“Do because the locals do” is a standard line of recommendation when travelling – as a automotive man, driving on the identical roads as locals is my thought of doing simply that.
Off the again of the BMW i5 launch in Portugal, I took the chance to go to my family in Barcelona and was lucky sufficient to wrangle a Kia Niro HEV for the close to week-long keep there.
I figured it will be a distinct strategy to see my Mum’s homeland, and provides me the chance to discover solo (which I did). It will additionally give me the prospect to strive the Niro in a distinct setting – with higher-speed roads and differing landscapes, for starters.
The decked-out take a look at automotive equipped to us additionally featured some issues that we don’t get right here in Australia, which I’ll contact on within the evaluate.
Gracias to our pals at Kia Spain for our mortgage of the Niro HEV whereas I used to be overseas!
How does the Kia Niro fare vs its rivals?
View an in depth breakdown of the Kia Niro in opposition to equally sized automobiles.
Kia
Niro
How a lot does the Kia Niro Hybrid price?
The highest-spec Niro HEV Emotion I drove in Spain retails from €34,954 in Spain, which works out to $58,329 AUD. In Australia, the equal Niro HEV GT-Line lists for $50,580 plus on-road prices.
Whereas the boxy electrified Kia is one thing of a premium proposition within the Australian market, it’s effectively positioned in Spain in opposition to the likes of the Honda HR-V e:HEV (from €35,010/$58,321 AUD), Nissan Qashqai e-Energy (from €33,150/$55,223 AUD) and Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid (from €37,800/$62,969 AUD).
That’s in stark distinction to Down Beneath, the place the Niro HEV GT-Line is priced in keeping with the bigger Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 2WD Hybrid ($51,410) and the top-trim Qashqai e-Energy Ti ($51,590). You will get into the HR-V e:HEV and Corolla Cross Hybrid in Australia for hundreds much less.
Our take a look at automotive was optioned with the Pack Luxurious (€2700/$ AUD) and the distinctive Orange Delight C-pillar (€150/$ AUD), bringing the as-tested value to €37,804 ($62,976 AUD). I known as it the ‘HabaNiro’ spec, given the idea that previewed the most recent Niro was proven in an identical color scheme. We don’t get the orange pillar possibility right here both.
What’s the Kia Niro Hybrid like on the within?
Apart from the dashboard being mirrored for left-hand drive, it’s all acquainted fare within the Spanish-spec Niro HEV.
The highest-spec Emotion in Spain is fitted out very like our GT-Line in Australia, although the elective Pack Luxurious provides some niceties which are up to now forbidden fruit in Australian specification.
Up entrance the driving force and passenger get heated and ventilated seats, with the pilot getting electrical adjustment with reminiscence presets – Australia misses out on the reminiscence perform in the interim.
Kia’s acquainted dual-10.25-inch cockpit is right here, with absolutely digital devices and a touchscreen infotainment show that includes embedded satellite tv for pc navigation, linked providers, in addition to wired smartphone mirroring.
I seen the Euro-market Niro’s linked navigation gives insights into low-emissions zones like Barcelona’s CBD – which is cool to have in markets that require it, although the Niro HEV isn’t topic to the town’s restrictions round higher-emitting automobiles having the ability to enter throughout the week between 7:00AM and eight:00PM.
As we’ve mentioned concerning the Australian mannequin, the entrance seats are high quality however slightly vast and missing in assist. It could rely in your top and physique kind although – I’m a lean 6’1 and discover them to be okay, although I’d like extra bolstering.
The leatherette trim feels of a top quality however the attention-grabbing sample might not be to all tastes. I additionally am not an enormous fan of the swathes of piano black surfaces, which look nice in pictures and on a clear showroom automotive, however are very vulnerable to fingerprints and scratches over time in the actual world.
Construct high quality feels fairly stable, with loads of soft-touch surfaces and a sense of solidity how every thing suits collectively. The configurable contact bar that doubles up because the infotainment shortcuts in addition to the local weather controls can also be one of many higher implementations of touch-based switchgear in our expertise.
