Kia unveiled the second-generation Niro in November 2021 and we needed to wait till now to find the US model. Arriving on the New York Auto Present, the compact crossover is as soon as once more being provided with a alternative of three powertrains: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and purely electrical. Despite the fact that a number of months have handed for the reason that debut, we’re nonetheless a bit in awe relating to the drastically modified design derived from the 2019 Habaniro idea.
Bigger than the mannequin it replaces, the 2023 Niro stretches at 174 inches lengthy and has a wheelbase measuring 107.1 inches. On account of the elevated footprint, the electrified crossover gives a cargo capability of twenty-two.8 cubic ft behind the rear seats. The reshaped physique has lowered the drag coefficient to 0.29 and there are optionally available 19-inch wheels with a design derived from the idea’s alloys.
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As beforehand reported, the revamped Niro will get an “aero blade” on the rear pillar, completed in both the identical coloration because the physique or in a contrasting hue. Within the case of the fashions outfitted with a combustion engine – HEV and PHEV – there’s black cladding on the doorways and wheel arches. As for the EV, it comes with Metal Gray or a black trim based mostly on the physique coloration.
Very like the outside has been overhauled, the cabin has virtually nothing in widespread with that of its predecessor. The 2023 Niro boasts a totally redesigned dashboard to accommodate a pair of 10.25-inch screens, one for the instrument cluster and the opposite for the infotainment’s touchscreen.
It may be solely a mainstream crossover, nevertheless it has high-end options like ventilated entrance seats with reminiscence and facet USB ports. At a further value, Kia will throw in an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up show, and wi-fi smartphone charging. You will not need to pay additional for wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay because it comes out of the field.
Let’s discuss powertrains. The Niro HEV makes use of a 1.6-liter gasoline engine working along with a 32-kilowatt electrical motor. With the ability of the 2 mixed, the quirky crossover gives 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. By way of effectivity, Kia is focusing on 53 miles per gallon within the mixed cycle and a complete driving vary of 588 miles.
Step as much as the Niro PHEV and also you get the identical ICE however teamed up with a beefier 62-kW motor for a mixed 180 hp and 195 lb-ft. The plug-in hybrid mannequin makes use of a lithium-ion polymer battery with a capability of 11.1 kWh. A full cost takes lower than three hours supplied you are utilizing a stage 2 charger. With the battery totally replenished, the automobile is estimated to cowl 33 miles with out sipping any gasoline so long as it is working on 16-inch wheels. In comparison with its predecessor, electrical effectivity is up by a formidable 25 %.
The HEV and PHEV variations use a six-speed, dual-clutch automated transmission to ship energy to the highway. Very like the combustion-engined Niro fashions, the purely EV is front-wheel drive as properly. It makes use of an electrical motor rated at 201 hp (150 kW) that pulls its mandatory juice from a 64.8-kWh battery. You will have to attend lower than 45 minutes to cost the pack at 85 kW from 10 to 80 % through the use of a Degree 3 charger. Alternatively, it takes below seven hours to replenish the battery on a stage 2 charger at 11 kW. On a full cost, it will cowl an estimated 253 miles.
For these residing in colder climates with harsh winters, the brand new Niro will likely be optionally provided with a warmth pump in addition to a battery hotter to maximise vary. With the next-gen mannequin, Kia is giving the crossover a nifty function known as Inexperienced Zone Drive Mode, which routinely turns off the ICE in residential areas. As demonstrated within the EV6, the Niro additionally will get the vehicle-to-load (V2L) operate to show the automobile’s battery pack right into a cellular generator to energy quite a lot of gadgets.
Kia could have the 2023 Niro on sale in all 50 states this summer season, and whereas pricing has but to be disclosed, we do know it will qualify for the complete $7,500 federal tax credit score. The earlier mannequin began at $24,690 MSRP for the HEV, adopted by the PHEV at $29,590, and the EV at $39,990.
