Launched in 2016, the Kia Niro is a hybrid crossover that rivals the Honda Vezel by all means necessary. With the arrival of the second-generation Niro, the hybrid crossover is now fully prepared to take on the new normal with its new and improved looks, interior, performance, ecology, and tech that will bring the Honda Vezel to its knees, if you know what I mean. Let's investigate.
The all-new Kia Niro, which starts at 26,600,000 Korean Won, now shares almost nothing in common with its predecessor because the team that designed it truly mean it because rather than reskin the previous model, they've decided to go back to square one and create a Niro that will blend through the new normal. This is the result and this full model change really means a lot for this new model because checking through the design, the all-new Niro draws inspiration from the HabaNiro concept, which is rather nice for this new model, but look harder and you'll know it has the impression of a French car. Weird but it works. Besides, the C pillar on the new model adds a nice ring to it.
Step into the interior and the new Niro borrows the dashboard layout from the EV6, which is a rather surprising move for Kia to nick one of their own like an artist copying one of his own materials for use on his new work. Because the new interior went for the minimalist, driver-focused approach, some will have a hard time adjusting the aircon because it can only be operated on the sat-nav touch screen. That sounds hassling but on the plus side, in case you want to turn off the radio or change the stations, there's a button for that. Speaking of the sat-nav, it comes with the Greenzone Drive Mode, which automatically sets the car to EV mode while driving at residential areas or nearby schools and hospitals, anywhere that is marked as a Green Zone. It even comes with an available built-in cam in case you're in the mood for plucking sweet potatoes on the main road if you know what I mean.
In the name of consciousness for the environment, most of the materials in the interior are now made of recyclable materials, meaning this crossover has a guilt-free atmosphere.
Despite being shorter than the previous model, the all-new Niro is longer and wider than its predecessor, meaning it has slightly more room in the back for people and luggage at the back, fit for everyday hustlers making a living on their everyday lives.
Now running on Hyundai Motor Group's third-generation platform, the all-new Kia Niro is now more vivacious and rousing to drive than its predecessor. It's also more rigid as well. Under the hood, the hybrid powerplant now features the Smartstream G1.6 petrol engine with 105PS of power connected to a 32PS electric motor and Li-ion battery. Mated to a 6-speed double-clutch gearbox, the new model delivers 20.8km/L of fuel economy, an improvement compared to the old Niro but not enough to bring down the Honda Vezel e:HEV by a long shot, which is interesting because while the Vezel is available with 4WD, the all-new Niro doesn't because it's only available with front-wheel-drive. Boo. On the plus side, because it's got the most sophisticated suspension setup, the new Niro can zip through the Vezel in the handling department, especially on twisted European roads.
In the interest of safety, the all-new Niro comes with Highway Driving Assistance, Remote Smart Parking Assistant, Safe Exit Assist, Rear-side collision avoidance assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, among many others.
And there you have it, the all-new Kia Niro is the definite rival to the Honda Vezel e:HEV, and even without the 4WD system that its Japanese foe has, it's still more enjoyable to drive than the Vezel by all means necessary. What a way for Kia to start the new year with the Niro's full model change and looks like they got their determined faces on following the launch of this new model.
As expected, the all-new Niro will be joined by its electric variant later this year but sadly, the Plug-in Hybrid variant will not carry on to the new model because, as a shocker for Koreans, the era of K-PHEV on Korean roads is well and truly over...for now. Shame.
Photo: Kia
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