The new Kia Niro has been revealed and is expected to cost £27,000 when it goes on sale later this year.
The new car's eye-catching styling marks it out from the inoffensive but equally forgettable old model. Its fresh look brings it into line with the new Sportage which sits above it in Kia's SUV line-up.
Parallels can also be from the Sportage's interior. The Niro gets the same huge infotainment screen that stretches from behind the steering wheel to the centre of the dashboard, and you get the same dual-purpose buttons found in the Sportage. The Niro is also available with a head-up display, wireless phone charging and ambient interior colours with 74 different shades to choose from.
Kia has stretched the Niro's wheelbase by 20mm, which should free up more rear legroom and its boot has also gained 15 litres – up to 451 litres in total – meaning it'll be better at hauling around your family and your stuff than the car it replaces. Naturally, the cabin is full of smaller storage areas and has handy features like USB-C plugs, cup holders and coat hangers that are integrated into the backs of the front seats.
From launch, you'll be able to buy the Niro as a hybrid that uses an electric motor and petrol engine to produce 141PS combined via a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Expect it to have a short electric range that will give the car 50mpg fuel economy. It can switch to electric mode automatically when it detects you're driving in town.
A PHEV model capable of even better fuel economy will arrive later in the model's life along with a pure electric model that'll have a range of around 250 miles.
Whichever version you go for, the Niro has been set up to be very comfortable, with light steering and suspension that should smooth out bumps. It also added sound deadening compared to the old model.
The Niro comes with Kia's DriveWise intelligent Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, which mean it can drive itself on motorways and A-roads, brake for cars, pedestrians and cyclists both on the move and when pulling out of junctions.
We'll have more info on the new Niro in the coming months.
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