Kia brought significant updates to its Niro
hybrids at the Geneva Motor Show. Both the Niro Hybrid and Niro
Plug-in Hybrid adopt refreshed styling inspired by the e-Niro electric vehicle
(aka Niro EV in North America), improved interior materials, and new interior
color options. In addition, the facelifted Niro models get Kia’s new UVO
Connect telematics system.
Visually, the 2019MY Niro hybrids gain new
bumpers, redesigned headlights featuring an “ice-cube” design (optionally
available as full LED), new LED DRLs with a unique double-arrow layout, as well
as optional LED fog lamps. At the rear, the crossovers adopt redesigned LED
taillights, a silver skid plate, and new light reflectors and rear fog lamps.
The Niro Hybrid offers a choice of two 16-inch alloy
wheel designs, as well as an all-new 18-inch dual-tone diamond-cut rim. The
Niro Plug-in Hybrid features new 16-inch alloys with dark grey inserts. Inside, Kia says both Niro models
now offer a more upscale atmosphere with enhanced quality. The top of the
dashboard gets a soft-touch coating, while the dash and instrument panel gain
new gloss black trim with silver or satin chrome highlights. An 8.0-inch
touchscreen infotainment system and 4.2-inch TFT instrument binnacle are
offered as standard, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and 7.0-inch digital
instrument cluster being available.
The Niro range also gains two color packs for the
2019 model year in Europe: Red-Orange or Plum. Other modifications include the
adoption of paddle shifters for the six-speed dual-clutch transmission and a
new electronic parking brake with larger rear brakes.
The UVO Connect telematics system becomes available
on the Niro hybrids. Compatible with the optional 10.25-inch touchscreen and a
smartphone, UVO connect offers access to live traffic information, weather
forecasts, POIs, fuel prices, parking, charging station information, and more. The upgraded Niro range also sees
the introduction of new active safety tech such as Stop & Go functionality
for the Smart Cruise Control system and Lane Following Assist.
No changes are made to the powertrains, which
combine a 1.6-liter GDi gasoline engine with a 1.56 kWh lithium-ion polymer
battery in the Niro Hybrid and the same ICE with an 8.9 kWh battery in the
Plug-in Hybrid. The Hybrid’s CO2 emissions are as low as 99.8 g/km (WLTP
combined cycle) while the Niro Plug-in Hybrid is rated at 31.3 g/km. The PHEV
can be driven in EV mode for up to 49 km.
Kia will start European sales of the Niro Hybrid and
Niro Plug-in Hybrid start during the second quarter of 2019.
