New Kia Niro

Motoring

First drive: is the new Kia Niro a fitting replacement for the popular original?

Kia is back with a three-pronged approach with its hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV Niro. Jack Evans finds out what it’s like.

What is it? Kia’s Niro has proved to be a hugely popular car for the Korean firm and has been a consistent bestseller. Sitting on a new platform and with a range of new technologies, the Niro has a host of revisions to ensure it’s as successful as the car it replaces. What’s new? Overall, the Niro is longer, wider and taller than before, bringing improved spaciousness and practicality. The styling has been overhauled, giving the Niro added presence and bringing it closer in terms of design to the rest of Kia’s range. What’s under the bonnet? Both the regular ‘self-charging’ hybrid or the PHEV we tested have a 1.6-litre petrol engine. The difference lies in the electric motor (more powerful in the latter) and the increased-capacity battery. Combined, you get 180bhp and 265Nm of torque, and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 40 miles of electric range is possible and CO2 emissions of 22g/km put this in the business car-friendly category. Kia claim up to 353.1mpg is achievable, though the batteries must be kept topped up. What’s it like to drive? It’s straightforward to drive and the steering wheel is similar to other recent Kia models. It’s easy to use, with the PHEV setup switching between electric and petrol power without fuss. It’s quiet, with good levels of refinement. However, the steering is quite lifeless and the brake pedal feels spongy, while the regenerative braking takes some getting used to. How does it look? The new car has a really bold front end incorporating Kia’s latest interpretation of its famous ‘Tiger Face’. We like the sharp daytime running lights. The rear lights continue the theme, though the large panel underneath them on the sides looks a little ugly. What’s it like inside? The Kia Niro has grown considerably and is now 65mm longer and 20mm wider, giving ample head- and legroom In the rear seats. The USB-C charging sockets integrated into the backs of the front seats give the back of the car a clean look. This plug-in hybrid has the least boot space at 346 litres, while the regular hybrid has 451 litres and the full EV 475 litres. Lowering the seats increases this to 1,342 litres. What’s the spec like? The Niro is packed with standard equipment. Prices for the plug-in hybrid start from £33,245 in entry-level ‘2’ grade, but the kit level is impressive. All cars get 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Our test car’s ‘4’ specification at £39,175 included a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, heated rear seats and an electric sunroof. However, the ‘2’ model is arguably the strongest proposition. Verdict Kia’s Niro is even more practical than before and has a stronger identity through more eyecatching styling, thus strengthening its appeal. With its excellent level of standard equipment and trio of powertrain options, the Niro should continue to appeal to all manner of buyers.