Stand guard, BYD Atto 3 and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross! 2023 Kia Niro EV and PHEV details: New electric and plug-in hybrid SUVs get more range

The new Niro was unveiled last November, but now we know what powertrain options it has.

Kia has confirmed full powertrain details for the second-generation Niro, and the alternative-powered small SUV should hit Australian showrooms in the second half of this year.

As reported, the new entry-level powertrain option for the Niro is the Hybrid, which has a ported "self-charging" system that combines a 32kW front-mounted electric motor with a 77kW/144Nm 1.6-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine. total power 104 kW.

The mid-spec plug-in hybrid uses a similar setup, although its front electric motor now delivers 62kW (+17.5kW) to boost system output to 136kW (+32kW). It has also been upgraded to an 11.1 kWh (+2.2 kWh) lithium-ion battery that delivers a WLTP-certified 60 km electric-only range.

Both Toyota's rival C-HR Hybrid and Mitsubishi's Eclipse Cross-Challenger Plug-in Hybrid send drive exclusively to the front wheels via a familiar six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Meanwhile, the flagship EV has now been confirmed to have the same 150kW front electric motor and 64.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack as before, but its WLTP-certified range has increased to 463km (+8km).

With the BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS, an electric car can charge a battery from 10 percent to 80 percent in 43 minutes with a DC fast charger.

It should be noted that the hybrid has a load capacity of 348 liters, while the plug-in hybrid has a capacity of 451 liters (+15 liters). But it's the EV that leads the pack with its 495L split between its 475L boot (+24L) and the 20L "front", the latter being a new inclusion.

For reference, the Niro is now 4420mm (+65mm) long, 2720mm (+20mm) wheelbase, 1825mm (+20mm) wide and 1545mm (+10mm) high.

Of course, the new Niro stands out from the crowd with its distinctive look, which was unveiled with the HabaNiro concept at the New York Auto Show in April 2019.

All eyes are drawn to the two-tone paint job, particularly the C-pillars, which include deep-set boomerang taillights. There are also low-set headlights and a new version of Kia's signature "tiger nose" grille.

In terms of technology, the new Niro's new central touchscreen and digital instrument cluster measure 10.25 inches, the latter being complemented by a 10-inch windshield-projected display.

Advanced driver assistance systems have been expanded to include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with cross-traffic support and pedestrian and cyclist detection, intelligent speed limit assistance, remote parking assistance and safe exit warning.

Added to these are lane keeping and steering assist, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, active blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, driver attention alert, rear AEB, rear view camera, and front and rear parking sensors.