Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) review: what the car critics say
Longer, wider and taller, the new Niro is more imposing and spacious than before
It’s brave of Kia to give the Niro PHEV a “drastic” makeover, as the previous model was a huge success, despite its bland looks, said Autocar. The Niro still comes in a full hybrid, plug-in hybrid and a pure-electric version. The new PHEV has a bigger battery, which gives it an electric range of 36 miles, before the 1.6-litre petrol engine kicks in. It’s a good bet if you want a “practical yet well-priced electrified family hatchback”.
Longer, wider and taller, the new Niro is more imposing and spacious than before, with LED headlights under a chrome grille, said Auto Express. The interior is improved, with a sweeping dashboard and, save for some rougher plastics, it feels high-quality, with first-rate tech. The base-spec Niro 2 PHEV has an 8in intuitive infotainment screen, and all models have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It’s still a sensible choice, but it “no longer looks like the bargain it once was”, said The Daily Telegraph. The basic Niro 2 PHEV starts at £33,525, which gives you “everything you could need, but nothing you’d want”: you’ll have to fork out extra for parking sensors, heated seats, sat nav and so on. The car is gutsy enough to drive, but the suspension is wooden and the handling isn’t great: its rivals have “greater panache”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In pictures: Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Hang 10 at El Zonte, a surfer's paradise in El Salvador
The Week Recommends Catch some waves and a great cup of coffee
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'The world is watching this deal closely'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why Trump's cabinet nominees are facing confirmation delays
In the Spotlight Paperwork and politics play a role
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
6 impressive homes in Toronto
Feature Featuring floating stairs in Lytton Park and a two-tiered infinity pool in Banbury-Don Mills
By The Week Staff Published
-
Samantha Harvey's 6 favorite books that redefine how we see the world
Feature The Booker Prize-winning author recommends works by Marilynne Robinson, George Eliot, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Better Man: Robbie Williams's 'dynamic' monkey biopic is 'occasionally over ripe'
Former Take That star is replaced with a CGI chimpanzee in musical-stuffed film
By The Week UK Published
-
Properties of the week: dreamy ski chalets
The Week Recommends Featuring homes in Norway, Austria and France
By The Week UK Published
-
Nicci French: crime-writing duo Sean French and Nicci Gerrard share their favourite books
The Week Recommends The pair choose books by C.S. Lewis, Charlotte Brontë and more
By The Week UK Published
-
Versailles: Science and Splendour – a 'blockbuster' exploration of 18th-century innovation
The Week Recommends The show highlights how three French monarchs were fascinated with scientific research
By The Week UK Published
-
The Tempest: classic 'lost at sea' in Jamie Lloyd's production
Talking Point Sigourney Weaver gives 'wooden delivery' as Prospero at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
By The Week UK Published
-
Gobsmacked!: Ben Yagoda charts the 'British invasion of American English'
The Week Recommends New book shows how British words such as 'kerfuffle' have filtered into American usage
By The Week UK Published