Kia’s Niro ‘Hybrid Utility Vehicle’ goes on UK sale on 8th August, at prices starting from £21,295.
Sitting between the current Soul and Sportage models, the Niro is a crossover developed on an all-new compact SUV platform specifically to accommodate a hybrid powertrain.
The brand’s current 1.6-litre Kappa direct-injection petrol engine of 104bhp is combined with a 32kW electric motor fed by a 1.56kWh lithium-polymer battery pack. It produces another 43.5bhp, joined to a six-speed double-clutch transmission.
As a result, the car claims CO2 emissions down to 88g/km and combined cycle fuel economy of up to 74.3mpg. Kia says the model will make a significant contribution to the brand’s pledge of cutting the average emissions of its range by 25 per cent before 2020.
Kia claims a class-leading low drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.29 for the Niro, while extensive use of high-strength steel and aluminium in the body construction helps to keep down weight.
Niro models will offer the latest connectivity and active safety technologies, including Kia’s Connected Services with TomTom navigation, wireless smartphone charging, autonomous emergency braking, smart cruise control and lane-keeping, and blind spot and rear cross traffic warning systems.
The Niro is also the first Kia with Android Auto, linking Android smartphones to Google Maps navigation, Google Play music, hands-free calls and texts and voice recognition using pre-downloaded apps.
UK variants of the Niro will be offered in the brand’s traditional ‘1’, ‘2’ and ‘3’ trim levels along with a First Edition range-topping model.
Standard on all cars will be lane keep assist, hill-start assist control, cruise control with a speed limiter, a DAB radio and Bluetooth smartphone connectivity and music streaming.
Entry level 1 versions include 16-inch alloy wheels, a high-gloss black radiator grille with a black and chrome surround, dual automatic air conditioning, an automatic windscreen de-fogging system, LED daytime running lights and tail lights, a 3.5-inch TFT display, all-round electric windows and electric exterior mirror adjustment, USB and AUX ports and a trip computer.
Grade 2 adds a seven-inch touchscreen navigation system with European mapping, a Reversing Camera and Kia Connected, which is free for seven years from the time the car is bought.
Leather upholstery elements, roof rails, privacy glass on the rear windows and tailgate, reversing sensors and electrically adjustable, heated and folding door mirrors with LED indicators are highlights among the specification of 2 versions.
The 3 trim level increases the touchscreen to eight inches, adding a wireless mobile phone charger and an eight-speaker sound system with an external amplifier. The alloy wheels grow to 18 inches and black leather upholstery, front parking sensors, heated front seats and steering wheel and a power-adjustable driver’s seat also feature.
Range-topping First Edition models add Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection with a Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Smart Cruise Control. A bespoke grey leather trim is supplied with white interior trim inserts, a smart key and engine start/stop button, heated outer rear seats, ventilated front seats and an electric tilting and sliding sunroof.
Keyword: Kia Niro hybrid crossover on sale at £21.3K