2017 Kia Niro Hybrid Touring
A New Benchmark in its Class
San Antonio, TX– The Kia Niro Hybrid was unveiled at last year?s Chicago Auto Show and appears on the scene this year as a 2017 model. The Kia Niro is an all-new, compact, near midsize, urban crossover hybrid that serves up a bold, athletic crossover design, combined with functionality and versatility as well as outstanding fuel economy.
The new Niro will be available in five progressive levels of trim: the base FE, LX, EX, Touring and a limited ?production Launch Edition. The entry level FE starts at $22,890., while the top-of-the-line Touring with its impressive inventory of luxury, infotainment and convenience features begins at $29,650. Add $895 for Destination charges to all models.
The Niro FE is equipped with a lengthy list of standard features, including: 16-inch wheels; 6-way front seats; power windows; keyless entry; cruise control; 7-inch touchscreen display with rearview camera; UVO3 with Apple CarPlayTM3, Android AutoTM4 and a six-speaker audio system with steering-wheel-mounted controls.
Stepping up to the LX trim adds Smart Key with push button start, roof rails and LED rear combination lamps.
Among the extras added to EX models are heated combination cloth and leather seating, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED daytime running lights, heated power folding mirrors, front fog lamps, and Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist driver assistance features. The Touring trim is equipped with an amazing array of additional features ? power tilt/slide sunroof, front and rear park assist, heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, 10-way power driver?s seat with memory and 8-speaker Harman Kardon? premium audio. The limited number Launch Editions, priced at $28,000. are available in Snow White Pearl or Aurora Black Pearl exterior colors and offer an exclusive look with their unique Hyper Gray 18-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin tires, unique metallic color grille, 10-way driver?s seat, 8-inch touchscreen navigation system and 8-speaker Harman Kardon? premium audio.
There are three available option packages: an Advanced Technology Package is offered on the LX at $1,450 and includes Smart Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Lane Departure Warning System. A Sunroof and Advanced Technology Package is offered on EX for $2,300 and includes: a power tilt/slide sunroof, Smart Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Lane Departure Warning System.
The Advanced Technology Package offered on Touring models runs $1,900. and includes HID headlights, wireless phone charger and 110V inverter, Smart Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Lane Departure Warning System.
The motive force for all Kia Niro models is provided by a 1.6-liter DOHC, 16- valve four-cylinder Atkinson cycle Gasoline Direct Injection engine that delivers 104 horsepower at 5,700 rpm along with 109 pound feet of torque. The gas engine joins forces with an Electric Motor ? a 240 Volt AC Synchronous Permanent Magnet Motor, 240V / 43 Horsepower /125 pound feet of torque from a compact and lightweight 1.56-kWh Lithium Ion Polymer battery located beneath the rear seat. And because the high-voltage battery is both power and energy dense, it is smaller and lighter than other hybrid batteries, allowing the engineers to downsize the gasoline engine to further maximize fuel economy and reduce emissions. The power produced by the combined hybrid system is 139 horsepower and 195 pound feet of torque. Energy is geared to the front driving wheels, not by a CTV transmission, but rather via a conventional second generation, six-speed Dual Clutch Transmission with standard Sport Mode and dry, multi-plate hydraulically actuated.
Visually, the all-new Kia Niro is unmistakably recognizable as a member of the Kia family, with styling cues borrowed from the larger Kia Sedona and smaller Kia Soul. In many ways, it loosely resembles a reduced version of the Sedona?s overall form, but with its own contemporary personality. And, despite its more diminutive size, the Niro provides a comfortable and spacious cabin for five occupants and their gear, while delivering a full array of driver assistance features including: an advanced high-strength steel structure, seven airbags, available Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, and Lane Departure Warning.
The Niro displays wide and low proportions with a long wheelbase and short overhangs yield in an athletic stance, while aggressively shaped headlights and a new execution of Kia?s tiger nose grille, defining the front theme. The Niro?s profile showcases strong shoulders, defined wheel arches, rocker-panel cladding, and roof rails. The sporty rear image is enabled by its wide stance, rear skid plate, and multi-element horizontal LED tail lamp graphic. In essence, the Kia Niro doesn?t mimic other hybrids in the marketplace ? it features its own appealing design, delivering an appearance that is strong and athletic, as well as sculpted and modern.
Moving to the interior, the instrument panel is uncluttered and clean, with colorful and informative gauges at the forefront and perfectly positioned primary and secondary controls falling readily to hand. The utilization of traditionally simple, ?old school? round knobs is a delight. The cabin?s roominess is the result of Niro?s ample106.3-inch wheelbase, body height, and wide stance, which allows for ample leg-, head- and shoulder-room. The packaging of the high-voltage battery assists in delivering a desirable driving experience; its location underneath the rear seats also increases cabin and cargo space and provides a flat load floor. In addition to its spaciousness and comfort, ensuring a quiet interior environment was a key development focus for engineers. Noise and vibration countermeasures were employed to minimize sound invasion.
Connectivity is accessible through Kia?s standard UVO3 with Apple CarPlay TM3, Android Auto TM4 and a 7-inch touchscreen and available Smart Cruise Control, navigation and a Harman Kardon? premium audio system. A wireless charge mat for personal devices is standard fare.
My test 2017 Kia Niro during the press launch was a loaded Touring model with a base price of $29,650 and a final sticker of $30,545 after factoring in the Inland Freight and Handling charges. The exterior was sprayed Silky Silver metallic, with the interior done in Charcoal and Gray with blue accent stitching. I later tested a base model Niro FE, which began at $22,890 and came to a final total of $23,785.The exterior was done in Silky Silver metallic and the interior was done in Black.
SUMMARY: The 2017 Kia Niro serves up a very un-hybrid-like driving experience. The system is not obvious or intrusive. Accelerates comes quickly off the line and continues with a smooth delivery of power. Handling characteristics are sporty with a spot-on steering feedback and instantaneous response. Brake feel is also positive thanks to Niro?s regenerative system seamlessly blending in with the hydraulic friction braking system, providing a more consistent and linear feel than most other hybrids.
Special attention was also paid to brake feel. Applying lessons learned through development of two generations of Optima Hybrids as well as the fully electric Soul EV, Kia engineers designed the Niro?s regenerative system to seamlessly blend in hydraulic friction braking. Consequently, deceleration feels more consistent and linear feel than in most other hybrids.
An all-new Eco-Driver Assistance System features Kia?s first application of Coasting Guide and Predictive Energy Control, which use the navigation system and analysis of the driver?s route to improve driving efficiency. The Coasting Guide aims at maximizing fuel economy by coaching the driver on when to coast and brake. Predictive Energy Control anticipates topographical changes on the road ahead to actively manage energy flow, determining when it?s best to recharge the battery and when it?s best to expend stored energy to optimize overall efficiency.
The Niro is the latest vehicle to be introduced under the Kia Motors EcoDynamics environmentally friendly sub-brand and represents a number of firsts. While it was preceded by clean mobility products such as the Optima Hybrid and Soul EV, Niro is the first Kia to make use of an all-new, dedicated eco-car platform and is an important next step on the path to nearly tripling the brand?s global EcoDynamics line-up by 2020.
EPA mileage estimates for the Kia Niro Touring are: 46 mpg city, 40 mpg Highway and 43 mpg combined. A world record mileage drive from coast to coast from Los Angeles to New York in a hybrid car was done in a 2017 Kia Niro averaging 76.551 mpg (3.06 liters per 100 kilometers). A plug-in hybrid powertrain is slated to be added to the Niro?s line-up later this year.
Bottom line, the 2017 Kia Niro is an eye-pleasing, compact, wagon-like, urban hybrid crossover that is not only affordable, versatile and practical, it is also one of the most efficient hybrids available in today?s marketplace.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid Touring
Base Price: $29,650.
Price as Tested: $30,545.
Engine Type and Size: 1.6-liter DOHC, 16-valve Atkinson cycle Gasoline Direct Injection.
Horsepower (bhp): 104 @ 5,700 rpm
Torque (ft./ lbs.): 109 @ 4,000 rpm
Electric Motor: 240 Volt AC Synchronous Permanent Magnet Motor, 240V / 43 Horsepower /125 pound feet of torque. Lithium-Ion Polymer Battery
Combined System performance combined power?
139 horsepower
195 pound feet of torque
Transmission: Six-speed Dual Clutch Transmission with standard Sport Mode and dry, multi-plate hydraulically actuated.
Drive Train: Transversely-mounted front engine / Front-wheel Drive.
Suspension: Front – Independent MacPherson struts, with gas shocks and stabilizer bar.
Rear ? Independent Multi-link with twin-tube shocks.
Brakes: Power-assisted Active Hydraulic Boost system four-wheel discs (vented front) with regenerative braking with motor polarity reversal.
Tires: Michelin Primacy MXM4 225/45 R18 91Y mounted on 5-swirl ?V?-spoke alloy wheels, with spare tire mobility kit.
Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
Length Overall: 171.5 inches
Width: 71.1 inches
Height: 60.4 inches w/o roof rails.
Curb Weight: 3,161 lbs.
Turning Circle: 17.4 ft.
Fuel Capacity: 11.9 gallons
EPA Mileage Estimates: 51 mpg city / 46 mpg highway ? range 583 miles
Drag Coefficient: 0.29.
0 – 60 mph: Not tested.
Arv Voss is a Northern California based freelance motoring Journalist and member and past officer of several noted Automotive Journalist organizations who contributes regularly to a number of national and international media outlets. He reviews not only cars, trucks and SUVs, but motorcycles and unusual wheeled vehicles as well.
