First report: a positive first impression of the new Kia Niro is spoilt by a transmission software glitch
Verdict
It’s a shame about our Niro’s early glitch, because it’s living up to its brief of delivering more space than before in a still-efficient package. We remain optimistic that it’s going to prove itself over the coming months
- Mileage: 1,509
- Economy: 52.6mpg
No, you’re not seeing double. Our photo does indeed show two identical examples of the latest Kia Niro on the Gibson driveway. But one was on its way out, and the other is the car we’re going to be living with for the next few months.
We’ll explain why we’ve temporarily twinned our cars in a bit. But a proper introduction first; this Niro, the second-generation model, is yet another example of how Kia is right at the forefront of mass-market electrification. It’s a bit bigger than the car it replaces – something I’m keen to test during everyday use – and it’s still available with a comprehensive range of powertrains. Want a pure EV? Sorted. Think you can live with and make good use of a plug-in hybrid? Step this way.
But the entry point to the Niro range is a hybrid, which offers milder electrification and more modest efficiency gains, but doesn’t need to be hooked up to a wallbox every night. And that’s what we have here. It packs a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and a small electric motor for a combined total of 139bhp, and features a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and front-wheel drive.
As befits a base-level model, performance is respectable rather than stellar; 0-62mph needs 10.8 seconds. And while it can’t quite dip below 100g/km for CO2 emissions either, the official figure of 106g/km is still more than adequate for a car of its size.
If anything, it was the heavily revised cabin that made the best impression on me in the days immediately following our car’s arrival. The materials all feel much higher in quality than before, and I love the infotainment system, which seems to have been lifted straight out of the larger Kia Sportage and the far more expensive EV6.
I was looking forward to getting going, then – but our car had other ideas. After a few days I noticed that the Niro was beginning to hold on to first gear for a strangely long time, and it had a tendency to over-rev, even after I’d taken my foot off the accelerator. It juddered under braking too – and to tell the truth, it wasn’t the biggest shock to me when, late one Friday night, the engine warning light came on.
Keen to get to the bottom of things – and keep our new arrival moving – I studied the Kia’s built-in vehicle diagnostics system. After a couple of minutes it informed me of an error in the transmission control, and advised me to contact an authorised dealer.
I needed the issue sorted sooner rather than later, so the following morning I took the Niro straight to Westdrive Braintree – the dealer where I’ve had previous Kias fettled. As usual, the service was first class, as aftersales manager Andrew Peck put the car straight into the workbays to reflash the software and flush out the error messages.
We were duly handed back a fully functioning Niro, but Andrew did warn me as I jumped into the driver’s seat that, software reboot notwithstanding, there was a chance the issue could recur, especially if it were linked to the double-clutch gearbox.
The initial signs were positive, as I made it home with the Niro in good health. But sadly, the issue returned a few days later. This time, without a work trip pressing on my timeline, I elected to keep the car at home until Kia’s own engineers were able to have a look at it.
And that’s why you see two Niros on the driveway – because while waiting for this issue to be fully investigated, I’ve been given an identical car. It’s even conceivable that I may keep this one. It’s the same trim level as before; it has the same engine; it’s even the same colour. But thankfully, it appears to have no warning lights on.
Model: | Kia Niro 1.6 GDi HEV 4 |
On fleet since: | September 2022 |
Price new: | £33,745 |
Engine: | 1.6-litre 4cyl petrol, 139bhp |
CO2/tax: | 106g/km/£165 |
Options: | None |
Insurance*: | Group: 21 Quote: £620 |
Mileage/mpg: | 1,509 |
Economy: | 52.6mpg |
Any problems? | Software fault in transmission |
*Insurance quote for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points.
Keyword: Kia Niro HEV: long-term test report