The open plan cockpit design additionally makes this in any other case little automotive really feel very spacious. There’s a really ethereal really feel in each rows, and there’s heaps of storage to maintain your free objects stowed whereas in transit – the configurable cupholder part is especially of observe, as is the deep cubby underneath the centre console.
That feeling of spaciousness extends to the rear, with the Niro providing heaps of head and legroom within the second row even for taller passengers. Whereas the rear seats are even flatter than the fronts, it means you possibly can sit three throughout in higher consolation if that you must squeeze extra individuals in.
Rear air vents and a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders headline the second-row facilities, with airline-style map pockets on the entrance seatbacks and USB-C cost ports on the interior sides of each entrance seats additionally that includes.
The Pack Luxurious possibility provides heated rear seats which we don’t get in Australia, a pleasant high-end addition, although the small sunroof doesn’t prolong into the second row like bigger panoramic models.
Must you desire a city-friendly crossover with most rear passenger area – be mindful you get the requisite anchorage for ISOFIX seats and top-tethers – this could possibly be a unusual answer for you.
Open up the facility tailgate and there’s 425 litres of bags capability, which is a match for automobiles within the dimension class above – a Mazda CX-5 gives 438L/1340L, for reference.
The world itself is vast, sq. and flat, and expands to a powerful 1419L with the rear seats folded. Whereas there’s a step as much as the seatbacks in its max quantity setting, the ground folds upwards to even out the distinction in top.
Boot options embody a foldable cargo cowl, in addition to baggage internet hooks and a lightweight. In contrast to the Niro EV, which will get a tyre restore equipment, the Niro HEV comes with a space-saver spare underneath the ground.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Energy within the Niro HEV comes from a 1.6-litre GDI naturally aspirated petrol engine teamed with a transmission-mounted everlasting magnet synchronous electrical motor and a 1.32kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The direct-injected petrol engine develops 77.2kW (5700rpm) and 144Nm (4000rpm) by itself, whereas the electrical motor contributes an additional 32kW and 170Nm – system outputs are quoted as 104kW (5700rpm) and 265Nm (4000rpm).
Drive is shipped to the entrance wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Kia claims the Niro HEV GT-Line ought to speed up from 0-100km/h in round 10.8 seconds, by the way 0.4s slower than the bottom mannequin in Australia.
The all-important gas consumption determine is a thrifty 4.0L/100km on the mixed cycle (ADR), with the Niro HEV rated to run on common 91 RON unleaded. The gas tank measures 42L, which means theoretically you need to be capable of get 1000km on a tank based mostly on Australian specs. CO2 emissions for the Niro HEV are quoted at 91g/km.
In opposition to more durable WLTP testing, the EU-market Niro HEV quotes consumption of 4.4-4.6L/100km, and CO2 emissions of 100-105g/km. Kia Australia says the Niro HEV can tow as much as 1300kg, with a max towball obtain of 100kg.
How does the Kia Niro Hybrid drive?
The roads in Spain are a bit completely different than Australia, so I used to be actually eager to see how the Niro dealt with the situations in Barcelona based mostly off my earlier expertise with the hybrid crossover in Melbourne.
Leaving the Barcelona Airport, I took a sequence of highways en path to Manresa which was about an hour north of the capital, with pace limits starting from 80 to 120km/h.
The flatter sections of four-lane freeway leaving the town have been no points for the Niro at 80km/h, because it seamlessly shuffled between energy sources at a cruise. Kia’s Freeway Driving Help did the majority of the work for me, preserving a secure distance from any automobiles forward whereas additionally preserving the Niro properly centred in its lane.
I rapidly realised lane etiquette right here is much better than Down Beneath, with the skin lane strictly left for these desirous to overtake or journey slightly faster. I’m advised pace limits aren’t strictly policed like they’re right here, and that was evident within the quantity of motorists whizzing previous me at 20-30km/h over the signed restrict, normally in very common equipment.
