for two cars that are separated in size by mere centimetres. The Niro is more practical, though, and there’s a big efficiency benefit. Both are powered predominantly by 1.6-litre petrol engines, but the Niro’s electric motor allows it to return 74.3mpg and 88g/ km CO2 emissions, while the Fiat’s unassisted engine only manages 44.1mpg and 147g/ km CO2 emissions. The 16-inch alloys, two-zone climate control and DAB radio are all standard. Satellite navigation is included on all but the basic ‘1’ model, too.