Category Archives: Niro PHEV

2018 Kia Niro PHEV EX Premium review

September 15, 2018Electric Cars, Kia, News, Reviews and Comment, Niro PHEVRepost

Kia’s Niro PHEV is a plug-in hybrid for stealth environmentalists

The 2018 Kia Niro is a car for people who don’t really know what they want. We tested it with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, but Kia also offers a conventional hybrid, and will soon add an all-electric model to the lineup. The Niro’s tall body and low ride height blur the line between crossovers and hatchbacks. But in trying to fill every niche, has Kia created a car that doesn’t quite fit anywhere?

To find out, we borrowed a 2018 Kia Niro PHEV EX Premium for a few days. This is the highest of three trim levels so in addition to standard features from the more basic LX and EX models, such as 16-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, our test car benefitted from leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and an upgraded eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

Our tester also wore the optional snow white pearl paint ($395) and came with carpeted floor mats ($135). The base Niro PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) LX starts at $27,900, but our EX Premium tester rang in at $35,970 with destination.

The Niro’s competitors include the Toyota Prius Prime, Chevrolet Volt and Kia sibling Hyundai’s Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid. Like the Niro, they’re dedicated green models that don’t have non-electrified counterparts. Since Kia considers the Niro to be a crossover, it’s conceivable that people might cross-shop it against the larger Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV as well.

Kia Niro Not Easing Hyundai IONIQ Production Output

August 14, 2017Electric Cars, Kia, News, Reviews and Comment, Niro PHEVJo

South Korean carmakers are now widely recognized as major players in the automotive industry and they are about to touch new heights after launching new electric vehicles.

Hyundai has got the IONIQ whereas Kia has a Niro. Both the IONIQ and Niro are offered with a hybrid system at the moment but they are about to welcome a full EV trim.

While it all sounds positive, the Niro is apparently putting the brakes on the IONIQ EV production output. The Niro is the more popular choice between the two and there is already a great deal of demand for the Niro hybrid.

The bad part about this is that both Kia and Hyundai rely on LG Chem for batteries and the supplier is struggling in meeting battery demand. This is having a negative effect on the Kia Niro and Hyundai IONIQ as their unexpected EV demand has created supply problems due to battery shortage.

With the Niro bagging more sales, the supply priority will be on them and it may leave the IONIQ further delayed.

Source: NSEAVOICE

Kia launches two new PHEV models at Geneva

April 3, 2017Electric Cars, Kia, News, Reviews and Comment, Niro PHEV, Optima PHEVJo

Kia unveiled two new plug-in hybrid models at the Geneva Motor Show in the shape of the Niro and Optima Sportswagon, further strengthening a green car line-up that has grown dramatically over the past couple of years.

The Niro Plug-in Hybrid uses the same foundations as the hybrid crossover, though has a much larger battery and improved economy figures. Now with an 8.8 kWh battery pack, compared to the Niro hybrid’s 1.56 kWh, the Niro Plug-in Hybrid also uses a more powerful 44.5 kW electric motor to support the 1.6 litre Kappa petrol engine.

Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid_Geneva 2017 (image: Next Green Car)

This will result in official efficiency figures of less than 30 g/km CO2, though the car has yet to be formally tested, and Kia expects an all-electric range in excess of 34 miles.

As an extra incentive to potential buyers, Kia will also offer an optional towing pack. This will allow braked loads of up to 1,300kg to be towed, a very rare option for hybrid cars.

Kia Niro & Optima, Plug-in Hybrid. Geneva 2017 (image: Next Green Car)

Also announced was Kia’s Optima Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid. Using a similar electric powertrain to the saloon version of the Optima Plug-in Hybrid, but with a larger battery – now 11.26 kWh – and a 50kW electric motor. Kia again hasn’t got official efficiency figures available, but expects 34 g/km CO2 and 188.3 MPG to be achieved, along with an electric range of more than 37 miles.

The two new announcements mean Kia will have five electrified models in its fleet, adding to the Niro, Optima Plug-in Hybrid, and Soul EV. Considering that the Hyundai-Kia group also has the likes of the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell and three car Ioniq range to offer too means that the company quickly become one of the market leaders in electrified fleets.

Source: Next Green Car

Crossover Practicality from New Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

March 15, 2017Electric Cars, Kia, News, Reviews and Comment, Niro PHEVTrevor Larkum

Niro Plug-in Hybrid model on sale across Europe during Q3 2017
8.9 kWh High-capacity lithium-polymer battery pack and 1.6-litre GDI engine
Development engineers target pure-electric range over 55 kilometres
CO₂ emissions targeted to fall below 30 g/km
Plug-in Hybrid crossover offers 324-litre cargo space and spacious cabin
Advanced energy-saving measures and unique styling features
Optional Towing Pack with 1,300 kg capacity

Kia Motors has today unveiled the Niro Plug-in Hybrid at the Geneva International Motor Show. The new derivative combines high versatility and crossover design appeal with maximum fuel efficiency from its advanced new plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The Niro Plug-in Hybrid will go on sale across Europe during Q3 2017, pairing an economical 1.6-litre GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine with a 8.9kWh high-capacity lithium-polymer battery pack. The latest addition to Kia’s hybrid crossover range substantially reduces emissions over the more conventional Niro hybrid – engineers are targeting CO2 emissions below 30 g/km (combined, New European Driving Cycle) and a zero-emissions pure-electric driving range of over 55 kilometres. Final electric range and CO2 emissions figures will be published closer to the car’s on-sale date.

Kia Niro PHEV, Plug In Hybrid, Geneva Motorshow 2017 (Image: Kia)

Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe, commented:

“Annual sales of plug-in hybrid models in Europe are expected to grow to more than 600,000 units by the end of 2023, while the crossover market is also forecast to expand in the coming years. There is a clear demand from customers for a vehicle which combines the practicality and ‘cool’ image of a compact crossover with the ultra-low emissions of an advanced plug-in powertrain. The Niro Plug-in Hybrid will be the only car on the market to offer this combination.”

“The Niro Plug-in Hybrid is one of the latest low-emissions cars from Kia which will help the company achieve its global target for 2020 – to improve fuel efficiency by 25% compared with 2014 levels.”

The Niro Plug-in Hybrid is one of two low-emissions vehicles unveiled by Kia at the Geneva International Motor Show, alongside the new Optima Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid.