It’s been an outstanding Business Motoring Awards year for the Kia Niro, the all-electric version is our Company Car of the Year while the judges also picked out the small SUV as the best hybrid against some stiff competition.
The Niro Hybrid has been welcome addition to the choice list of many companies. The Niro delivers the high efficiency and low running costs of a petrol-electric car with the style, practicality and desirability of a compact crossover.
It is based on an all-new platform which will only ever be used for electrified vehicles, and has an all-new powertrain featuring a 1.6-litre, 104bhp internal combustion engine and a 32kW (43bhp) electric motor driving through a six-speed auto dual-clutch automatic transmission.
This advanced power system ensures Niro is capable of up to 58.9mpg, with CO2 emissions from only 110g/km
There’s a smooth dual-clutch automatic and the whole package comes together to produce a very refined ride. The electric motor and petrol engine combine roles extremely smoothly.
Driven sensibly you can expect a realistic 60mpg aided by what Kia calls Predictive Energy Control, which works with the sat-nav to optimise hybrid system performance – boosting electric motor power on inclines and charging the battery on downhill sections.
Like the rest of the Niro range, the driving position is good, with good adjustment in the front seats and steering wheel while its SUV styling allows for good visibility.
It’s a similar story in the rear where there is head- and legroom for the burliest of passengers.
To find out more about the Kia Niro click here
