October 2022
DRIVES
A Kia Niro For Everyone Niro plots the way to an all-electric future, writes James Stinson. Buyers are more and more interested in what’s powering their cars these days. For some, the time to go electric has arrived; for others, the path to electrification is a destination that will likely be reached through hybrid or plug-in hybrid cars first. Electric cars (EVs) are cleaner, quieter and cheaper to run but they’re also a good bit more expensive to buy. Range has improved dramatically with the best now coming in well north of 200 miles and more. They make most sense as a company car option because of the very low BIK tax rates. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVS) – cars that combine battery and petrol power - are less expensive and also quite cheap to run. They’ll run on battery power alone for 30-40 miles and will drive as far as you like so long as there’s petrol in the tank. They’re also a decent company car option. And then there is standard hybrids (HEVs). These are the cheapest of the lot but more expensive to run. Using a small
on-board battery, these will travel very short distances on battery power alone but for most of the time run just like a conventional petrol car though with much improved economy and lower emissions. There isn’t a right or wrong answer to which one you choose. Much depends on what you can afford, what type of driving you do and whether you can charge at home. Thankfully, Kia gives you a choice of all three with its latest Niro. The Niro – a compact SUV – was first launched in 2016 and has been a big seller ever since. This second-generation Niro sees incremental improvements across the range making an already very good car, even better. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions use the same 1.6 litre petrol engine and six speed gearbox but the PHEV has a more powerful electric motor. This gives it a combined output of 180bhp, versus the 139bhp in the regular hybrid. Despite this, it isn’t a whole lot quicker, getting
from 0-62mph in 9.6 seconds, compared to 10.4 in the HEV. The fastest Niro by far is the EV, which thanks to its 201bhp powertrain can go from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds and reach a 104mph top speed. Range on the electric only model is now up to 285 miles. The trick with the plug-in hybrid over the regular hybrid is the electric only range, which has been extended to 39 miles. If you keep the battery charged and use it mostly in electric mode only - in and around town - it can deliver claimed mpg north of 300 mpg. The standard (and cheaper) hybrid is pretty good on the economy front too with a claimed mpg of 60mpg, while adopting a slow and steady driving style will help get you closest to these figures. Elsewhere, the new Niro looks a good bit more striking than its predecessor, taking many design cues from the recently launched EV6. The interior is unfussy with plenty of soft touch materials, gloss black finishes and chrome-
like detailing to the fore. The cabin is airy and spacious with plenty of room for leggy passengers, front and back. Boot space varies by powertrain. The most spacious is the EV with an impressive 475 litres. The hybrid comes next with a respectable 451 litres while plug-in hybrid comes in with just 348 litres, because the battery is located at the rear. The trim level line-up remains unchanged with the Niro kicking off with the entry-level ‘2’, then the ‘3’ and finally top-spec ‘4’. Equipment levels are among the most generous around with all models getting 16-inch alloy wheels, dual LED headlights, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, an 8-inch touchscreen and a towing pack as standard. Pricing for the cheapest 2 Hybrid model starts at £27,745, with the Niro plug-in hybrid starting at £33,525. The allelectric Niro EV is the most expensive option; available from £36,425.
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