THE KIA Niro is a small SUV that’s about the identical dimension as its Seltos sibling, however moreover out there in petrol-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid or battery-electric guises. The five-seat household SUV is obtainable in two trim grades per engine kind – S or Sport – for a complete of six variants all informed.
The Niro vary begins at $39,990 (plus-on highway prices) for the Hybrid S by way of to an eye-watering $65,990 (+ORCs) for the top-of-the-range Niro EV Sport examined right here.
We are saying eye-watering as a result of, pretty much as good as it’s, the BEV model of the Niro is greater than double the value of an equal petrol-powered Seltos Sport ($32,790, plus on-road prices). Even if you’re a staunch environmentalist, that premium equates to many tanks of petrol – sufficient to drive the Seltos 519,652km based mostly on present petrol costs – or to the moon and a lot of the means again.
However we digress… Kia isn’t on its Pat Malone in charging extra for the comparatively new and, due to this fact, costly expertise employed in its EV variants. We’re, under no circumstances, singling the model out.
The front-wheel-drive Niro EV twins share their drivetrain with Kia’s sister firm Hyundai’s Kona EV. Battery capability is rated to 64kWh with peak energy and torque listed at a wholesome 150kW and 395Nm respectively. When utilizing a 100kW DC quick charger, the Niro EV Sport’s battery might be charged up from totally depleted to 80 per cent cost in round 54 minutes. When hooked as much as or a home energy outlet that window will increase to all of 29 hours, nevertheless.
Kia quotes a WLTP vary of 455km for its Niro EV, which is 29km lower than the marginally smaller – and marginally lighter – Kona. On take a look at, we averaged 15.2kWh per 100km, which equates to a driving vary of roughly 421km.
However what it lacks in vary (in contrast with the Kona EV), the Niro makes up for in house. Cabin lodging, particularly within the again seat, is appreciably extra beneficiant than the twin-under-the-skin Kona, whereas baggage capability additionally romps forward with 451 litres over the Kona’s 332 litres.
Tools ranges see inclusions corresponding to regenerative braking, keyless entry, leather-accented seats with eight-way energy adjustment for the motive force, a leather-bound multifunction steering wheel, computerized LED headlights, in addition to LED daytime running- and tail-lights.
Infotainment comes courtesy of a ten.25-inch touchscreen with wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, multi-connection Bluetooth, digital radio, native sat nav, a reversing digicam, plus an eight speaker DBL audio system.
The Niro EV Sport additionally presents a alternative of 4 drive modes (Regular, Eco, Eco+ and Sport), paddle shifters for the adjustable regenerative braking system, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror, metallic-finish pedals, single-zone local weather management and 18-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin rubber.
Security equipment is, likewise, nicely sorted and, would possibly we add, splendidly nicely calibrated. The Niro vary consists of, as customary, seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking with car-, pedestrian- and bike owner detection, lane-keep help, lane-follow help, good cruise management and driver-attention alert with the Sport grade including blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert.
Service intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km and capped-price servicing is offered. Upkeep pricing tallies $1164 over three-, $1728 over five-, and $2803 over seven years. All Niro EVs are lined by Kia’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee, however the batteries and motors are solely lined as much as 150,000km (guess you’re not taking that journey to the moon, eh?).
