Seldomly, I discover myself scratching my head once I get a car in that basically doesn’t make sense however after spending a number of days with it, I ultimately discover out its function. This week, discovering that function was a quite painful process as there’s not a lot that I loved in regards to the 2022 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid Electrical Automobile (PHEV), which stays unchanged from final 12 months’s mannequin apart from having the brand new Kia emblem badging. To rapidly observe, Kia has totally redesigned the Niro for the 2023 mannequin 12 months receiving further energy, higher styling, and an total ‘higher’ package deal than the 2022 mannequin 12 months that you simply see right here. We’ll make sure you convey you extra info if we quickly get our fingers on the 2023 mannequin 12 months.
Efficiency and Driving Character
Kia has been a mover and shaker in getting us prepared for a way forward for mainstream Electrical Autos (EVs). Nonetheless, till then, there’s a pleasant bridge to EVs that we discover in hybrid and PHEVs. The Kia Niro is a type of ignored autos that’s nicely fitted to the frugal minded the place plugging in such a car for just a few hours yields you with as much as 26 miles of all-electric vary. That vary is used together with the fuel engine, a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that produces 104 horsepower and 109 lb-ft of torque by itself. There’s additionally an electrical motor that contributes a further 60 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque the place when it really works along with the fuel engine you have got a complete system output of 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque despatched to the entrance wheels by way of a 6-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission.
Whereas the facility numbers on paper aren’t essentially disappointing, having the 2022 Kia Niro PHEV out on the street within the real-world issues are virtually harmful because the Niro is downright gradual. Actually, to hit 60 mph from a cease you want about 10 seconds in my top-trimmed Niro PHEV EX Premium check car. You’ll end up planning your escape from a heavy visitors lane to move different autos, so that you don’t get honked at for holding up the quick lane.
Aside from the lackluster acceleration within the Niro PHEV, there’s a welcomed distinctive character about this subcompact Plug-In hybrid crossover once you depart it within the confines of inside cities and on city roads. The steering is respectable and the general experience high quality, whereas a bit agency, is agreeable for a small crossover like this. Simply don’t assume you’re going to need to take pleasure in ‘driving’ as this car is extra fitted to being a cost-effective transportation system that you need to cost as much as get the complete good thing about its Plug-In hybrid powertrain and effectivity. There are additionally small 16-inch wheels that don’t do a lot for efficiency or the cheeky look of the Niro PHEV however assist with the experience high quality with the massive sidewalls of the all-season eco-tires.
There’s a Sport drive mode that conjures up higher throttle response and can really cost up the Plug-In hybrid battery pack as you drive to be used at a later time within the default Eco drive mode. There’s a toggle for utilizing the battery and motor for propulsion solely, however the fuel engine will nonetheless kick over should you ever want full throttle. In any other case, you’ll end up utilizing full throttle typically because the midrange of the fuel pedal is commonly a lifeless spot that looks like the Niro PHEV is lifeless on arrival and solely holding its pace as an alternative of accelerating. Utilizing the electrical motor solely acceleration is definitely “okay” for cruising again roads and preserving a gentle pace on highways. Nonetheless, the fuel engine is required typically for overtaking.
Gas Economic system & EV Vary
Charging up the Niro PHEV, taking slightly over 9 hours on a 120-volt outlet or simply over two hours should you use a 240V Stage 2 charger. After a full cost, you’ll be able to let the sensible hybrid system handle energy to acquire 109 MPGe, which is on par with different PHEVs in its class however falls slightly in need of one thing like the newest Toyota Prius Prime. You’ll discover events the place you recover from 100 mpg utilizing virtually half of the small 11.4-gallon fuel tank once you begin off with a full cost of its smallish battery pack. The overall vary of a full cost and full tank of standard unleaded is about 560 miles, which is spectacular for such a small car. Utilizing the Niro PHEV as a hybrid with out charging the 8.9 kWh battery pack you’ll count on to get its EPA estimate of 46 mpg mixed the place I noticed about 52 mpg cruising downtown streets for about 46 minutes.
Inside and Expertise
The inside of the 2022 Kia Niro PHEV is an inviting area for this class of auto. There’s a stunning quantity of area to make use of the place Kia cleverly offers you loads of usable seating space, particularly up entrance for the heated and ventilated SynTex trimmed seats. There’s even a driver’s reminiscence seat setting, heated steering wheel, sensible cruise management, and the welcomed 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit – the identical that you simply discover on different larger trim-level Kia autos.
The gauge cluster is cleverly accomplished utilizing a 7-inch coloration display screen within the heart with fastened left and right-side lighted LCD components for displaying the facility meter and speedometer. There’s additionally a wi-fi telephone charger, which doesn’t bode nicely with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration solely obtainable via a USB connection.
The rear seating space can be surprisingly accommodating for the general measurement of the Kia Niro PHEV. The cargo space is respectable at 19.4 cubic toes contemplating you have got a Plug-In hybrid battery pack below the rear ground. You do have as much as 54.5 cubic toes with the rear 60/40 cut up rear seatbacks folded down. There are local weather vents within the rear, that are left to the entrance occupants to regulate the automated dual-zone local weather management system.
Security
The Kia Niro PHEV comes with the anticipated group of energetic security options, which embody blind-spot screens, ahead collision avoidance help, rear cross-traffic collision warning, lane preserving help and lane following help, main car departure alert, and sensible cruise management with cease & go. One explicit merchandise that stood out for not serving to within the security space is having halogen projector headlights that appeared quite dim at night time – one thing I feel Kia must cast off rather than present LED headlights.
Value
The Kia Niro PHEV is a good discount for the bottom trim beginning at $29,590before any charges ($33,390 for the center EX trim). Choosing the highest EX Premium trim the pricing beginning at $39,490 (38,025 as examined) will get slightly debatable should you’re the goal demographic for such a car in being frugal.
