The first Kia Niro had indeed started as a simple hybrid (HEV), before following, each time with a gap of a year, the plug-in (PHEV) and 100% electric (EV) versions.

This time, therefore, everything happens at the same time.

And that's not the only thing that changes...

Design is all about

Because as you can see, after the Sportage and the EV6, Kia continues to shake the coconut palm of design.

We can not say that the new Niro lacks originality.

If the general silhouette is basically not so special, the front and rear faces are on the other hand non-consensual, and we will like or not the rear upright in contrasting color.

Note that if you don't like it, you can stick to plain paint, which is also cheaper.

Less "avant-garde", the passenger compartment is however aesthetically neat and very modern, especially for the versions which receive the double large screen of the dashboard, and the rotary gearbox control.

On the habitability side, we are rather in the right average for a vehicle 4.42 m long, both in the rear seats and in the trunk.

On this subject, note that each version offers a different volume (348 liters for the PHEV, 451 liters for the HEV, 475 liters for the EV), and that for architectural reasons, the rear seats of the electric version are a slightly less generous.

The choice

The hybrid versions of the Niro use the same 1.6-litre petrol engine as their base.

The HEV adds a 32 kW electric motor and a small battery, to announce a total power of 140 hp, an average WLTP of 4.4 to 4.6 l/100 km and 100 to 105 gCO2/km, depending on the level of finish. .

From €31,790.

For the PHEV, the electric motor claims 62 kW, and the battery 11.1 kWh.

The power of the system is 183 hp, and thanks to a maximum electric range of 65 km, Kia announces 0.8 to 0.9 l/100 km, for 18 to 21 gCO2/km.

From €38,990.

Finally, the EV version delivers 204 hp, and the 64.8 kWh battery allows an average range of 460 km.

From €44,490.

Very soflty

Let's start the road record with the best news: unlike the latest Kia to date, the Niro does not choose unnecessarily hard suspensions.

Whatever the version, it benefits from comfortable damping, which is perfectly suited to the flowing behavior that should be adopted with vehicles with an economic vocation.

That said, the Niro are also capable of whipping, and even the less powerful version (HEV) shows great responsiveness.

But really, we feel that the model is not created to give this desire for dynamic driving.

And when you find the right way to "talk to him", he gives the best of himself, namely a very measured appetite.

On the same mixed course of 70 km (including a long climb to the heights), the results of the three Niro are pretty good.

An average of 4.5 l/100 km for the HEV, 40 km of electric range and 1.3 l/100 km for the PHEV, and 13.6 kWh with the EV, for a real range just over 400 km.

Kia therefore has a good command of the subject of electricity, and it would be even better if the prices did not take the brand to a slightly less attractive area than before.

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The Kia Niro HEV in a few figures

  • Engine: 4 cyl.

    hybrid gasoline, 1.580cc;

    140hp;

    265Nm

  • Transmission: to the front wheels.

  • Gearbox: 6-speed dual-clutch auto

  • L/W/H (mm): 4,420/1,825/1,545

  • Empty weight (kg): 1.474

  • Trunk (l): 451 – 1,445

  • Tank (l): 42

  • 0 to 100 km/h (s): 10.4

  • Max speed (km/h): 165

  • Cons.

    mixed (l/100 km) 4.5

  • CO2 (g/km): 102

  • Price (€): 31,790

  • Automotive

  • Car

  • Electric car

  • Hybrid cars

  • SUV