Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid To Be in Dealerships Before End of 2017

The Kia Niro lineup is gaining a new family member before the end of the year.

Making its debut at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show, the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid is the Korean automaker’s third plug-in model and has an estimated 26 miles of all-electric range. Total driving range is rated up to an estimated 560 miles, offering plenty of versatility in a crossover package. The model falls under the Kia Motors EcoDynamics sub-brand, as the company focuses on nearly tripling its global lineup of alternative fuel vehicles by 2020. The Niro Plug-in Hybrid joins the existing Niro, Optima Hybrid, Optima PHEV, and Soul EV models.

The plug-in hybrid variant does have a few different features compared to the standard Niro Hybrid. There’s a subtly-modified front grille insert and surround, hybrid blue exterior accents, available LED headlamps, a charge port door, available seven-inch color meter cluster with digital tachometer, and “ECO/Plug-In” badges.

Powering the Niro PHEV is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a 60-horsepower electric motor and an 8.9-kWh lithium-polymer battery pack. The powertrain’s combined system output is 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, while returning an MPGe rating of 105. Its EPA-estimated 48-mpg city, 44-mpg highway and 46-mpg combined ratings are similar to the Niro Hybrid. According to Kia, a full charge can be had in approximately 2.5 hours with a 240-volt Level 2 charger, while a standard 120-volt Level 1 charger will take under nine hours.

When it arrives dealerships later this year, the Niro PHEV will be available in three trim levels: LX, EX, and EX Premium. It will be offered with a suite of advanced driver assistance and convenience technologies such as Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, and front and rear parking sensors. Smart Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Keep Assist System are all standard.

“The Niro Plug-in is the exciting next step in Kia’s progression toward offering more alternative fuel vehicles by 2020,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning, Kia Motors America (KMA). “Consumers who are intrigued by the Niro hybrid’s fantastic versatility and design, but want even more EcoDynamics technology and the ability to drive only using electric power, will find more to love in the Niro Plug-in Hybrid.”

Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Coming To America By End Of 2017

Regular readers know I am a big fan of the Kia Niro. Yes, Kia did fly me down to San Antonio last year to spend a weekend driving the Niro through the Texas hill country outside San Antonio but I am a true journalist and cannot be bought with such things as sumptuous meals, free drinks, and courtside seats to a Spurs game.

The truth is, I was impressed with the Kia Niro. It is stylish, comfortable, and best of all, it’s an SUV that gets an honest EPA rating of 51 miles per gallon in its base configuration. It’s best feature is the six speed DSG transmission that makes it feel like a car with true sporting pretensions when the driver fells like playing.

Is it as quick as a Tesla P100D? No, not even close. But it costs one fifth as much. It’s a car even I could afford. And it has a rear seat real people can get in and out of, something that detracts from the overall goodness of the Chevy Volt. There are rumors the Niro PHEV will have a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs or so. No other PHEV offers that.

The Niro, like its corporate sibling, the Hyundai Ioniq, will come with either a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric powertrain. The hybrid is on sale now. The electric car is expected this summer. And the plug-in hybrid will be in US showrooms before Christmas.

With an 8.9 kWh battery, the Niro PHEV will have an EPA electric only range of about 25 miles. For those who think that’s too low, keep in mind the BMW 330e has a paltry 14 miles of range and costs twice as much. The Niro PHEV falls short of the Chevy Volt’s 53 miles of range but then again its battery is half the size and it will likely retail for $7,000 less. 25 miles doesn’t seem too bad when you’re saving 7 grand.

Source: Cleantechnica