New Kia Niro equipment boost helps ease price rise pain

The new-generation 2022 Kia Niro has escalated in price but has also received a decent boost in equipment to compensate.

We’ve reported on the price rises here, as well as Kia Australia’s decision to discontinue the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version that was part of the range when the old model launched locally only 12 months ago.

Instead, the new Kia Niro comes only as a hybrid (HEV) or full-electric vehicle (EV). There are two equipment levels – carryover S and GT-Line, which replaces Sport – and pricing now ranges from $44,380 to $72,100 (plus on-road costs)

That represents an increase of more than $6000 for some models.

The headline piece of new equipment is the Kia Connect telematics system which makes its Australian debut in the Niro.

Kia Connect comes with a range of features that are similar to telematics systems offered by other car brands today, including vehicle monitoring, diagnostics and geofencing.

The system is only suitable for Kia models with embedded satellite navigation systems, which means it is only fitted to the top-spec Kia Niro GT-Line and not the entry-level S.

Paired with a smartphone app, Kia Connect will be introduced throughout the Kia range as models launch or facelift.

Hooked up via the Optus 4G network, it is being offered complimentary for seven years.

The Niro EV is powered by a 150kW/255Nm e-motor that dumps 140Nm compared to its predecessor. Kia says that helped smooth out acceleration and claims the new Niro EV’s 7.8sec 0-100km/h time is as fast as its predecessor. Drive to the front wheels is via a single-speed transmission.

A slightly larger 64.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides 460km (WLTP) of range between recharges, an improvement of 5km, but consumption rises from 15.9 to 16.2kWh/100km. Maximum recharging speed is just under 100kW.

Charging can be done at up to 11kW using an AC outlet. That means a full charge will take as little as six hours on a wallbox charger or 29 hours on a regular power point. On a 100kW DC charger, Kia says a 10-80 per cent charge takes about 45 minutes, while a higher-powered charger can lower that (by just two minutes!) to 43 minutes.

The Niro HEV is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine and e-motor that combine to produce an unchanged 104kW and 265Nm. Drive is to the front wheels via a new six-speed dual-clutch transmission, which does not have a reverse gear. Instead the e-motor looks after those duties by reversing polarity.

The HEV officially averages 4.0L/100km, splitting the old claims of 3.8L/100km for the S and 4.4L/100km for the Sport. It accelerates from 0-100km/h in 10.4sec.

Both drivetrains have regenerative braking, although the GT-Line gets a smarter system with more tuning adjustment.

The new Niro is based on the latest Hyundai-Kia K3 small car platform and its all-new body measures up larger in most dimensions externally and internally compared to its predecessor.

The boot is bigger in both the HEV and EV, but the 475-litre claim for the latter is boosted by the lack of a spare tyre. The 425-litre boot in the HEV includes a space-saver spare.

The suspension and electric-assist steering have been tuned locally. As the EV is 300kg heavier than the HEV, the chassis set-ups are different.

The Niro is covered by Kia’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and the high-voltage battery by a seven-year/150,000km warranty. Servicing is scheduled every 12 months/15,000km.

The HEV’s capped-price servicing costs average out at $572 per service over seven years while the EV’s average is $250.57. Kia also offers a pre-paid servicing package for the EV that costs $620 over three years and $1750 for the full seven years.

Compared to its predecessor, new equipment in the 2022 Kia Niro EV S includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and vehicle-to-load (V2L) interior charging.

The HEV and EV S share USB-C chargers and an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror.

Compared to the old Sport, both GT-Line models add laminated front door glass, privacy glass from the B-pillar back, 64-colour ambient mood lighting, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.0-inch head-up display, a wireless smartphone charger, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power tailgate and AI voice commands.

The EV GT-Line alone adds exterior V2L charging, a power sunroof, a powered front passenger seat that also reclines for relaxation, LED interior lighting and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

All models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connection and dual-zone climate control.

Both S models have received safety boosts including junction turning for their autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross traffic collision avoidance, safe exit warning, a front centre airbag, multi-collision braking, intelligent speed limit assist and high beam assist.

The GT-Line adds emergency call, safe exit assist, power child locks and parking collision avoidance assist.

Kia is targeting the maximum ANCAP five-star safety rating for the Niro. The local result will be based on Euro NCAP testing and should be announced in the third quarter of 2022.

Watch out for our review of the new Kia Niro next Friday, July 8.

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