The times that run require maximum flexibility in terms of versions. The Kia Niro 2016 It is the Swiss multipurpose knife of the Korean firm. Born from its origins as a high efficiency model, the Niro presents a very varied mechanical variety, but with a constant; the electrification.
We have tested this car:
Test Kia Niro, a hybrid crossover on the order of the dayTest Kia Niro, we know the brand's first hybrid SUVThe first time we heard about the Niro was at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. On that occasion KIA He presented us with a prototype that actually had little to do with the final product (a shame). It was not until three years later, in 2016, when it finally did make an appearance as a production car. The KIA Niro saw the light, and since then it has achieved great success in all markets.
Since then we have seen how the model halfway between an SUV and a Crossover has undergone slight modifications, the last one in 2019 with the launch of the e-Niro, the 100% electric variant. In this way, the Koreans completed the most efficient family they have after the arrival of the normal hybrid and the subsequent union of the Niro PHEV. In 2021 its production ceases giving entry to the next generation, the 2022 KIA Nitro.
Technical characteristics of the KIA Niro 2016
For the production and development of the Niro, KIA developed from scratch a platform that was capable of housing different possible mechanical solutions. This new platform will be used in the future by more models within the company, such as KIA e-Soul, or also by sister models such as the Hyundai Ioniq.
Its measurements reveal it as a typical C-segment crossover. 4,37 meters long 1,8 meters wide and 1,56 meters high. To these measures we must add a wheelbase of 2,7 meters. Enough battle for five passengers to travel comfortably inside, although the most optimal thing is that no more than four do so.
Since we have different mechanical options, we have different trunk volumes. The largest displacement is offered by the electric variant, the e-Niro with a minimum volume of 451 liters capacity. It is followed by the hybrid Niro with 410 liters and finally it is the PHEV option that has the smallest trunk of all with just 324 liters of capacity.
Mechanical range and gearboxes of the KIA Niro 2016
As we have said from the beginning, the KIA Niro has a wide range of efficient mechanics, from a conventional hybrid to a 100% electric solution. In all cases, the power of the set goes to the front wheels, and the management is entrusted to six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearboxes for hybrids.
Both the Niro HEV and PHEV feature a 1.580cc petrol engine that develops 105 horsepower on its own.. The block is associated with another electric motor and a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1,56 kWh for the HEV and a capacity of 8,9 kWh for the PHEV. In this way the electric autonomy can be approximately two kilometers for the hybrid or 49 kilometers for the plug-in hybrid.
For its part, the electrical solution, the e-Niro presents a different scheme. Without a combustion engine, use a 204 horsepower electric motor which can be associated with two different batteries. The access version with 39 kWh of capacity and 289 kilometers of autonomy, and the option of extended autonomy of 64 kWh of capacity and 455 kilometers electric range.
Equipment of the KIA Niro 2016
When talking about its interior, we must highlight the good work that the Korean brand is doing in the latest products that it has brought to the market. They have little or nothing to do with those first models that landed in Europe. The KIA Niro is a well equipped and well finished vehicle with materials of relative quality better than what other similar models offer in price.
As usual in KIA, the equipment options are quite limited. Generous technology for access variants, but without many customization options. The range is structured in three different levels: Concept, Drive and Emotion. The aesthetic differences between one level and another are slight, but not the load of technology, which makes significant leaps.
At its access level, the Niro can have interesting elements such as the reversing camera, the air conditioning or the multimedia system with connection for mobile devices and an 8-inch screen. But that is only a small sample since you can count on: Multimedia system with 10,25-inch screen, LED headlights, keyless entry and start, navigation, heated seats, digital instrument panel, electric driver's seat and much more, including a wide range of assistants and driving aids.
Test of the KIA Niro 2016 in video
KIA Niro 2016 according to Euro NCAP
El Kia Niro, has shown in crash tests of Euro NCAP that an SUV can be a hybrid and at the same time very safe. In them, he has obtained two scores, 4 and 5 stars respectively. In the first case, without Security Pack, the score was distributed as follows. 83% and 80% protection for adult and child occupants. In case run over protection was of a discreet 57%; and lastly, it also obtained a discreet 59% in terms of driving aids.
In the second case, including the Security Pack, the score was distributed as follows. 91% and 80% protection for adult and child occupants. In the event of a collision, the protection was 70%; and finally got a 81% in terms of driving aids.
The KIA Niro of Km 0 and second hand
Sales of the KIA Niro have gone from less to more. Although they started timidly at first, in recent years, with the arrival of anti-pollution protocols and low emission zones, they have grown more. In the used and second-hand channels we find very different options for sale. Depreciation stands at intermediate values of 31%, and we can get a 2016 Niro HEV for an approximate price of 14.500 euros.
Regarding the commercial offer of Km 0, we also find a wide range of possibilities. The most common, due to its more affordable price, is to find a hybrid KIA Niro with the 2019 restyling applied. Although it is the most popular model, we also find units from the rest of the family in a smaller proportion. All of them have interesting discounts that make them very attractive to potential buyers who want to save a few euros compared to factory units.
Rivals of the KIA Niro
It's hard to believe that in 2016 the KIA Niro could be considered a "weird" car. Today, hybrids are our daily bread, and PHEVs and electrics are beginning to appear on the market. Since we have different units we can have different rivals depending on the Niro we are talking about. Toyota CHR,Vauxhall Mokka, Peugeot 2008, Renault ZOE, Hyundai Kona o KIA Xceed These are just some of the many similar options that we can find on the market. However, the Niro is the only one to feature such efficient mechanical versatility.
Highlight
- electrical versatility
- Value for money-equipment
- Consumption
To improve
- PHEV trunk
- poor performance
- Price of the most equipped versions
KIA Niro 2016 prices
That there are different solutions within a range implies that there are different selling prices. The Niro is one of the hybrids with the best price-product ratio. In the best case the starting price of the KIA Niro is 27.600 euros, without offers or promotions. That value corresponds to an HEV unit with access finish. It is followed by the Niro PHEV with a minimum price of 35.800 euros, and finally the 100% electric variant is the most expensive of all with a starting value of 36.075 euros.
