New Kia Niro to be unveiled this week

The all-new 2022 Kia Niro is just days away from its global reveal at the Seoul Mobility Show on November 25, Kia has confirmed.

To celebrate, the Korean brand released a series of darkened teaser images showing off the front and rear lighting signatures as well as the interior of its next-generation small electrified SUV.

Previously confirmed to be headed Down Under in 2022, the new Kia Niro is now expected to arrive on local soil in the middle of the year – just a year after the existing Niro landed in Australia.

The small Kia SUV – which is currently positioned above the Stonic, Seltos and Sportage in terms of price, but is around the same size as the Seltos – will once again offer the choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery-electric (EV) powertrains.

Created in accordance with the brand’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, Kia says the new Niro will feature design elements inspired by the Habaniro concept of 2019, pointing to a much bolder and more angular look than the flowing lines of the current model.

“The stylish and bold crossover embodies Habaniro’s adventure-ready attitude with a clean and high-tech two-tone body,” designers said in a statement.

The two-tone colour scheme has been directly carried over from the concept to the production car, with both vehicles flaunting vibrant red C-pillars; a theme complemented on the Habaniro by red wheel elements.

The slim, full-width lighting strip and question mark-shaped daytime running lights have also been carried over, offset at the rear by a high set of vertical tail-lights.

Inside the cabin, a segmented interior similar to that of the Hyundai i30 Sedan is hinted at by the upswept door trims that overlap and join with the gently curving but asymmetrical dash.

The dual-screen arrangement for the instrument cluster and infotainment system first seen on the Kia EV6 and the all-new Sportage makes it a three-peat for the integrated cockpit design, while the driver and front passenger look to be separated by a sloping and chiselled centre console.

Kia’s rotary gear-selector is also present, as is some form of ambient lighting in front of the passenger seat, suggesting this preview vehicle is a top-spec – possibly GT-Line – version.

No powertrain details have been revealed yet, but it would be a safe bet to assume power outputs, efficiency and EV range across the line-up will be improved.