Written by Marco Carvajal
2022 Kia Niro EX Premium
I am test driving the Niro, a hybrid compact crossover SUV created by Kia. It is the brand’s first hybrid crossover. This fun-to-drive crossover goes to unexpected limits, it brings the efficiency of a hybrid to some of the highest levels one can expect. The Niro is the art-work of hybrid innovation, engineered for an enjoyable drive. The Niro is available in a hybrid version, also as an EV all-electric, or as a Plug-in-hybrid combining gas and electricity. The Kia Niro EV is an all-electric crossover that is similar in performance to the Hyundai Kona EV.
The Niro smart technology includes regenerative braking captures the energy produced when you slow down and uses it to recharge Niro’s lithium-ion drive battery
I am test driving the regular hybrid version and it is a fun to drive and very smart car. The design is cute and modern, and even if the interior space is compact, it seems that Kia has optimized space distribution to produce a large space inside a small space.
Fuel Economy
The Niro’s parallel hybrid system combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor to deliver up to an EPA-estimated: 50 City, 53 Highway and 48 Combined miles per gallon. Years ago it was a dream to imagine levels of fuel consumption that could run your car for around 50 miles just with one gallon, but now this is possible with the very efficient and modern Niro.
Engine
The compact Niro’s 1.6L, gasoline-direct injection GDI engine provides necessary power to the hybrid drivetrain. Don’t go off-roads but enjoy the Niro everywhere in the city and suburbs. Part of the power of the Niro is enhanced by a highly responsive, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission DCT, with Sport Mode shifts gears smoothly and quickly for seamless acceleration. Sport Mode provides improved steering feel, increased throttle response, and raised shift points.
The Kia Niro EV is powered by a 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor with 395 N•m of torque, allowing the electric car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.8 seconds. The electric motor is powered by a lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 64 kWh, which provides a cruising range of 385 km on a single charge. Buyers will also be able to buy a crossover with a 39.2 kWh lithium-polymer battery, which will allow the electric car to travel up to 246 km on a single charge.
The 2022 Niro includes modern hybrid technology and a trendy new look for a low price starting around $24K.
Some of the highlights of the hybrid Crossover are the 63.2 cubic feet of cargo space, EPA-Estimated MPG of up to 50 Combined, Available Suite of Kia Drive Wise Driver Assist Technologies, Standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto, Available Remote Start with Key Fob, Available Smart Cruise Control–Curve with Stop and go to save energy and fuel.
Bold Modern Look
The bold front grille features a diamond pattern producing a 3-D look that looks modernized. The upgraded rear bumper and available LED Rear Combination Lights complete a sporty and smart look of this hybrid.
Even if the Niro is a compact car, the Niro’s interior space is smart and optimized with a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat that allows for up to 63.2 cubic feet of cargo space.
The Niro’s interior is not big but is smart and comfortable, for an enhanced interior experience you can order the available 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, high positioned seating showcases a superior view of the road, available heated and ventilated seats, available heated steering wheel, and available power sunroof.
Advanced Tech
The Niro looks fantastic on the technological aspects, Kia made an amazing work to offer lots of technology inside this low price of Hybrid car. There is a standard 8.0-inch display and also an available 10.25-inch touchscreen display with split-screen capability allow access to available features like the Voice-Command Navigation System.
Standard Apple CarPlay that lets you send texts verbally, receive calls, and access your favorite apps all while keeping your focus on the road without touching your phone for a safer ride. The standard Android Auto can make calls, dictate texts, and access voice-guided navigation directly from your phone and your car.
The updated interior of the 2020 Niro starts with a unified dashboard design and available 8-inch LCD Supervision Instrument Cluster for digital driver information and everything seems easy to access without distracting you too much from focusing on your driving. Technology inside the Niro is smart and easy to use, just what you expect from a new modern hybrid automobile.
KIA Driver assist technologies onboard the Niro
When driving a Niro, you can feel safe and enjoy the latest safety technologies, like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA w/ Ped) that comes standard on all Niro trims and gives audible and visual alerts when it detects a potential hazard in your path, including harder to detect pedestrian.
Also Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) is a standard detection system that can send out visual and/or auditory alerts to help warn you of objects it detects that there are not visible for the driver, this smart technology is like having a co-pilot driving with you and alerting you for hard to view objects.
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW) works when the car is driving in reverse, standard RCCW can warn you if it detects oncoming obstacles, and may help apply the brakes to help mitigate a collision. I love that Kia includes all this safety features standard.
Finally among other safety features, Niro drivers can enjoy Lane Following Assist (LFA). The Standard LFA can help correct lane position by applying steering input in order to help maintain course if it detects your vehicle getting too close to lane markers. This features helps you stay on the right track on the highway.
Trims and Pricing for the 2022 Kia Niro Hybrid
One of the best features of Kia is low and value pricing. In the past Kia automobiles used to be much cheaper but still today with an slightly higher price than before, Kia pricing is low compared to all the features and value you get standard.
You can buy a nice new Niro for only $24K with the base model, or go to the top of the line premium trim model for around $31K.
- LX
$24,690 Starting MSRP - LXS
$26,090 Starting MSRP - LXS SPECIAL EDITION
$27,590 Starting MSRP - TOURING SPECIAL EDITION
$29,890 Starting MSRP - EX PREMIUM
$31,990 Starting MSRP
The Kia Niro received the title of “Guinness World Records” for the lowest fuel consumption of a hybrid vehicle in 2016.
The Niro traveled all the way from site do side of the West coast to the East cost of the United States. From Los Angeles to New York, with an amazing world record fuel consumption of 76.6 Miles per Gallon. Impressive, worth of a Guinness Record!
2022 Kia Niro EX Premium Highlights
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1.6L Engine with Hybrid Electric Motor, 139 Combined Horsepower
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Power Sunroof, Roof Rails
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16-inch Alloy Wheels w/ Partial Cover
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SynTex Seating Materials
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10-Way Power Driver’s Seat Adjustment, w/ 2-way Power Lumbar Support
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Heated Steering Wheel
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10.25-inch Touchscreen w/ Navigation, Kia Connect and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
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Rear Camera with Dynamic Parking Guidance
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Harman Kardon 8 Speaker Premium Sound System w/ Clari-Fi Technology and Integrated Subwoofer
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Wireless Phone Charger
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Smart Key with Push Button Start with Remote Start
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Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control-Curve (NSCC-C) w/ Stop & Go
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Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist-Ped (FCA-Ped) & Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist-Cyc (FCA-Cyc)
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Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
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Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW)
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Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Lane Following Assist (LFA)
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Driver Attention Warning (DAW) & Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA)
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Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
Buying a Niro can be a great investment that won’t kill your budget and not only you are buying a very nice hybrid car for a low price, but also you are going to save thousands of dollars on gas due to its great low efficiency with an average of 50 miles consumption of gas per gallon.
The Kia Niro EV took top honors in the mass market category from the J.D. Power of the 2022 Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) for the second year in a row. JD Power surveyed more than 8,000 electric vehicle (EV) owners on critical factors including cost of ownership, battery range, service experience, style and driving pleasure to determine ownership satisfaction and repurchase probability to find great satisfaction among Kia Niro owners.
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