Kia Niro Hybrid 1.6 (A) Review
27 Feb 2017|50,914 views
What We Like
Impressive fuel economy of 19.4km/L
High level of equipment
Well-priced at $112,999
Easy to live with
What We Dislike
Hybrid powertrain isn't the most refined
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the all new Kia Niro.
The Ni-what?
The Niro. If you have never heard of this model before, we don't blame you. The Niro is Kia's newest offering, an all new hybrid crossover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) that marks the brand's latest developments in green technologies.
The Niro is Kia's very first hybrid offering, built from the ground up on a dedicated eco-car platform featuring a new hybrid powertrain
Flip open a Niro brochure and the first words you see are 'The Best of Both Worlds', which is quite the bold statement. And on paper, the Niro has a lot going for it. It officially received a Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption driving across the U.S.A from coast to coast, clocking an incredible 32.6km/L.
Is it any good as a crossover?
The Niro sits at the bottom of Kia's current SUV range, and as a crossover, it's good by most standards. Stylistically, it's modern and sharp-looking, with sculpted surfaces and key design cues like the brand's signature 'tiger-nose' grille. According to Kia, the styling was led by design centres in both U.S.A and Korea, and that shows. Visually, the Niro looks like a collection of great design ideas.
The Ni-what?
The Niro. If you have never heard of this model before, we don't blame you. The Niro is Kia's newest offering, an all new hybrid crossover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) that marks the brand's latest developments in green technologies.
Flip open a Niro brochure and the first words you see are 'The Best of Both Worlds', which is quite the bold statement. And on paper, the Niro has a lot going for it. It officially received a Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption driving across the U.S.A from coast to coast, clocking an incredible 32.6km/L.
Is it any good as a crossover?
The Niro sits at the bottom of Kia's current SUV range, and as a crossover, it's good by most standards. Stylistically, it's modern and sharp-looking, with sculpted surfaces and key design cues like the brand's signature 'tiger-nose' grille. According to Kia, the styling was led by design centres in both U.S.A and Korea, and that shows. Visually, the Niro looks like a collection of great design ideas.
The interior offers up all the practicality and appeal of a crossover. There's generous space for five, and you get 427 litres of boot space, expandable to 1,425 litres with the rear seats folded flat.
As with most of Kia's latest offerings, you get a wealth of features and equipment usually reserved for cars a class above - ventilated front seats, Auto Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, electrically adjusted driver's seat with memory function, even a wireless smartphone charger.
The Niro comes with a wealth of equipment, including a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats
In terms of the car's ride and handling, it's nothing out of the ordinary. The driving position is nice and high, offering good visibility. The suspension, however, is too soft for our liking. While good for long cruises on the highway, take the Niro into a few corners and it will pitch from side to side. That mentioned, this shouldn't be a priority for buyers of crossovers.
As with most of Kia's latest offerings, you get a wealth of features and equipment usually reserved for cars a class above - ventilated front seats, Auto Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, electrically adjusted driver's seat with memory function, even a wireless smartphone charger.
In terms of the car's ride and handling, it's nothing out of the ordinary. The driving position is nice and high, offering good visibility. The suspension, however, is too soft for our liking. While good for long cruises on the highway, take the Niro into a few corners and it will pitch from side to side. That mentioned, this shouldn't be a priority for buyers of crossovers.
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Is it any good as a hybrid?
What makes the Niro intriguing is the fact that it also reaches into this second world - the burgeoning world of hybrids. For the company's first go at making a hybrid, we must say that the Niro is pretty commendable.
The Niro delivered fuel economy that is astonishing for an SUV
The 1.6-litre 'Kappa' GDI engine (producing 104bhp and 147Nm of torque) combines with a 1.56kWh lithium-polymer battery pack and a 32kW electric motor to produce a total output of 139bhp and 265Nm of torque. As far as fuel efficiency is concerned, the Niro actually performs remarkably well - over two days of driving the car, we achieved 19.4km/L, which is mighty impressive for an SUV.
However, you can also tell that Kia is still new to the hybrid game. The powertrain lacks refinement in the way electric and petrol power melds together. Having recently driven the Toyota Prius (a car that has long established itself as the hybrid benchmark), it's apparent that the Niro is still finding its feet.
In place of a traditional tachometer is a hybrid gauge system that challenges you to keep the needle permanently in the eco zone
The delivery of power, while certainly usable, can at times feel incoherent and disjointed. If you pay some attention, you can distinctly feel the three modes of power delivery - electric first, petrol next, then the two combined - when you accelerate. It lacks the seamlessness that you get from the Prius.
What makes the Niro intriguing is the fact that it also reaches into this second world - the burgeoning world of hybrids. For the company's first go at making a hybrid, we must say that the Niro is pretty commendable.
The 1.6-litre 'Kappa' GDI engine (producing 104bhp and 147Nm of torque) combines with a 1.56kWh lithium-polymer battery pack and a 32kW electric motor to produce a total output of 139bhp and 265Nm of torque. As far as fuel efficiency is concerned, the Niro actually performs remarkably well - over two days of driving the car, we achieved 19.4km/L, which is mighty impressive for an SUV.
