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CAROLINE GETS MOTORING Bunclody native Caroline Kidd brings us reviews of the latest new cars to arrive in Ireland. Caroline is the founder and editor of the online automotive magazine Changing Lanes and a jury member for Irish Car of the Year. Find out more about her editorial and commercial copywriting services at
www.changinglanes.ie
KIA NIRO The Kia Niro was first introduced to Ireland back in 2016. It was a bit of a trendsetter at the time. Not only was it styled as a crossover – customers love them – but it also spawned a successful Niro plug-in hybrid and the jewel in the crown – the electric 'e-Niro'. Now Kia has had a chance to revisit the Niro and create an all-new version. But electrification remains a key theme with plug-in hybrid and EV versions available, and an upcoming full hybrid. The electric Niro offers up to 460 kilometres of range and doesn’t cost much more to buy than the hybrid.
The new Kia Niro plug-in hybrid I’ve been testing goes on sale in Ireland priced from €39,700, while the Niro EV is available from €41,775. The attraction of the plug-in hybrid is the all-electric driving range of up to 59 kilometres, but there’s a 1.6-litre petrol engine at its core. The new Niro seems to look the part more now of a small, trendy crossover. It's found new direction within the brand's new generation of vehicles like the Sportage and EV6. Kia's design has been evolving over the years and the Niro wears the brand's avant-garde new
design language very well to stand out on the road as something a little bit different. 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights come as standard for a stylish presence. Inside, there has been a transformation as well. Niro feels more modern and youthful than before, with some very impressive digital displays. A 10.25-inch touchscreen comes as standard and suitably modernises the cabin of the Niro. It's all very simple and intuitive to use, while the cabin quality feels good as well. In Ireland the Niro PHEV is available in
Kia Niro
Page 104 - 4th November 2022
