Photo: Kia
A subcompact crossover that comes as a hybrid from the get-go, the Niro went into production in 2016. But for the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the South Koreans at Kia decided the time is right to operate the mid-cycle refresh of the Peter Schreyer-designed model.
The facelift will be applied to the hybrid and plug-in hybrid first, aligning both models to the e-Niro. Starting with the exterior, the projection headlamps now incorporate the ice-cube design that Kia introduced a handful of years ago on the Cee’d GT and Pro_Cee’d GT.
Customers can further opt for full-LED headlamps while the standard LED daytime running lights feature a double-arrow layout. Light-emitting diodes for the fog lamps are also available as an optional extra.
Moving on to the rear, the LED taillamps complement the resculpted bumper that integrates a skid plate, light reflectors, and fog lamps. As far as wheels are concerned, two 16-inch designs are available along with 18-inch wheels with a diamond-cut finish. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid stands out in the crowd with the help of dark grey inserts for the 16-inch alloys.
Open the door, and you’re welcomed by gloss-black trim with silver or chrome highlights, an optional 10.25-inch infotainment system, and an optional 7.0-inch instrument cluster. As standard, make that 8.0 inches for the touchscreen and 4.2 inches for the TFT screen.
Two color packs (Red and Orange or Plum) add a dash of flair to the cabin, coming in the guise of perforated leather upholstery and contrast stitching. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel for the six-speed DCT, an electronic parking brake, and larger rear brakes are other highlights.
UVO Connect is a telematics system that’s bundled with the 10.25-inch touchscreen, featuring Kia Live and a SIM card to retrieve and update data from the Internet. What kind of data? Think fuel prices, weather forecasts, live traffic, charging stations, and so forth.
On the safety front, both the hybrid and plug-in hybrid take inspiration from the e-Niro with Stop & Go functionality for the Smart Cruise Control. Lan Following Assist tracks the vehicles in front of the car, detecting road marking to keep the Niro in its lane on the highway. As ever, both models make use of a 1.6-liter GDi four-cylinder engine twinned with either a 1.56-kW or 8.9-kWh battery.
Customers can further opt for full-LED headlamps while the standard LED daytime running lights feature a double-arrow layout. Light-emitting diodes for the fog lamps are also available as an optional extra.
Moving on to the rear, the LED taillamps complement the resculpted bumper that integrates a skid plate, light reflectors, and fog lamps. As far as wheels are concerned, two 16-inch designs are available along with 18-inch wheels with a diamond-cut finish. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid stands out in the crowd with the help of dark grey inserts for the 16-inch alloys.
Open the door, and you’re welcomed by gloss-black trim with silver or chrome highlights, an optional 10.25-inch infotainment system, and an optional 7.0-inch instrument cluster. As standard, make that 8.0 inches for the touchscreen and 4.2 inches for the TFT screen.
Two color packs (Red and Orange or Plum) add a dash of flair to the cabin, coming in the guise of perforated leather upholstery and contrast stitching. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel for the six-speed DCT, an electronic parking brake, and larger rear brakes are other highlights.
UVO Connect is a telematics system that’s bundled with the 10.25-inch touchscreen, featuring Kia Live and a SIM card to retrieve and update data from the Internet. What kind of data? Think fuel prices, weather forecasts, live traffic, charging stations, and so forth.
On the safety front, both the hybrid and plug-in hybrid take inspiration from the e-Niro with Stop & Go functionality for the Smart Cruise Control. Lan Following Assist tracks the vehicles in front of the car, detecting road marking to keep the Niro in its lane on the highway. As ever, both models make use of a 1.6-liter GDi four-cylinder engine twinned with either a 1.56-kW or 8.9-kWh battery.
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