Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) review: what the car critics say

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”.

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In pictures: Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid