The content of the article:
- Exterior
- Salon
- Specifications
- Hybrid price tag and equipment
The 2020 Kia Niro Hybrid is a compact crossover with a hybrid powertrain and fuel economy. The model features an electric motor and battery to increase the performance of the gasoline unit. The introduction of such technologies has reduced the rate of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere to 86 g / km.
The South Korean automaker has high hopes for the new product, believing that it will become the next bestseller in the car market.
Exterior
The 2020 Kia Niro Hybrid has an elegant body design that emphasizes the manufacturer's corporate identity. The crossover shares many similarities with other Kia models, while remaining completely self-sufficient and distinctive.
A minor drawback of the hybrid is the reduced ground clearance. For many car owners, this is both a visual and a practical disadvantage, since problems arise when driving over rough terrain with pits and other irregularities.
Choosing a design concept, the manufacturer was guided by the traditional style, so the model differs from its predecessors only in the presence of some touches and changes.
The wheel arches are made of plastic in black, and the presence of a protective plate and other design elements at the rear gives the car a visual height.
The formal line on the roof makes the model look like a full-size Sorento. The manufacturer has well thought out the proportions of the body, so the 2020 Kia Niro Hybrid surpasses the futuristic Toyota Prius in terms of ergonomics and appearance.
Mirrors and door handles are painted in body color. The top-end Niro Touring comes with 18-inch wheels. In the basic version, only 16-inch variants are available.
Compared to the previous generation Kia Sportage, the new hybrid looks quite elegant and fresh. Additional aggressiveness to the appearance is added by the slots in the bumper, which improve aerodynamic properties. In addition, the designers took care of the solidity of the car, so they made it visually heavy and voluminous, which is considered an important advantage.
Salon Kia Niro Hybrid 2020
Externally, the car looks quite compact. But the presence of a large wheelbase (2700 mm) allowed manufacturers to make the interior as comfortable and spacious as possible. In terms of free space, the crossover surpasses the large Sportage.
The dashboard of the Kia Niro Hybrid 2020 is made in a traditional style. It displays clear similarities with previous generations. In addition, the carmaker has used identical finishing materials that look elegant and remain pleasant to the touch.
The soft finish is present at all points that the driver often comes into contact with during the operation of the vehicle. And equipping the car with glossy elements gives it additional elegance. The steering wheels and gear selector are finished in soft leather.
The dashboard interior follows a typical Kia concept. The entire front is filled with a scattering of keys with good ergonomics and thoughtful placement.
There is a large screen multimedia system with touch controls. It is characterized by quick responsiveness to pressing, but due to the glossy panel it is inconvenient to use in bright sunlight.
Also, some drivers complain about slow response and poor image quality of the rear view camera. During the daytime, the problems are minimal, but with a lack of light, they become more significant. There is a compartment under the dashboard for the USB port, AUX and 12V sockets.
The seats and steering wheel are flexible in height and position. At the same time, the seats are equipped with an 8-band electric adjustment with lumbar support. Similar options are present both in the driver's seat and in the front passenger seat.
The rear seats are not adjustable as the electric motor battery is located underneath. In this case, the car owner can fold the backs to obtain an even coating. Such an opportunity will be required, if desired, to increase the capacity of a regular trunk with a volume of only 335 liters.
The increased roofline height makes the model comfortable even for very tall people. Pleasantly pleased with the good all-round visibility, which remains despite the presence of fairly thick C-pillars. In addition, the manufacturer has provided a rear view camera and parking sensors for safe movement in low visibility conditions.
All Niros hybrids are equipped with a touch-controlled infotainment system. In the basic configuration, the screen diagonal is 8 inches, while in others it is 10.25 inches with provided navigation. The two versions feature key Kia services such as traffic tracking, camera proximity alerts, DAB and Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
The model also supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay systems, regardless of the selected configuration. With their help, you can control your smartphone through the center console on the dashboard.
All versions of Niros 2020, except for the base one, are equipped with a pad for wireless charging of gadgets that support this technology. The 8-speaker JBL speaker system guarantees high sound quality with deep bass and transparent treble. Also, the owner of the car receives a full-color display of the instrument panel with a diagonal of 4.2 inches in the initial configuration, and 7 inches in other versions. The system displays a wealth of important information and tips for efficient fuel economy.
