Niro is new heir to the Kia crown

KIA’S Niro has proven to be hugely popular for the Korean firm.

Replacing a car like that is never easy, but Kia appears up to the challenge with the new Niro.

Sitting on a new platform and with a range of new technologies, this is no mild facelift.

With its predecessor acting as one of the core models in Kia’s range, the new Niro has returned with a host of revisions.

What’s new?

Much as before, the new Niro remains available with a trio of powertrains, ensuring there’s a setup for all buyers – though it’s the plug-in hybrid we’re focusing on here. Overall, the Niro is longer, wider and taller than before, bringing improved spaciousness.

The older Niro’s rather underplayed styling has been massively overhauled too, with a new, more exciting exterior look.

Not only does it give the Niro added presence, but brings it closer in terms of design to the rest of Kia’s range.

What’s under the bonnet?

Whether you opt for the regular ‘self-charging’ hybrid or this PHEV, you’re getting a set-up that’s focused around a 1.6-litre petrol engine.

The difference lies in the electric motor – which becomes more powerful in the latter – and the battery, which swells in capacity.

Combined, you get 180bhp and 265Nm of torque, driven to the wheels via a sixspeed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

You should get up to 40 miles of electric range too, while CO2 emissions of just 18g/km put this in the business carfriendly category.

Kia says you could achieve up to 353.1mpg, though this will rely on the batteries always being kept topped up

How does it look?

There was little to shout about when it came to how the old Niro looked.

You could argue it catered to all tastes because of this, but it certainly wasn’t exciting.

We particularly like the sharp daytime running lights. Around the back and the upright almost boomerangshaped rear lights continue the theme, though the large slab of panel underneath them on the sides does look a little ugly in our eyes.

What’s it like inside?

The Kia Niro has grown considerably.

In fact, it’s now 65mm longer and 20mm wider and this growth spurt can definitely be noticed in the cabin.

In the rear, there’s loads of space both in terms of head and legroom.

We particularly like the USB-C charging sockets that have been integrated into the seatbacks of the front chairs, which gives the back of the car a clean look.

Interestingly, this plug-in hybrid is the worst off in terms of boot space.

At 346 litres, it falls behind the regular hybrid’s 451 litres and the full EV’s 475 litres.

Lower the seats and this does increase to 1,342 litres, but you really are better served with one of the other variants if maximum boot space is what you’re after.

Kia makes a threepronged approach with its hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV Niro – but what’s this new one like?

What’s the spec like?

In keeping with Kia’s valueorientated approach, the Niro is absolutely packed with standard equipment.

Prices for the plug-in hybrid start from £33,245 in entrylevel ‘2’ grade, but the level of kit that you get at this level is impressive.

All cars get 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Our test car was finished to ‘4’ specification which, though commanding quite a premium at £39,175, did bring a host of extra touches such as a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, heated rear seats and an electric sunroof. However, the range of equipment fitted to ‘2’ models means it’s arguably the strongest proposition.

The verdict

The importance of the new Niro can’t be underestimated. But by making it even more practical while giving it a stronger identity through more eye-catching styling, Kia has really strengthened the car’s appeal.

It’s also backed by the same level of standard equipment that made the original

Niro a hit, while its trio of powertrain options means that, as before, the Niro should continue to appeal to all manner of buyers.