Second Generation Kia Niro

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

Kia Niro (2020 minor change)

The Kia Niro, a hybrid crossover that runs on the same mechanical bits and bobs s the Hyundai Ioniq crossover, gained a minor change for the 2020 model year and this minor change is all about "new look, same taste" for Kia's dedicated hybrid crossover that is not as boring to drive as any Japanese hybrid crossovers it can lash into.

2020 Kia Niro

2020 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

Starting at 24,200,000 KRW MSRP, the 2020 Kia Niro follows the footsteps of the recently facelifted Hyundai ioniq and that is all about "new look, same taste" in terms of style, comfort, ecology, and tech, no doubt.

Firstly, the revised design of the facelifted Niro draws inspiration from its Niro EV variant, meaning it's got that new projector-type headlamps and fog lamps, new grille design, dual chevron-shaped LED DRLs, revised faux skid plate, rear LED combination lights, and new wheel designs to choose from. On the inside, the Niro's slightly revised with a new 7-inch instrument cluster and new 8-inch touchscreen display with the optional 10.25-inch UVO navigation system, climate control, optional paddle shifters, and others, which is good for a five-seater hybrid crossover with decent spacing inside and out.

2020 Kia Niro interior

The powertrain remains the same for the 2020 Niro, meaning you can still expect the same Kappa 1.6L GDi engine connected to a 32kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery for the hybrid model, mated to its double clutch gearbox to deliver 19.5km/L of combined fuel efficiency. On the PHEV model with the Kappa 1.6L GDi engine connected to a 44.5kW electric motor and a 6-speed Double Clutch Gearbox, that's about 18.6km/L combined with the electric driving range of 5.1km/kwh.

For safety, the facelifted Niro comes with a wide array of available Advanced Driver Assistance Systems such as the new Lane Following & Lane Keeping Assist and High Beam Assist.

One of some reasons new and existing owners to get their hands on the revised hybrid crossover that has been craving on the road for three years.

Photo: Kia Motors

Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in and Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

As South Koreans demanded for some fuel-efficient vehicles in tough times, Hyundai and Kia responded to these times with their latest PHEV offerings for the general public. For Hyundai, they have the Ioniq Plug-in for those who are living the urban lifestyle. For Kia, they have the Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Korea's first PHEV crossover made for the outgoing people. Let's take a look at these two PHEVs offered for the Korean motoring public and why they are significant to them.

2017 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in

First off, let's look at the Ioniq Plug-In, the third addition to the Ioniq range consisting of the normal hybrid model and the electric model that runs only on electric power. With prices start from 33,730,000 Korean Won until privileges applied to its pricing to make it 27,300,000 Won his is by no means the best of both worlds for the third Ioniq because with this one, they can do both things; refuel and recharge, and this is the future done right by the Koreans.

With the Kappa GDi 1.6L petrol engine producing 105PS of power coupled with the 44.5kW electric motor and a 6-speed Double Clutch Gearbox unheard from most PHEVs, this Ioniq can get through 0-100kph in 10.6 seconds and 80-120kph in 7.6 seconds, so this PHEV is very spritey with life. In EV mode, it can travel up to 46km of driving range, and fuel efficiency, it promises a combined rate of 20.5km/L. Not bad for a PHEV that weighs around one and a half ton. Because this is an Ioniq, its aerodynamic styling plays a crucial role in attaining its fuel efficiency status and that is a good thing. Even though this is just Korea's take on the Prius PHV, the Ioniq Plug-in handles like a dream and once you get a hold of it, it feels like you can forget about the stubborn image of what a PHEV looks like because the world needs a better one, not another one as you may.

Of course, because this is one of the most advanced PHEV vehicles ever made, the Ioniq Plug-in comes with Hyundai Smart Sense consists of Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist System, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Smart Cruise Control. Simple as that.

2018 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

Now, let's take a look on the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, Korea's first PHEV crossover SUV ever built. With prices start at 33,050,000 Won before government subsidy applied, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid might be the ideal fuel-efficient crossover fit enough for your quiet Sunday drives.

