Niro’s a special hybrid

KIA, one of the world’s fastest developing car manufacturers, proudly claims that its Niro model is not your run-of-themill hybrid.

And they are right because the company’s first dedicated hybrid is based on an all-new platform which will only be used for electrified vehicles.

It features a new powertrain with a 1.6-litre 104bhp petrol engine allied to a 43bhp electric motor and a six-speed dual clutch transmission.

The bodystyle is compact crossover and the whole package is extremely impressive. If this is the first effort, it will be a case of “watch out world” when the Kia hybrid machine develops even further.

The Niro is one of those cars in which everything works in a sweet harmony. It is smooth and powerful in its drive delivery and achieves some impressive results including a combined mpg of 74.3mpg with rock bottom emissions for this style of car at 88g/km.

And performance is right in the fun zone with 101mph top speed and 0-60mph sprint seconds.

The stylists gave the car ample room for five plus luggage, yet endow a drag coefficient of only 0.29, even on versions with roof rails.

Full marks go to the fit and finish factors which features a high-quality digital off 11.1 display showing a mass of information.

The Niro is available with the latest connectivity and active safety t e c h n o l o g i e s including the Kia Connected Services system f e a t u r i n g T o m T o m , w i r e l e s s sm smartphone c h a r g i n g , au autonomous e merm g e n c y b r a k i n g , sm smart cruise co control and lane assist assist, plus blind spot and d rear cross traffic warning systems.

The model I drove cost £22,795 and provided a lot, being so sophisticated, for your cash. In EV mode, which is the total electric drive, is eerily silent. But on the open road, the full-power combo kicks in and gives acceleration aplenty.