New Kia Niro: range, prices and offers for the Spanish market

If we recently had the opportunity to carry out a first drive of the Kia Sportage at the national presentation, now we have had the chance to get up close to the new Kia Niro during a static presentation in which we were able to get acquainted with a pre-series unit, as well as learn in detail about the range and prices for the Spanish market, which we will discuss in this article. But first, a necessary review of what the second generation of a car that is already the third best-selling model from Kia brings, behind the Stonic and the Sportage, and ahead of the Xceed.

Crossover body, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric versions

As with the outgoing model, the new Kia Sportage is offered with three propulsion systems: the Niro HEV with self-charging hybrid technology and ECO label, the Niro PHEV with plug-in hybrid technology and Kia e-Niro with 100% electric propulsion, the last two with the ZERO emissions label.

Both the Niro HEV and the PHEV, the two hybrids, still rely on the 1.6 GDI naturally aspirated petrol engine as the combustion engine, with 4 cylinders and 105 CV, although with some modifications that improve efficiency. The transmission has also been revised, a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox that makes the Kia hybrids -like those of Hyundai, with which they share the propulsion system- drive and feel behind the wheel like any car with a combustion engine, something that cannot be said of all hybrids.

In the Niro HEV, which has a 1.32 kWh battery, the GDI engine is combined with a 32 kW electric motor, to deliver a system power of 141 CV. In the case of the plug-in hybrid version, the Niro PHEV, the electric motor reaches 62 kW, bringing the system power to 183 CV. The battery is 11.1 kWh, which allows the electric-mode range to be increased up to 65 km. A novelty in both hybrid versions is the smart mode for driving through low-emission zones: the system switches to electric mode when driving in zones set by the driver, or upon reaching built-up areas with roads near schools, hospitals, etc. For the plug-in hybrid Niro, the high-voltage heater is also new, which helps increase range, especially in low outside temperatures.

The Kia e-Niro, for its part, is now offered in a single version with 204 CV and a 64.8 kWh battery, to reach up to 463 km of WLTP range, slightly above the 455 km announced by the previous e-Niro with the same power and a 64 kWh battery. This version reaches a top speed of 167 km/h, electronically limited, and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. As a novelty, the battery incorporates a pre-conditioning system that ensures it reaches the optimal temperature by the programmed charging point at the destination. DC fast charging allows going from 10 to 80% battery capacity in just over 40 minutes, and it can offer bidirectional charging.

Striking design and a spacious, well-used interior

In this first contact, in which we were able to compare “in situ” the two generations of the Kia Niro, we confirmed the great leap the car has made in design. Even at first glance I would dare say its lines, especially at the front, are daring, the kind that not everyone likes… at first. The same did not happen with the new Kia Sportage, but it seems this design is catching on with the public.

I particularly like the rear much more, with that vertical arrangement of the light clusters placed far out on the bodywork, and with a roof spoiler that integrates the third brake light. The impression the car gives changes a lot depending on the body colour chosen (there are 9 options) and, above all, on the three contrast colours that can be selected for the rear pillar: orange, grey and black. Some combinations are, at least at first, hard to pull off; I mean visually. It seems to me an element that can serve as a distinction, in the style of what the Opel Mokka does, which lets you choose a contrast colour for the bonnet. But I would have preferred a Niro with a two-tone roof, rather than on the rear pillar, which in certain colour combinations even looks like an add-on. The price of this option, available for the Drive and Emotion trims, is around 200 euros.

The dimensions remain very compact, at 4.42 metres long, 1.82 wide and 1.57 high, with a wheelbase of 2.72 metres. But the new platform allows for better use of space. In the rear seats the position is not as cramped as in other electric cars with the battery in the floor, which don’t let you put your feet under the front seat and force you to bend your knees a lot. As for the boot, it reaches 451 litres for the HEV version, 343 litres in the plug-in hybrid and 475 litres in the electric version, which offers a second compartment under the front bonnet with 20 litres. The only thing that didn’t convince me in this area is that the parcel shelf is not rigid, but a very thin sort of curtain, although it has its advantages: it barely takes up space when we remove it to fold the seats down.

Connectivity, multimedia and driver assistance systems

What I really liked is the sense of cleanliness and accessibility the dashboard design conveys, with a integrated dual screen that combines the instrument display (analogue in the entry-level Niro hybrid versions) and the multimedia system under the same housing. Each has a 10.25-inch diagonal, and beneath the second one are the central climate control vents and a touch button panel with direct-access controls for the main functions, in the style of the one used in the Kia EV6 and the Sportage. Like the latter, the Niro now also offers over-the-air update capability. The cabin is also well resolved in terms of storage spaces for objects, both in the centre console and in the doors or under the armrest.

Some of the new options available are the head-up display projected onto the windscreen. Or the intelligent remote parking assistant, which lets the driver get out of the car and complete the manoeuvre from outside the vehicle, by pressing a button, so the car moves straight forwards or backwards, making it easier to park in tight spaces.

Prices of the Kia Niro for the Spanish market: up to 13,150 euros in discounts

Kia is already accepting orders for the new Niro, and deliveries of the hybrid versions will begin this very summer, while for the electric e-Niro you will have to wait until late September or early October. The range is built around the three trims already known from the previous generation: Concept, Drive and Emotion. The commercial discount that Kia offers for the Niro is 2,800 euros on the HEV versions, 2,200 on the PHEVs and 1,500 euros on the electric e-Niro. To these prices you can add discounts for financing the purchase, ranging from 1,500 to 3,580 euros. If we add the aid from the Moves Plan, of 5,000 euros for the plug-in hybrid Niro and up to 7,000 euros for the electric one, we get total discounts off the list price of up to 11,200 euros for the Niro PHEV, or 13,150 euros for the electric Niro.

These are the prices of the new Kia Niro taking into account all the discounts mentioned, except Moves. Note that, if you benefit from Moves, the 7,000 euro difference between an HEV and a PHEV drops to just 2,200 euros; and the 3,000 euro difference between a PHEV and an e-Niro becomes just 1,000 euros, due to the bigger Moves discount and because the e-Niro Concept has over 3,500 euros of discount when financing the purchase.

Kia Niro 1.6 HEV Hybrid

• Concept: 24,200 €
• Drive: 28,700 €
• Emotion: 31,200 €

Kia Niro 1.6 PHEV Plug-in Hybrid

• Concept: 31,400 €
• Drive: 35,975 €
• Emotion: 38,475 €

Kia e-Niro

• Concept: 34,400 €
• Drive: 40,260 €
• Emotion: 43,260 €

For all engine options you can opt for the design pack on the Niro Drive, at an extra cost of 500 euros, which includes tinted windows, a wireless phone charger and the digital instrument display. For the Emotion trim you can add the Luxury pack for 2,700 euros, which adds the HUD instrument display, ventilated and heated front and rear seats, a relaxation-type passenger seat, a sunroof and the Harman Kardon audio system.

Image gallery of the new Kia Niro

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverKIA Niro6 versions · from 34,220 €