However, you can also tell that Kia is still new to the hybrid game. The powertrain lacks refinement in the way electric and petrol power melds together. Having recently driven the Toyota Prius (a car that has long established itself as the hybrid benchmark), it's apparent that the Niro is still finding its feet.
The delivery of power, while certainly usable, can at times feel incoherent and disjointed. If you pay some attention, you can distinctly feel the three modes of power delivery - electric first, petrol next, then the two combined - when you accelerate. It lacks the seamlessness that you get from the Prius.
The Niro also lacks low-end electric kick, which means that unless you really mash the throttle, moving off from a standstill is pretty lacklustre. However, get up to speed and acceleration becomes much more palatable.
Is it really 'The Best of Both Worlds'?
If you trust the marketing materials then, yeah, sure. But the reality is that while it wants to be the best of both worlds, and does an impressive job of it, it falls slightly short.
It's easy for us to criticise the Kia Niro for being an imperfect crossover and an imperfect hybrid. However, what the Niro manages to do is to tick all the necessary boxes when it comes to satisfying customers' needs. You get the practicality and space of a crossover, combined with the fuel efficiency of a hybrid. Once you throw in the extremely keen price of the Niro ($112,999 as of 17th February), then you start to really get its appeal.
The Niro's tantalising blend of crossover practicality and hybrid frugality will likely win over many drivers
What does 'The Best of Both Worlds' mean? No, the Niro is neither the best crossover nor the best hybrid available. But you could certainly make the case that it picks and chooses the best qualities from being both a crossover and a hybrid, and puts it together in a single, cohesive and attractive package.
And in this sense, the Niro is the best of both worlds, because even in its first iteration, it's easily the best, most value-for-money hybrid crossover you can get right now. And with its keen price tag, the Niro is primed to start conquering our roads.
Is it really 'The Best of Both Worlds'?
If you trust the marketing materials then, yeah, sure. But the reality is that while it wants to be the best of both worlds, and does an impressive job of it, it falls slightly short.
It's easy for us to criticise the Kia Niro for being an imperfect crossover and an imperfect hybrid. However, what the Niro manages to do is to tick all the necessary boxes when it comes to satisfying customers' needs. You get the practicality and space of a crossover, combined with the fuel efficiency of a hybrid. Once you throw in the extremely keen price of the Niro ($112,999 as of 17th February), then you start to really get its appeal.
What does 'The Best of Both Worlds' mean? No, the Niro is neither the best crossover nor the best hybrid available. But you could certainly make the case that it picks and chooses the best qualities from being both a crossover and a hybrid, and puts it together in a single, cohesive and attractive package.
And in this sense, the Niro is the best of both worlds, because even in its first iteration, it's easily the best, most value-for-money hybrid crossover you can get right now. And with its keen price tag, the Niro is primed to start conquering our roads.
What We Like
Impressive fuel economy of 19.4km/L
High level of equipment
Well-priced at $112,999
Easy to live with
What We Dislike
Hybrid powertrain isn't the most refined
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the all new Kia Niro.
The Ni-what?
The Niro. If you have never heard of this model before, we don't blame you. The Niro is Kia's newest offering, an all new hybrid crossover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) that marks the brand's latest developments in green technologies.
Flip open a Niro brochure and the first words you see are 'The Best of Both Worlds', which is quite the bold statement. And on paper, the Niro has a lot going for it. It officially received a Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption driving across the U.S.A from coast to coast, clocking an incredible 32.6km/L.
Is it any good as a crossover?
The Niro sits at the bottom of Kia's current SUV range, and as a crossover, it's good by most standards. Stylistically, it's modern and sharp-looking, with sculpted surfaces and key design cues like the brand's signature 'tiger-nose' grille. According to Kia, the styling was led by design centres in both U.S.A and Korea, and that shows. Visually, the Niro looks like a collection of great design ideas.
The Ni-what?
The Niro. If you have never heard of this model before, we don't blame you. The Niro is Kia's newest offering, an all new hybrid crossover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) that marks the brand's latest developments in green technologies.
Flip open a Niro brochure and the first words you see are 'The Best of Both Worlds', which is quite the bold statement. And on paper, the Niro has a lot going for it. It officially received a Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption driving across the U.S.A from coast to coast, clocking an incredible 32.6km/L.
Is it any good as a crossover?
The Niro sits at the bottom of Kia's current SUV range, and as a crossover, it's good by most standards. Stylistically, it's modern and sharp-looking, with sculpted surfaces and key design cues like the brand's signature 'tiger-nose' grille. According to Kia, the styling was led by design centres in both U.S.A and Korea, and that shows. Visually, the Niro looks like a collection of great design ideas.
The interior offers up all the practicality and appeal of a crossover. There's generous space for five, and you get 427 litres of boot space, expandable to 1,425 litres with the rear seats folded flat.
As with most of Kia's latest offerings, you get a wealth of features and equipment usually reserved for cars a class above - ventilated front seats, Auto Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, electrically adjusted driver's seat with memory function, even a wireless smartphone charger.