Like the Ioniq Plug-in, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a Kappa GDi 1.6L petrol engine producing 105PS of power coupled with the 44.5kW electric motor and a 6-speed Double Clutch Gearbox, and like the Ioniq Plug-in, you can refuel it or recharge it with the available 220V charger.

In EV mode, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid can travel up to 40km of driving range and with both the engine and the electric motor armed, it can travel up to 840km of driving range. In other words, that gives it 18.6km/L of combined fuel efficiency. Easier said than done.

With these PHEVs offered to the Korean motoring public, fuel efficiency and ecology never felt so alive and when the Japanese offered us fuel efficiency PHEVs that are too regular to drive on a day-to-day basis, the Koreans sure know how to liven it up with a little bit of driving fun that is unheard of from most PHEVs and with cars like the Ioniq and Niro, they really are heading on the right direction.

Kia Niro

As if the crossover dilemma didn't had enough problems for the rest of us, the Koreans that brought us the Sportage and the Sorento gave us a little compact crossover that some say it would be the South Korean equivalent to the Honda Vezel. Enter Niro.

2017 Kia Niro

The Kia Niro, so oddly named, they named after someone from Tinseltown and apart from its odd name, this compact crossover is slotted below the Sportage and if things get any worse for us, the Niro is a hybrid that uses the same tech as the Hyundai IONIQ. Before explaining more about the Niro's hybrid stuff, let's talk about the design.

On keen observation, the Niro looks if its been a mashup between the Soul and the Jeep Cherokee from behind but despite its odd looks, the Niro isn't half bad full stop when you take it outside on the city center or the highway or whatever you come across because from every angle, the Niro blends its peculiarness with futuristic charm.

2017 Kia Niro interior

Step into the Niro's interior and it feels very futuristic indeed thanks to its high-tech intstrumental panel, well-organized center panel, and blue-and-black accents to make it well-tailored for a compact crossover. Although this is a five-seater crossover, the Niro can accomodate up to 1,425 liters of boot space with the rear seats folded, opening up for more possibilities in terms of your next day off or two and. With the rear seats present, the Niro can accomodate just the shopping stuff from the establishments but with the rear seats folded, it's garage-sale capable.

The Niro comes with other conveniences in store to make life easier for the tech-savvy owner such as wireless charger, heated steering wheel, climate control, KRELL premium surround sound system,

2017 Kia Niro

The Kia Niro may look like your average crossover but because it has some Hyundai IONIQ know-how, expect some misery in store and time to meet the cause of the Niro's misery. It's a Kappa 1.6L GDi engine connected to a 32kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery while mated with a 6-speed double clutch gearbox. With this hybrid powertrain, it provides a total output of 141PS of power and 265Nm of torque. Fuel economy is around 19.5km/L, which is nowhere near as good as the hybrid-powered Honda Vezel.

But unlike the Vezel, the Niro behaves like a city car thanks to its clever suspension system and disc brakes, meaning that despite being a Korean-made, it behaves almost like a European compact and it feels okay to be accommodated with. It sure is a fine daily driver's car but some are concerned that the Niro may suffer the same bellyup as what happened to the Honda Vezel with the hybrid powertrain on it. Gets worse, it might suffer some throttle loss but it's too early to tell until you drive one.

2017 Kia Niro

Because the Niro is dubbed as the "Smart SUV", it features some smart tech that lives to its name Smart Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Brake, Lane Departure Warning System, and Blind Spot Detection. For safety puposes, the Niro comes with a rigid body and seven airbags.

Should you buy one? The Niro is priced at 23,240,000 Korean Won and it's bizzarely more expensive than the Sportage but despite the pricing, if you are feeling worrysome that the Sportage's diesel powertrain take the rap by the authorities because of diesel scandals, best to consider this hybrid for such reason. The Niro sure is a nice alternative to those diesel powered Kia SUVs but like the Honda Vezel, you really don't hold much hope.

Available Colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Metal Stream, Ridge Espresso, Gravity Blue, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors