Test Kia Niro HEV 141 CV Emotion 2022 (with video)

El Kia Niro of second generation has been presented in this year 2022 as the most important novelty of the south korean firm, at least as far as volume is concerned. This car is a model that is always electrified, with three different versions: a conventional hybrid, another plug-in hybrid and, finally, a 100% electric variant.

In our case we have asked the brand for a Kia Niro normal hybrid, the non-plug-in, because we consider that it is the option that adapts to more clients in our country. In addition, it is also the most economical, being available from 27.800 euros. We tested this Kia Niro HEV with the top-of-the-range finish, which is called Emotion.

New Kia Niro, new forms for the same concept

Aesthetically the new Niro is a daring car. Like the predecessor model, it shows an aesthetic of Crossovers, halfway between a compact and an SUV. However, he has left rounded shapes aside to make way for more straight lines, opting for a more personal design. Look at the front, with a very fine grille, a large optical group and a fairly marked lower grille.

On the side it also has a lot to say, combining the green tone of the bodywork with important areas in black, especially the contrasting rear pillar. But what has caught my attention the most this rear pillar is that it has real air ducts ending in the taillights. Kia says that this reduces turbulence and, therefore, improves aerodynamics.

Already in the rear stand out the slim vertical LED lights shaped like a boomerang and the roof spoiler. One thing that does not convince me too much is that the turn signals and reverse lights go in the lower area. They always see better at medium height and, therefore, I prefer that they go in a somewhat higher area.

Great evolution in technology for the passenger compartment

Once inside, if you think so, we'll start with what's most striking lately, the little screens. We have a very well executed and partially customizable instrument cluster in 10,25 inches. Right next to it appears the screen for the multimedia system, which is also 10,25 inches. She feels very smooth and easy to drive, which is always a positive.

La pool heating It can be operated both from the screen and from a lower section, as in the Sportage or the EV6. As you can see, we have a couple of lifelong roulette wheels, but other functions are touch. It's well organized, but I still prefer all the controls to be traditional buttons. If we press a "button" the air conditioning menu disappears and changes to these other map, radio, audio and other menus, now being the roulette to control the volume and the station.

We also have USB and cigarette lighter sockets, wireless charging for mobile, correct storage compartments and more in this central area appears the gear selector and buttons for the seat heating, steering wheel, activate AutoHold, parking sensors and others. Unfortunately, as you can see we have a lot of shiny black plastic, which is very nice when it is perfectly clean, but that does not happen even when you release the car at the dealership.

Regarding steering wheel, it is new design and curiously, it only has two horizontal spokes, when the usual thing is that they also have at least one vertical spoke in the lower area. The first days I didn't feel very comfortable with it, but it is true that in the end you end up getting used to it.

Although with improvable details

In terms of quality, it is one point below the Sportage. Be careful, the chosen materials, except for Piano Black, are more than correct, as are the settings. But there are a couple of little details, like the material chosen for the ceiling or the ceiling lights, which can be improved. There you can see that they have saved a little in costs.

Finally, and before moving on to the rear seats, we are in the Emotion finish, the top of the range, and for this reason we have electric adjustments for the two front seats and heating. Seats that have been very comfortable for me, by the way. Now yes, let's go to the second row.

The rear side seats are very spacious.

If we talk about later habitability, the rear seats leave a good space for two adults of practically any size -within the normal- in the side seats. In my case, with the driver's seat adjusted to my 1,76 height, I have a great knee clearance and I also have several centimeters left for my head from the ceiling.

The central plaza is quite narrow, although it will come in handy for short one-off journeys.

In another order of things, in this second row we find a magazine rack, USB sockets in the front seatbacks, ventilation outlets -without temperature control- and a central armrest with cup holders.

Solvent trunk for a family

In this Emotion finish we have automatic boot opening. Once the gate is open we find 451 liters of space in this non-plug-in hybrid version. In the case of the PHEV variant, or plug-in hybrid, it is 348 liters, while in the E-Niro, the electric one, we are talking about 475 liters.

That said, as you can see it is a quite usable space. The wheel arches are a bit annoying, but not too much, and we have a double height floor with a good gap. What catches my attention a bit is the style of tray. It's thin and it's clear that it doesn't weigh much but... I don't know, it looks like cigarette paper.

Motors: Electric, plug-in hybrid and normal hybrid

As we said at the beginning, the Kia Niro is available with three mechanics. We start with the E-Niro, the fully electric version. It carries a 64,8 kWh battery that powers a 204 hp engine. Its autonomy approved in combined cycle is 460 kilometers, which is not bad at all.

We continue with him plug-in hybrid, which combines a 1.6 hp 105 petrol engine and an 84 hp electric motor to give a combined power of a more than respectable 183 hp. The electrical part takes energy from a battery with 11,1 kWh. Its autonomy in electric mode is 65 kilometers.

