Kia Niro has hi-tech, high spec and boasts green credentials

The Niro is a mid-size family SUV from Kia.

It’s available with a huge range of engines from petrol and diesel to hybrid, plug-in hybrid and an excellent fully electric model with 280-mile range.

The Niro range was given a midlife refresh last year, with touched-up styling and updated technology and connectivity.

I spent a week with the non-plug-in hybrid version, which pairs a 1.6 litre petrol engine with a small battery and electric motor.

It will run on electric alone for short periods – the farthest I got was Leuchars to Guardbridge, and even that was with a feather-light throttle – but it’s designed more to assist the engine and boost fuel economy.

Those who want proper zeroemissions driving should look to the plug-in hybrid, which manages around 30 miles on battery power, or go for the fully electric version.

There’s no doubt the entry level hybrid is economical, though – official economy is 54mpg and I easily achieved 52mpg over a week of mixed driving.

Whichever version you opt for, you get a smartly styled, spacious SUV that can handle family life.

There’s room for four adults, or two adults and three kids, and though the boot isn’t huge at 373 litres, it’s a practical shape and feels much bigger than the numbers suggest.

Petrol and electric motor produce a combined 139bhp, enough for 0-62mph in 11 seconds. It’s no sports car but has enough turn of speed for overtaking and it sticks to the road well through corners.

I drove an upper spec three version, which in hybrid guise cost a not-unreasonable £27,100.

It comes fully equipped with treats including leather seats, heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

There isn’t much not to like. I would go for the plug-in hybrid version, but the Niro as a whole is a very impressive car – and that’s before you factor in Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

The Kia Niro non-plug-in hybrid can cover short distances on electric power alone.