Revised versions of the Kia Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) are now on sale in the UK, priced from £24,590.
Four trim levels are available, each powered by the firm's 1.6 GDi petrol engine. Hybrid models receive a 1.56kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack, with plug-in variants using a larger 8.9kWh unit.
Prices range from less than £25,000 for entry-level 1 trim, to £31,945 for top-spec plug-in hybrid versions.
Revealed at the Geneva motor show, the compact SUV's facelift adds greater connectivity and a tweaked exterior design.
Both the hybrid and plug-in hybrid Kia Niro receive new front and rear bumpers inspired by those of the electric Kia e-Niro, with new LED daytime running lights as standard and Kia's 'ice cube' projection headlights. LED headlights and foglights will be available as options. New paint colours and alloy wheel designs have also been added to the range.
Bigger changes can be found inside, where Kia has upgraded the dashboard with soft-touch materials and added red-orange and plum colour trim packs. The manual handbrake has been replaced by an electric parking brake and the steering wheel gains paddle shifters to take manual control of the six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system can now be upgraded to a 10.3in widescreen and the 4.2in instrument cluster can be exchanged for a 7.0in Supervision display. Kia's UVO Connect telematics system has also been added to the range, providing always-connected functionality such as live traffic information, fuel prices and charging station information through an integrated SIM card.
The updated Niro is now available with optional stop-and-go cruise control and active lane-keeping assistance for the first time.
“The Niro has become a key growth driver for Kia in Europe and is a cornerstone of our electrified product strategy," said Kia Europe CEO Emilio Herrera. "New enhancements to quality and design and the adoption of our ‘connected’ UVO system will make the Niro family an even more compelling proposition.”
The Niro is now one of Kia's best-selling European models, with more than 14,000 hybrid and PHEV models sold in the UK alone since its introduction in 2016.
Read more