Many hybrid car manufacturers are forced to sacrifice luggage space in favor of battery placement for the electric motor. In the Niro, however, the battery sits underneath the rear seats, so it doesn't take up useful trunk space. As a result, its volume is comparable to the larger Nissan Qashqai. But since the battery is located in the floor, this reduces the cargo volume of the luggage compartment.
In terms of spaciousness, the trunk of the Kia e-Niro is the largest of all 3 versions of the car. The flooring is fairly even, so loading things is quick and easy.
When seated in the rear seats, there is maximum comfort and spaciousness. Even for people taller than 1.80 m, staying in the crossover does not cause any inconvenience. The flagship package includes an electrically operated panoramic sunroof. It also houses numerous niches and pockets for storing useful things.
Specifications of the Kia Niro Hybrid 2020
The 2020 Kia Niro is a classic hybrid crossover that combines gasoline and electric motors. The generator is mounted on the shaft of a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It stands out for its good dynamism and is used only as an auxiliary system for the internal combustion engine, which provides a faster set of torque and maintaining speed.
The interaction of the two motors is fully automated. The battery is recharged from the fuel system when braking or coasting. There is no indication of the electric range. At the same time, the combined stock is displayed on the instrument panel, taking into account the remaining fuel mixture in the tank and the current battery charge.
New items Kia Niro 2020 work on the basis of a 4-cylinder gasoline unit with a volume of 1.6 liters and an electric motor. The hybrid power plant produces 141 hp. with. power. A 6-band "automatic" is used as a transmission.
The car is built on a front-wheel drive platform, and the acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes only 11.5 seconds.Under mixed operating conditions, fuel consumption is 3.5-4.7 l / 100 km. If you use only an electric motor, then the range will be 42 km. The maximum acceleration speed is 162 km / h.
The car has several driving modes, including "Sport". When this parameter is activated, the gas pedal becomes responsive, which is well noticed when moving from a standstill.
The Niro's handling is not satisfactory. The steering wheel is quite "heavy", so the crossover turns well even at a decent speed.
The hybrid crossover features advanced lane tracking technology. In the flagship versions, there is monitoring of the "blind" zones, winking with the lights of the side mirrors and emitting a characteristic sound. Also, the car is equipped with an emergency braking system.
Despite belonging to the crossover class, the Niro has a low ground clearance - only 160 mm. The machine is available only in front-wheel drive design. The two motors interact exclusively with the front axle.
The crossover quickly switches between power sources, and due to the smooth transition, there are practically no changes in the driving dynamics.
As with other hybrid cars, the new Niro features regenerative braking technology that recharges the battery by converting energy. The system is especially useful when moving in the urban cycle. But to stop completely, you have to apply increased pressure on the brake.
The model is characterized by a smooth and comfortable ride, even at high speeds. The undercarriage efficiently absorbs uneven surfaces, including expansion joints or speed bumps. But when moving along potholes, discomfort is felt.
The electric motor provides smooth and quiet running at reduced speeds. But if you press the pedal with all the force, the gasoline unit will begin to emit a fairly loud and aggressive sound. In other conditions, it is practically absent.
2020 Kia Niro hybrid price tag and equipment
The price of the car in Russia is still unknown. At the same time, in the European market, the starting price for the basic configuration starts from 30,000 euros. Taking into account the nuances of registration and customs clearance in the Russian Federation, it will grow by 10-15%.
In the standard version, the buyer is provided with 2-zone climate control, a compartment with USB ports on the front panel and a compartment for storing sunglasses. Also optionally available is adaptive cruise control, lane tracking technology and the option of emergency braking when detecting obstacles.
The mid-range version comes with luxury leather upholstery, heated steering wheel and heated electric seats. The version also has a progressive multimedia system.
The flagship version received heated rear seats, additional lighting and an on-board system warning about approaching speed cameras.
Combined CO2 emissions are only 86 k / km. If you choose a model with 18-inch wheels, they grow to 100 g / km.
Conclusion
The 2020 Kia Niro is a stylish, practical and compact crossover with virtually no competition in its segment. The distinctive advantages of the model include:
- Low fuel consumption.
- Rich equipment.
- The optimum ratio of price and quality.
- Roomy salon.
The disadvantage is the relatively low ground clearance and the lack of an all-wheel drive version. Also, some car owners speak negatively about the car's suspension, considering it quite tough.
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