In terms of the car's ride and handling, it's nothing out of the ordinary. The driving position is nice and high, offering good visibility. The suspension, however, is too soft for our liking. While good for long cruises on the highway, take the Niro into a few corners and it will pitch from side to side. That mentioned, this shouldn't be a priority for buyers of crossovers.
As with most of Kia's latest offerings, you get a wealth of features and equipment usually reserved for cars a class above - ventilated front seats, Auto Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, electrically adjusted driver's seat with memory function, even a wireless smartphone charger.
In terms of the car's ride and handling, it's nothing out of the ordinary. The driving position is nice and high, offering good visibility. The suspension, however, is too soft for our liking. While good for long cruises on the highway, take the Niro into a few corners and it will pitch from side to side. That mentioned, this shouldn't be a priority for buyers of crossovers.
Is it any good as a hybrid?
What makes the Niro intriguing is the fact that it also reaches into this second world - the burgeoning world of hybrids. For the company's first go at making a hybrid, we must say that the Niro is pretty commendable.
The 1.6-litre 'Kappa' GDI engine (producing 104bhp and 147Nm of torque) combines with a 1.56kWh lithium-polymer battery pack and a 32kW electric motor to produce a total output of 139bhp and 265Nm of torque. As far as fuel efficiency is concerned, the Niro actually performs remarkably well - over two days of driving the car, we achieved 19.4km/L, which is mighty impressive for an SUV.
However, you can also tell that Kia is still new to the hybrid game. The powertrain lacks refinement in the way electric and petrol power melds together. Having recently driven the Toyota Prius (a car that has long established itself as the hybrid benchmark), it's apparent that the Niro is still finding its feet.
The delivery of power, while certainly usable, can at times feel incoherent and disjointed. If you pay some attention, you can distinctly feel the three modes of power delivery - electric first, petrol next, then the two combined - when you accelerate. It lacks the seamlessness that you get from the Prius.
What makes the Niro intriguing is the fact that it also reaches into this second world - the burgeoning world of hybrids. For the company's first go at making a hybrid, we must say that the Niro is pretty commendable.
The 1.6-litre 'Kappa' GDI engine (producing 104bhp and 147Nm of torque) combines with a 1.56kWh lithium-polymer battery pack and a 32kW electric motor to produce a total output of 139bhp and 265Nm of torque. As far as fuel efficiency is concerned, the Niro actually performs remarkably well - over two days of driving the car, we achieved 19.4km/L, which is mighty impressive for an SUV.
However, you can also tell that Kia is still new to the hybrid game. The powertrain lacks refinement in the way electric and petrol power melds together. Having recently driven the Toyota Prius (a car that has long established itself as the hybrid benchmark), it's apparent that the Niro is still finding its feet.
The delivery of power, while certainly usable, can at times feel incoherent and disjointed. If you pay some attention, you can distinctly feel the three modes of power delivery - electric first, petrol next, then the two combined - when you accelerate. It lacks the seamlessness that you get from the Prius.
The Niro also lacks low-end electric kick, which means that unless you really mash the throttle, moving off from a standstill is pretty lacklustre. However, get up to speed and acceleration becomes much more palatable.
Is it really 'The Best of Both Worlds'?
If you trust the marketing materials then, yeah, sure. But the reality is that while it wants to be the best of both worlds, and does an impressive job of it, it falls slightly short.
It's easy for us to criticise the Kia Niro for being an imperfect crossover and an imperfect hybrid. However, what the Niro manages to do is to tick all the necessary boxes when it comes to satisfying customers' needs. You get the practicality and space of a crossover, combined with the fuel efficiency of a hybrid. Once you throw in the extremely keen price of the Niro ($112,999 as of 17th February), then you start to really get its appeal.
What does 'The Best of Both Worlds' mean? No, the Niro is neither the best crossover nor the best hybrid available. But you could certainly make the case that it picks and chooses the best qualities from being both a crossover and a hybrid, and puts it together in a single, cohesive and attractive package.
And in this sense, the Niro is the best of both worlds, because even in its first iteration, it's easily the best, most value-for-money hybrid crossover you can get right now. And with its keen price tag, the Niro is primed to start conquering our roads.
Is it really 'The Best of Both Worlds'?
If you trust the marketing materials then, yeah, sure. But the reality is that while it wants to be the best of both worlds, and does an impressive job of it, it falls slightly short.
It's easy for us to criticise the Kia Niro for being an imperfect crossover and an imperfect hybrid. However, what the Niro manages to do is to tick all the necessary boxes when it comes to satisfying customers' needs. You get the practicality and space of a crossover, combined with the fuel efficiency of a hybrid. Once you throw in the extremely keen price of the Niro ($112,999 as of 17th February), then you start to really get its appeal.
What does 'The Best of Both Worlds' mean? No, the Niro is neither the best crossover nor the best hybrid available. But you could certainly make the case that it picks and chooses the best qualities from being both a crossover and a hybrid, and puts it together in a single, cohesive and attractive package.
And in this sense, the Niro is the best of both worlds, because even in its first iteration, it's easily the best, most value-for-money hybrid crossover you can get right now. And with its keen price tag, the Niro is primed to start conquering our roads.
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