KIA AUSTRALIA has introduced pricing for its second-generation Niro, with substantial value will increase being matched by a corresponding raise in options, dimensional development and wholesale revisions to the mannequin’s styling – each in and out.
Costs begin at $44,380 (plus on-road prices) for the entry-level Niro S Hybrid, rising to $50,030 (+ ORCs) for the up-spec Niro GT-Line Hybrid – will increase of $4390 and $6140 respectively towards the outgoing DE-generation Niro S and Niro Sport hybrids. For the all-electric ‘SG2’ Niro, costs are up by $2710 for the bottom S grade and $6110 for the range-topping GT-Line electrical.
The worldwide financial scenario has put upward strain on record costs and, mixed with the truth that the brand new mannequin has much more customary package, the raise within the Niro’s value of entry was not surprising.
Nonetheless, that does give the Niro EV an uncomfortable proximity to the extra technologically-advanced EV6, whose vary opens at $67,990 (+ ORCs) and includes a two-wheel drive high-spec mannequin at $74,990 (+ ORCs). It stays to be seen if Kia will modify the EV6’s value level accordingly.
As reported by GoAuto, the plug-in hybrid that stuffed out the center of the vary within the earlier DE era has been deleted for now, with Kia Australia citing very low uptake of that powertrain possibility through the DE’s transient tenure. That stated, homologation work has already been accomplished for the PHEV and it was concerned within the SG2’s native tuning programme, that means Kia’s native subsidiary might simply add it to the vary ought to prospects begin petitioning for it.
And an area suspension tune was one thing the earlier Niro missed out on because of COVID-related lockdowns. Not so this time round – the brand new Niro is the primary post-pandemic mannequin to obtain Kia Australia’s standard suspension- and steering fettling.
You’ll have to attend till subsequent week for our first drive impression of the SG2 Niro, however Kia claims the mannequin’s journey and dealing with traits have been vastly improved with this generational soar.
Cabin area can be higher than earlier than. Due to a 20mm increase to the Niro’s wheelbase and general width, plus an extended physique, the mannequin presents 36mm extra distance between its entrance and rear passengers, as much as 61mm extra rear legroom and as much as 12mm extra rear headroom. It’s load-bay capability can be extra beneficiant than earlier than, with hybrids providing 425 litres of seats-up baggage area and EV variants offering 475 litres (plus an additional 20 litres beneath the bonnet).
However for potential consumers, it’s arguably the improved design – in and out – that can command a lot of their consideration. In comparison with the conservative, inoffensive styling of the earlier mannequin, the brand new Niro ought to look far much less nameless out on the street because of sharp-edged styling, extra futuristic lamp housings and light-weight graphics, in addition to a particular contrast-colour C-pillar therapy on GT-Line variants (although solely with three particular colors out of the eight-strong palette).
It additionally brings the Niro into line with Kia’s extra fashionable merchandise, significantly the Stonic, Sorento, Sportage, EV6 and Carnival fashions. The modernisation is particularly profound on the within, with wraparound infotainment and instrument panel shows (there’s not an analogue dial to be discovered), capacitive air flow/infotainment controls (pinched from the EV6) and a rotary-type transmission selector on all variants bar the base-spec Niro S Hybrid. Nonetheless, what you’ll discover on these screens – in addition to their bodily dimension – can be decided by how a lot you spend.
The S-grade hybrid receives a primary fit-out, with a 4.2-inch LCD instrument panel and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with no built-in navigation. The S EV will get the identical infotainment display, however scores a bigger 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, which is shared with GT-Line variations.
Different customary S options which might be new for the SG2 embody a pair of USB-C cost ports for the rear passengers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, high-beam help, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot collision avoidance, an upgraded AEB system (it now works at intersections too), a centre facet airbag and, for the EV, the flexibility to run common home equipment off the battery by way of an inside energy level.
For the GT-Line, the record of recent options is significantly longer. It receives the entire new tools of the S grade, whereas including laminated entrance door glass for improved sound suppression, privateness glass behind the B-pillar, an extra family energy outlet for working exterior gadgets, ambient inside temper lighting, a ten.25-inch infotainment show with built-in satnav, a 10-inch head-up show, wi-fi telephone charger, heated and ventilated entrance seats, heated steering wheel, a powered tailgate, distant self-parking, voice-command recognition, entrance parking sensors (along with the rear parking sensors which might be already customary), in addition to reverse AEB.
GT-Line EVs get much more, with power-adjustable entrance seats (the hybrid solely has a powered driver’s seat), a “Premium Rest Seat” for the entrance passenger, LED inside lighting and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.
The GT-Line additionally presents one thing box-fresh for Kia: its first complete telematics suite. Kia Join, which includes vehicular capabilities right into a telephone app, permits monitoring of key stats distant activation of charging, local weather management or engine begin, geofencing and different restrictions, and so forth.
The hybrid is powered by a 77kW/144Nm 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine and a 32kW/170Nm permanent-magnet synchronous electrical motor, with drive going to the entrance wheels by way of a six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. The powertrain’s mixed outputs are listed at 104kW and 265Nm – an identical numbers to the DE Niro, however achieved by way of inside refinements that yield decrease friction, the next compression ratio and decrease weight. Its claimed combined-cycle gas consumption is 4.0 L/100km, however these seeking to burn no unleaded have the choice of the fully-electric variant.
The Niro EV’s 150kW electrical motor is a legacy unit, however has had its torque output downgraded from the DE’s 395Nm to a extra sedate 255Nm. Kia says the outdated mannequin had extra torque than it knew what to do with and the downgrade has enhanced driveability (our take a look at drive will assess that declare.
A 64.8kWh battery pack accommodates sufficient vitality for a claimed 460km vary, with cost occasions dropping barely throughout the board – although you’ll want just below 9.5 hours to get a full cost on a 7kW wall field. A DC quick charger can take the Niro EV from 10 to 80 % cost in 45 minutes.
Kia says provide needs to be satisfactory at launch. Nonetheless, with latest expertise with the EV6 displaying that demand for electrical vehicles is very wholesome – and demand for hybrids of every kind being equally robust – Kia’s new Niro could show to be a lot hotter property than its predecessor.
2023 Kia Niro pricing*:
Niro S Hybrid (a) $44,380
Niro S EV (a) $65,300
Niro GT-Line Hybrid (a) $50,030
Niro GT-Line EV (a) $72,100
*Excludes on-road prices
