Kia has hybrid well done. The endurance test of the Kia Niro Hybrid shows that the new one convinces again as a hybrid.
The Kia Niro Hybrid goes back to the importer and at the kick-off of this endurance test we said that we mainly wanted to unravel the secret of the Niro. The first was an unexpected success in the Netherlands and can this new generation continue that?
The current Niro also quickly rose to the top ten in sales, although it is not yet as visible as the first generation. This is also because the new Sportage performs much better than the previous one. The previous Niro ensured that the previous Sportage sold much less in the Netherlands, but you now also see that model in the top 20. By the way, we already came to the conclusion when we said goodbye to the Sportage as an endurance tester that the new Niro and the new Sportage are much more of a complement to each other. This was also evident from the direct comparison of the two models.
Which competitors has the Kia Niro Hybrid been tested against?
The Niro is a smaller crossover that sits at the top of the B segment. So what are competitors? Think of the Mitsubishi ASX, the Captur, and that ASX with a hybrid drivetrain we also conducted a comparison test with this Niro Hybrid, the Suzuki S-Cross with a hybrid drivetrain was also allowed to participate. Result of that trio test? The Mitsubishi ASX (i.e. the Captur) drives better, but the Niro’s overall package is so convincing that the victory went to the Kia. It has a comfortable, predictable hybrid drivetrain and is also really economical. During the test week we achieved 1 out of 18.3 in the endurance test period of four months, but we cannot figure that out because the car was also taken to France for a test by our fellow colleagues with a caravan behind it. With that small caravan behind it, the consumption was below 1 in 10, which gave us an average of 1 in 14.8.
What does the Niro Hybrid consume when you drive faster than 100 km/h?
We also looked at what it does to consumption when you pedal hard in Germany, we went to Frankurt with 150 on the clock and then arrived at 1 at 11.5, back we took it easier and drove a maximum of 130 and then we drove a neat 1 to 17.6. Under normal circumstances in the Netherlands, where driving 100 km/h is the norm, then 1 in 18 to 1 in 19 is easily possible. We see that two drivers of the new Niro Hybrid keep track of their practical consumption in the AutoWeek consumption monitor. They even average 1 in 19.6.
Niro Hybrid does not involve you in driving
Is there nothing to criticize about the Niro at all? The sitting position can become irritating over a long period of time. And the car is ideal for when you get in tired and want to drive thoughtlessly from A to B, but if you want nice involvement in driving with a lot of steering feeling, then a Toyota hybrid is more fun to drive. So a Yaris Cross, a C-HR or a Corolla Cross.
The Niro is also available as Electric, the 100 percent electric version. As is often the case with models that you can get as 100 percent EV and with a different drivetrain, the Niro also turns out to be the best version of this model. It is more fun to drive, with a more eager response and powerful acceleration. Without discounting this Niro Hybrid, because Kia has mastered the hybrid drivetrain well and the hybrid Niro is an excellent pioneer on the road to electric driving, for people who do not yet dare to take the step to 100 percent electric. Oh yes, there is also a Niro plug-in hybrid, but that version only plays a very small role in sales.
About towing a caravan, this hybrid can tow 1,300 kilos, which is more than, for example, the larger Toyota Corolla Cross with a 1.8 or 2.0 hybrid drivetrain behind it. That of course also makes the Niro Hybrid popular in the Netherlands, and if 1,300 kilos is not enough, then there is of course the Sportage. The larger SUV that was so well received in an earlier endurance test.