We are testing the conventional or non-plug-in hybrid Niro. We have a gasoline engine 1.6 liters 105 hp and a 44 hp electric drive powered by a small 1,3 kWh battery. Together they develop 141 hp and 265 Nm and among other benefits we find an acceleration from 0 to 100 in 10,4 seconds and a top speed of 165 km/h. The approved combined consumption is 4,4 l/100 km.

Unlike other conventional hybrid vehicles, this Niro uses a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. And as a curiosity, this transmission does not have a reverse gear, but the electric motor will always take care of this function.

At the wheel of the KIA Niro HEV

We have already seen all the theory, now, what do we feel at the wheel of this car? Well honestly it is a very simple car in terms of driving. It does not suffer from practically anything, it only has a couple of points that I consider could be improved and that I will detail now, but the truth is that it is one of those cars in which you hardly need time to adapt to drive them. Looks like you've been driving it for years.

Its response is soft, but forceful at low speeds if, for example, we want to get out of a junction quickly. It's there where the instantaneous torque of the electric motor is most noticeable, which allows you to boot very quickly. In addition, at those times it also helps keep fuel consumption at bay.

Comfortable suspension, too comfortable?

The suspension has a relatively soft setting, so it is comfortable to travel or when wandering around. However, and from my point of view, it lacks a hair of rigidity to better contain inertia, since in curves or strong braking inertia is noticeable a little.

And since I have mentioned braking, here comes one of the points that I consider could be improved. Be careful, if you brake hard, the car stops quickly and safely. But as in the vast majority of hybrid or electrified cars, we don't have a good gut feeling. with the brake pedal.

This is due to regenerative braking and is sometimes difficult to measure accurately. There are times when we brake relatively smoothly and we have the feeling that we are not measuring well, that we are throwing ourselves on top of the car in front of us. As I say, it is something common in electrified cars. I hope that the brands start to work more on this aspect to improve driving comfort.

Acoustic insulation one point lower than expected

On the other hand, we have two driving modes -Eco and Sport- that are managed from a button on the steering wheel. In Eco the engine response is soft, maybe too soft, and with the cams we can manage the retention when we raise the right foot, something that comes in handy. Meanwhile, in Sport the engine reacts more immediately and in this case the cams help us to manage the 6 gears of the change.

The other point that has caught my attention about this car, and not for the better, is the issue of sound insulation. On the highway There are more noises coming into the cabin than I expected, especially rolling. I was probably surprised by this aspect because Kia is working a lot on these details in other models, like the Sportage, but I think that in this Niro they have not done so well.

Adjusted and stable consumption

Where there can be no complaint is in the section on consumptions. It is not necessary to drive very efficiently to see very low consumption in the trip computer.

On the highway at normal speeds it is satisfied with about 5,5 l/100 km, while in the city, which is where we get the most benefit from these hybrid models, it is easy to obtain consumption of 4,5 liters simply by accelerating from a standstill with a little of softness. In fact, during this week of testing the total consumption has been placed in 4,7 l/100 km.

Conclusions after testing the Kia Niro

As you have seen throughout the video, I expected a little more from the Kia Niro in some details, such as the noise in the cabin or the finish of the headliner. In these aspects I think it could be a little better resolved.

However, it has very positive things, such as a more daring design, very smooth and comfortable dynamics except for the touch of the aforementioned brake and, above all, some really low consumption practicing normal driving. In addition, I consider that it is a car that works very well as a single vehicle for a family of four.

Equipment Kia Niro

Concept

• Front and rear windows
• Electric parking brake
• Roof bars
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• LED daytime running lights
• light sensing
• Rear Seat Occupant Alert
• Lane Following Assist
• Reversing camera
• Front and rear USB charger
• Dual zone air conditioning
• Cruise control
• Instrument panel with 4,2-inch screen
• Driving mode selector
• rear parking sensor
• 8-inch multimedia screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• speed limit recognition system
• Height adjustable driver and passenger seat

Drive (add)

• rotary shift selector
• darkened moons
• Mirror caps in black
• Electric and heated exterior mirrors with built-in indicator
• roadside driving assistance
• Blind Spot Assist
• Bluetooth with voice recognition
• wireless charger for mobile phone
• Adaptive cruise control
• shift paddles
• Kia Connect Navigator
• 10,25 inch digital box
• electrochromic mirror
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Emergency braking at intersections
• Electronic start and smart key
• Driver's seat with electric adjustments and lumbar adjustment
• mixed upholstery

Emotion (add)

• Chrome interior handles
• sports pedals
• Chrome door sill guards and handles
• heated steering wheel
• Full-LED headlights
• 18-inch wheels
• Sunroof
• Head-Up Display
• hands-free tailgate
• Harman Kardon audio system
• remote parking with key
• Heated front seats with electrical adjustments
• Ventilation in the front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Faux leather upholstery

Kia Niro Prices

Official prices according to the configurator of Kia.

Editor's opinion

Kia Niro Gallery