NVH insulation was stable whilst we hit the higher-speed freeways with their Sydney-like concrete slab floor, with some tyre roar emanating from beneath the automotive at 120-130km/h, but it surely’s removed from unrefined. Even at these speeds, the Niro HEV’s drivetrain felt greater than satisfactory regardless of its measly outputs on paper.
It additionally rides fairly effectively, regardless of having a barely firmer setup and our high-grade mannequin’s bigger 18-inch alloys and lower-profile 225/45 tyres in comparison with the 205/60 R16 rolling inventory of decrease variants. It’s good and settled on the freeway and dealt with pace humps and potholes within the Manresa township fairly effectively.
The naturally aspirated hybrid drivetrain does run out of puff for those who strive flooring it at triple figures or up hills, but it surely’s greater than able to fortunately travelling at 10-20km/h above the same old pace limits we’re used to in Australia.
Even at 120km/h you’ll see the little EV mode mild up because the Niro slips into silence when coasting or going doing hills to avoid wasting gas, and it’ll fireplace up once more rapidly once you hit the throttle and require the complete 104kW and 265Nm on faucet. At full throttle, the cabin gives first rate insulation from the ICE powertrain in comparison with another hybrid rivals.
Whereas the drivetrain’s outputs received’t take your breath away, the Kia makes essentially the most of what it’s acquired because of stable low-end response from the electrical motor, and a reasonably seamless transition to hybrid or ICE-only energy once you want a bit extra. Having a DCT as a substitute of a CVT takes some getting used to, however I desire it from an engagement perspective.
The C-16 and C-55 highways out of Barcelona have quite a few bends which are fairly enjoyable to deal with on the signed 120km/h pace restrict. It was right here that I used to be reminded of the Niro’s fairly deft dealing with traits, providing pretty flat cornering and a hunkered down, secure really feel that conjures up confidence in these situations.
On one event I drove from Manresa to Barcelona Airport in what can solely be described as torrential rain, and regardless of being solely front-wheel drive the Niro HEV felt rock stable at freeway speeds within the moist and in opposition to crosswinds. I used to be very impressed.
I additionally spent at some point in a while in my keep driving into Barcelona CBD – I received’t lie, I used to be slightly daunted at first however as soon as I hit the large smoke, the little Kia proved to be an ideal city companion. Even within the tight confines of Manresa’s suburban streets, the Niro was effectively sized, simply manoeuvrable and spent lots of time in EV mode to avoid wasting gas and scale back emissions.
The Niro is properly sized for high-traffic European cities, and the tall glasshouse means visibility is fairly good save for the thick C-pillars – although blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assists will actively intervene if it detects an approaching automobile.
A far larger portion of electrical drive was carried out within the metropolis too, with the signed pace limits of 30-40km/h which means the Niro might spend extra time utilizing simply e-power with the petrol engine solely kicking in up sharper inclines or after we wanted to make a faster gun for it.
Gas consumption for the week was fairly spectacular. I travelled 689km throughout my time with the Niro and averaged an indicated 5.0L/100km – I returned the automotive with slightly below 1 / 4 of a tank. Not dangerous in any respect.
What do you get?
Right here’s a rundown of the Australian vary first.
Niro HEV S highlights:
16-inch alloy wheelsLED daytime operating lightsAutomatic headlightsRain-sensing wipersPowered, auto-folding exterior mirrors10.25-inch digital instrument cluster8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWireless Apple CarPlay, Android AutoDAB/AM/FM tunerLeather-trimmed steering wheelPaddle shifters (regen management)Twin-zone local weather controlCloth and synthetic leather-based trim6-way powered driver’s seatAdaptive cruise management with cease/go
Niro HEV GT-Line provides:
18-inch alloy wheels10-inch head-up display10.25-inch central touchscreenSatellite navigationApple CarPlay, Android Auto (wired)Kia Join app connectivityDistant Good Park AssistKeyless entry and startArtificial leather-based seat trimHeated, ventilated entrance seatsGloss black exterior mirror trimLED headlights, fog lightsRear privateness glassLaminated entrance door glassMetal scuff plates, pedalsGloss black inside trim highlightsFront ambient lightingWireless telephone chargerDual rear map pocketsTwo-tone paint choices
Our Spanish take a look at automotive got here with the elective ‘Pack Luxurious’ (€2700), which provides:
Head-up displayDriver reminiscence functionHeated, ventilated entrance seatsHeated outer rear seatsPremium Leisure Seat, passengerHarman/Kardon premium audioPowered sunroof
Kia Australia at the moment doesn’t provide reminiscence presets for the driving force’s seat, heated rear seats, Premium Leisure Seat, Harman/Kardon premium audio nor a sunroof on the native GT-Line grade. Our specification additionally misses out on the prolonged navigation performance of the adaptive cruise management system, dubbed Freeway Driving Help.
