Kia Niro - a car for our time
Recently, the official premiere of the new Kii model took place in sunny Barcelona. This time, the brand showed the world its latest idea - a hybrid crossover.
Market research shows that crossovers and hybrid vehicles are the fastest growing passenger car segments. Therefore, Kia decided to create a car adapted to our time by combining both of these criteria into one bag. The Niro model is designed to bridge the gap between rationalism, ecology and dynamics. The share of SUVs and crossovers is steadily growing. Currently, one in five new cars leaving the showroom is from one of these two segments. The launch of a compact hybrid crossover could be a bullseye. The car will go on sale in the near future, right after the summer holidays. The brand plans in Poland to sell 150 units by the end of 2016, with as many as 500 units next year. However, in 2017, a plug-in option will be added to the recently shown Niro (the brand expects to sell 100 units of the model with this solution).
The first impression of Niro is very positive. A beautifully traced body line, a rather massive, but at the same time light silhouette and a modern look - this is something without which a modern car does not even need to leave the factory walls. Fortunately, Niro has everything. It looks a bit like the children's version of the Sportage, which is 13 centimeters shorter, but the wheelbase has lengthened by 3 centimeters compared to the older sister. Modern details such as the rear diffuser and clean lines are easy to spot. The silhouette of the car is not bulky and powerful. Despite its large dimensions, the car looks quite light. The aerodynamics of the bodywork is also commendable. The streamlined shapes have resulted in a drag coefficient of 0,29, which certainly contributes to low fuel consumption. In Europe, the Niro will be offered in 10 exterior colors with either 16-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels.
It's worth noting that the Niro's floor was specifically designed to accommodate the hybrid powertrain and lithium-ion polymer battery, weighing just 33 kilograms. The entire structure is light and strong, with up to 53% High Strength Light Steel (AHSS). Most of the body parts are made of aluminum, which made it possible to achieve a relatively low weight of the car compared to its dimensions. Niro weighs 1425 kilograms.
Under the hood of the new Korean crossover is a 1.6-liter GDI petrol turbo engine with a capacity of 105 horsepower. However, paired with a 32 kW electric motor, we get a whopping 141 hp. and a total of 265 Nm of maximum torque. Combined with its light weight, the Niro is a highly agile vehicle that accelerates well, especially during takeoffs or at city speeds. Finally, we have a full 265 Nm available from first gear. However, the hybrid crossover takes up to 100 seconds to accelerate to 11,5 kilometers per hour, and the maximum speed is 162 km/h. However, with the electric motor supporting the combustion brother right from the start, the agility can be really pleasantly surprised. Slightly worse at highway speeds. Maintaining a constant speed is easy for Niro, but overtaking a truck is not the same as flying in a torpedo.
The hybrid vehicles available on the market have accustomed us to having a continuously variable CVT transmission on board. While it certainly has a lot to offer, the “howl” in dynamic acceleration or highway driving can be extremely annoying. Another nice surprise for the Kia Niro is the traditional six-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission. Thanks to this, the operation of the electric motor is possible in the entire speed range, and the cabin is quiet and calm. The gearbox seems to understand the driver's current needs, especially when it's in Sport mode. Then, when driving in the mountains, the gear ratios do not force themselves to switch to a higher gear as quickly as possible. Thanks to this, when accelerating on a slope under the right foot, we always have a sufficient supply of power.
The main premise of hybrid cars is to reduce fuel consumption. In this regard, Niro is amazing. Although we didn't have the opportunity to test it ourselves, catalog data promises urban consumption of 3,8 liters per 100 kilometers for the version with 16-inch wheels. For slightly more attractive 4,4 cars, this is already 100 l/9 km, but this is still an amazing result. Unfortunately, we didn’t drive much around Barcelona with a wrist instead of a right leg during test drives, so it’s still difficult to judge the reliability of these data. However, during dynamic mountain driving, the on-board computer showed almost 100 liters per 13 kilometers. However, it is worth noting that the purpose of this trip was to have fun and test what the new hybrid crossover of the Korean brand is really capable of. We're nothing yet! The record holders returned from the mountain trails with a consumption of about liters!
Riding through the hills around Barcelona proved to be a real challenge for the younger Kia. Relatively high ground clearance (164 mm) and a higher body did not cause high expectations when negotiating tight corners. And Spanish routes sometimes resemble typical mountain serpentines. It's amazing how well Nero feels in such conditions. Not only the power unit, which quickly responds to driver commands during dynamic acceleration, deserves praise, but also the suspension. Underneath the car, we find an independent suspension with Mac Pherson struts up front and double wishbones in the rear. Even during a mountain race, the body does not roll, as one would expect from a car in this segment. Of course, the suspension performance cannot be described as strictly sporty, but it seems to be the perfect compromise between a comfortable ride and a light sporty touch.
We must not forget about the steering system. While electric power steering works great in town, drivers often complain about it when driving more dynamically. However, in Niro's case, it's hard to blame him. The movement of the wheels feels great on the steering wheel, and the controls are as intuitive as drinking your morning coffee. Again - as with the engine - Niro is ideal for speeds of several tens of kilometers per hour. Tight turns, climbs and chicanes are no problem for him. The car handles well on the road, obediently turns exactly as the driver expects, with only slight understeer. However, after leaving the track, the steering ceases to be so well perceptible. The car floats slightly on the road and does not give the driver the same driving confidence as at slightly lower speeds.
The long wheelbase (2700 mm) makes the interior really spacious, especially considering that the Niro is 4355 mm long. In addition, the impression of a large space is reinforced by the horizontal lines of the dashboard, which optically expand the interior. Everything looks very neat and elegant. The dashboard and touchscreen on the center console are in line, and you won't find a trillion buttons around the size of a pinhead. Everything is very neat and ergonomic, and a slight tilt of the cab towards the driver makes the on-board systems extremely functional.
There is really a lot of space in the cabin, both in front and in the second row of seats. The luggage compartment volume is 427 liters, and with the rear seat backs folded down, the luggage compartment volume increases to 1425 liters. These are very good parameters, which cars larger than the Niro often cannot boast of.
What worries hybrid cars the most is battery life. This technology is relatively new and not the cheapest. However, Kia does not deviate from its current rules. All cars of the brand come with a seven-year warranty, and Niro is no exception. This can be critical in attracting new customers, who are often interested in hybrid vehicles not only for their initial price but also for their aftercare.
The Kii Niro starts at PLN 86 for the base M package. However, automatic dual-zone air conditioning, Kia Lane Keep Assist and daytime running lights, as well as LED taillights, are standard. The richest XL version costs PLN 900. However, on board we can find bi-xenon headlights, JBL audio equipment, satellite navigation, an electric driver's seat (107 directions) and many other modern automotive gadgets. On the one hand, these are not small sums, but on the other hand, due to their technological effectiveness, hybrid cars will be valued for a long time to come.
Kia Niro is really a very good car. This is a modern and dynamic crossover, almost adapted to our time. Everything seems just perfect - a pleasant silhouette, an economical powertrain, extensive standard equipment and commendable handling. We have no choice but to wait for a longer test and sales results of the Korean brand. However, all indications are that Niro may be the goose that lays the golden eggs.
