The second generation of the Kia Niro has now arrived in Portugal and, as with the original model, the South Korean crossover is offered exclusively with electrified powertrains.
Buyers can choose between a conventional hybrid, the Niro HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), and a fully electric version, the Niro EV (Electric Vehicle).
Although there is also a plug-in hybrid variant - the Niro PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) - it will not be sold in Portugal. Instead, Kia offers plug-in hybrid powertrains in the Ceed SW, XCeed, Sportage and Sorento.
Kia Niro figures
Starting with the Kia Niro HEV, it quotes a maximum combined output of 141 cv at 6000 rpm and a maximum combined torque figure of 265 Nm at 2330 rpm. These totals come from pairing a 1,6 l four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor - effectively the same powertrain layout as the previous generation, albeit with several improvements.
Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (6DCT), notable for the fact it has no reverse gear. Instead, reversing is handled by using first gear in the 6DCT together with the electric motor, which switches its direction of rotation.
The electric motor draws energy from a small 1,32 kWh lithium-ion battery mounted beneath the rear seat. While it cannot deliver the tens of kilometres of electric-only driving you would expect from a plug-in hybrid, its support for the combustion engine helps keep consumption down: the official claim is 4,7 l/100 km with emissions of 107 g/km.
The Kia Niro EV likewise carries over its powertrain concept from the first generation. Its front-mounted electric motor is rated at 150 kW (204 cv) and delivers 255 Nm of maximum torque - 140 Nm less than before, a change intended to help the front axle handle the motor’s output more effectively.
Despite tipping the scales at around 1,7 tonnes (1682-1739 kg), the Niro EV’s 200+ cv is enough for 0–100 km/h in 7,8s, while top speed is capped at 167 km/h.
Powering the motor is a 64,8 kWh battery positioned in the floor of the platform between the axles. In the combined WLTP cycle, this configuration translates into a range of up to 460 km and energy consumption of 16,2 kWh/100 km.
On the road
To see how these figures feel from behind the wheel - and to get a closer look at the new Niro overall - we suggest reading (or revisiting) our first driving impressions of the model, completed a few weeks ago in Frankfurt, Germany.
The Portuguese line-up
In Portugal, the Kia Niro HEV is sold only in the top Tech trim level. Standard kit includes (among other items) 18″ alloy wheels, a wireless smartphone charger, a 10,25″ central display, navigation, automatic air conditioning with rear air vents, and several driver assistance systems - HBA (High Beam Assist), HDA (Highway Driving Assist), and ISLA (Intelligent Speed Limit Assist).
The Kia Niro EV, meanwhile, is available not only in Tech but also in a lower specification called Drive. Drive comes with 17″ wheels and a smaller 8″ central display, and compared with Tech it also does without the wireless charger, LED fog lights, HDA (Highway Driving Assist), a rain sensor, rear air vents, and various styling details.
How much does the Kia Niro cost
The second-generation Niro is already on sale in Portugal, with prices starting at 37 900 euros for the HEV. The Niro EV is positioned more towards business customers; VAT can be reclaimed and autonomous taxation is set at 0%. Thanks to an ongoing Kia promotion, the advertised figures can be lower:
- Niro HEV Tech - 37 900 euros (32 000 euros);
- Niro EV Drive - 39 431 euros + IVA (34 655 euros + IVA*);
- Niro EV Tech - 41 830 euros + IVA (37 132 euros + IVA*).
As with other Kia models, the new Niro comes with a seven-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty, which also covers the electric motor and the battery pack.
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