This semi-autonomous help function routinely activates adaptive cruise and lane centring on the freeway, can gradual the automotive for corners on freeways, and may routinely regulate the set pace to comply with signed pace limits. I’ll cowl the real-world performance within the driving part.
It’s a disgrace that the Niro HEV doesn’t provide the complete catalogue of obtainable options in Australia regardless of its premium pricing Down Beneath. Maybe more unusual is the truth that a few of these options are supplied on the Niro EV GT-Line domestically.
Is the Kia Niro Hybrid secure?
The newest Kia Niro vary is roofed by a five-star ANCAP security ranking with 2022 datestamp, based mostly on Euro NCAP testing of the Niro EV.
It scored 88 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 84 per cent for baby occupant safety, 76 per cent for weak street consumer safety and 87 per cent for security help.
Commonplace security gear consists of:
8 airbags incl. front-centre airbagAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detectionJunction assistReverse AEBBlind-spot assistRear cross-traffic assistDriver consideration monitoringHigh Beam Help (auto high-beam)Clever Velocity Restrict AssistLane Following AssistLane maintain assistLeading Automobile Departure AlertParking sensors entrance, rearRear Occupant AlertReversing cameraSafe Exit AssistSafe Exit Warning
How a lot does the Kia Niro Hybrid price to run?
Like the broader Kia vary, the Niro is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia. Additional, the high-voltage parts (e.g. battery, e-motor) are lined for seven years or 150,000 kilometres.
Scheduled upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first. Whereas the size of this system is a optimistic, the exxy pricing per go to just isn’t.
Kia Niro HEV service pricing:
12mths or 15,000km: $27624mths or 30,00km: $65336mths or 45,000km: $37048mths or 60,000km: $103560mths or 75,000km: $31172mths or 90,000km: $81884mths or 105,000km: $533
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Niro Hybrid
Whereas a distinct segment providing in Australia, it’s straightforward to see why the Niro stays fairly a preferred automotive in Europe and the UK.
My time with the Niro HEV in Barcelona proved simply how succesful and environment friendly the electrified crossover is as a each day all-rounder, but in addition jogged my memory what a disgrace it’s that its value positioning relegates it to area of interest standing domestically.
It gives people-carrying functionality that rivals automobiles from the scale section above, an honest boot and the kind of gas effectivity that’s at the moment solely supplied by Toyota’s tremendous thrifty hybrids. Plus, its extra compact dimensions are extra city-friendly, and the sportier tuning make this a little bit of enjoyable to drive in mundane on a regular basis situations.
That’s why it’s such a disgrace the Australian mannequin is priced so excessive to the purpose it’s typically not within the consideration set for Aussie patrons. So many one thing like a hybrid Toyota Corolla Cross or RAV4 however not prepared to take a seat in line for 2 years could possibly be so effectively served by the Kia – if the funky appears don’t flip you off.
If Kia’s native arm can re-position the Niro HEV in order that our GT-Line, with all of the fruit accessible on this EU-spec mannequin, got here in with an asking value beginning with a ‘4’, I can’t see why we wouldn’t see extra of them on Aussie roads. Time will inform, given the upcoming arrival of the bigger Sportage Hybrid and all-electric EV5 in 2024 might imply the Niro’s future right here could also be unsure.
Click on the photographs for the complete gallery, and watch a fast video of considered one of my day journeys right here
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