Kia Niro – What you need to know

The second-generation Kia Niro small SUV arrived mid-2022 with a choice of a petrol-electric hybrid (HEV) and full battery-electric (EV) powertrains, underpinned by an all-new platform, fresh exterior and interior design and higher equipment levels.

Both the HEV and the EV are available in two model grades: S and GT-Line.

So which Niro variant has the ‘must have’ features you want? Let’s take a closer look and find out…

Kicking off the Kia Niro range is the S HEV that’s priced from $44,380 plus on-road costs and includes the following equipment as standard:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Reversing camera
• 8.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system
• Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six-speaker sound system
• Dual-zone climate control with rear vents
• Cloth and artificial leather seats

The latest Kia Niro offers a choice of eight colours across the range, with all except Clear White attracting a $520 premium.

All models and colour combinations feature gloss black lower body cladding, with one exception: the GT-Line EV in Snow White Pearl.

For no extra cost, Niro GT-Line buyers can also order a contrasting gloss black colour for the C-pillar (behind the rear door) when paired with Cityscape Green and Mineral Blue paintwork.

Buyers of the GT-Line EV in Snow White Pearl can also order a steel grey C-pillar and lower body cladding.

When it comes to safety features, all Kia Niro models have a broad range of airbags – dual front, side, centre and a driver’s knee airbag, plus curtain airbags for the first and second rows.

There’s also anti-lock brakes, electronic traction and stability control, hill start assist, multi-collision braking and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with car, pedestrian, cyclist and junction turning detection.

Also standard across the range is adaptive cruise control, blind spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross traffic assist, blind spot warning and collision avoidance, a speed limiter, lane keep and lane follow assist, driver attention warning and lead vehicle departure alert.

A reversing camera and rear parking sensors are fitted too, along with automatic headlights with auto high beam and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Step up to the HEV GT-Line or either EV model and you also get rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

The GT-Line in both HEV and EV also comes with reverse parking collision avoidance, front parking sensors, power child locks, safe exit warning and emergency service ‘eCall’ through Kia Connect.

An 8.0-inch touch-screen comes standard in the Kia Niro S HEV, accessing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (available wirelessly or via cord), digital radio and Bluetooth music and phone streaming.

It also has a 4.2-inch digital instrument display.

Move up to the EV version of the Niro S and the central infotainment screen increases to 10.25 inches while the instrumentation is shown on an 8.0-inch display.

If you want the whole shebang head to either GT-Line model and their dual 10.25-inch screens, one for the infotainment and the other the digital instrument cluster.

You also gain sat-nav with 10 years of traffic information and map updates, along with a head-up display and voice commands accessed from a steering wheel button.

The Kia Connect smartphone app, available on GT-Line models, lets users connect with their vehicle remotely and plan journeys with online navigation as well as opening onboard features including live traffic alerts and real-time weather forecasts.

Valet Mode lets owners monitor their vehicle remotely when it’s being driven by another user.

While other models make do with a six-speaker sound system, only the GT-Line EV gets an eight-speaker premium Harman Kardon sound system.

But all variants come with USB-A and USB-C ports in the centre console, along with another Type-C port in the side of the front passenger seat.

The Kia brand is known for its generous equipment levels and the Kia Niro range doesn’t disappoint.

For starters, all models have powered front seats. In both the Niro S HEV and EV the driver’s seat is powered eight ways (with two-way power lumbar support) and powered six ways for the front passenger. Charcoal cloth trim with artificial leather inserts is used on the seats.

Stepping up to the GT-Line snares you heated and cooled full artificial leather pews that are both eight-way powered with two-way power lumbar support. The premium steering wheel also has a heating function.

GT-Line variants also have alloy pedals for a sporty touch.

Metallic black accents are used in both Niro S variants with gloss black employed in the GT-Line interiors, and only the GT-Lines come with LED interior and cargo area lighting, along with ambient mood lighting with 64 colours.

It’s handy to keep your smartphone charged but only the GT-Line models are fitted with a wireless phone charger.

Is privacy glass a must-have? Glide over to either GT-Line model for this feature.

What about a sunroof? Again, an exclusive GT-Line feature.

Folding door mirrors for those tight spots? All Kia Niro variants have folding door mirrors with a heating function and turn indicators. On the S models they are body coloured, and gloss black on GT-Line.

While the Kia Niro S models make do with halogen projector headlights, the GT-Line comes with projector-type LED headlights. All have LED tail-lights, daytime driving lights and LED front fog lights.

There’s plenty of storage too, with all Niro models having four cup holders and four bottle holders, a storage box with arm rest in the centre console and, in the boot area, a cargo cover and tie-down hooks.

Are multiple drive modes on the wish list? The HEV has Eco and Sport while the EV gets Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow.

Further distinguishing the two model grades are the gloss black grille on the S variants, with the GT-Line having a two-tone gloss black and satin chrome look.

The wheels also set them apart with 18-inch alloy wheels on the GT-Line HEV, 17-inch alloys on the S and GT-Line EVs and 16-inch alloys found on the entry-model Niro S HEV. Both hybrids have a temporary spare tyre, with the EVs having only a repair kit.

Powering the Kia Niro S and GT-Line HEV models is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 77.2kW and 144Nm of torque, supplemented by a 32kW/170Nm permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. The combined output is 104kW/265Nm.

The hybrid powertrain is paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with drive to the front wheels.

The S and GT-Line EV models rely on a single electric motor that produces 150kW/255Nm and draws energy from a 64.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. It drives the front wheels only via a single-speed transmission (reduction gear).

A full battery provides a driving range of 460km, based on the WLTP testing cycle.

Topping up the battery from 10 to 80 per cent takes just 43 minutes with a suitable DC rapid charger. The all-new Niro comes with a standard CCS2 charging port for added convenience.

The Kia Niro fits into the small SUV category, measuring 4420mm long, 1825mm wide and either 1545mm (HEV) or 1570mm (EV) high.

It rests on a 2720mm wheelbase and offers luggage space of 425 litres (HEV) and 475L (EV) with the rear seats upright. With the rear seats folded, this extends to 1419/1992L respectively.

Maximum braked towing capacity for the EV is limited to 750kg, or 1300kg with the HEV.

For me, the Kia Niro HEV produces enough power and combines that with excellent fuel efficiency, thanks to the hybrid’s part-time electric running.

The lack of recharging infrastructure and range anxiety rules out an EV for me right now.

For most buyers, the Niro S HEV ticks the boxes. It boasts the same engine and transmission as the GT-Line, the same space and similar comfort, along with a high level of safety equipment and more than enough tech.

However, if you want more creature comforts and conveniences, splashing out another six grand for the GT-Line won’t disappoint.

For me, I’d be more than happy with the HEV-powered S and happier at pocketing the savings.

How much does the Kia Niro cost?
S HEV – $44,380
GT-Line HEV – $50,030
S EV – $65,300
GT-Line EV – $72,100
*Prices exclude on-road costs