Niro comes as a hybrid or EV, as an S or a GT-Line, but unlike the hapless emperor of the same name, does not fiddle while you burn. Clever old Kia packaged the pluck out of this bijou box. The 75 grand GT-Line EV costs as much as a Tesla Model Y, making even the hardest core of the Kia crowd consider a travelling in a Tesla.

Meanwhile, the entry level Niro S is far better value, and is my pick of the Niro range.

For 44 grand and some change ($49,435 drive away), you get a nicely designed, high-riding hatchback. Rear space is capacious, and the driver is spoiled by LCD screens, cupholders and USB sockets. There are driver aids, and a plethora safety gizmos. Get the specification sheet HERE: All-new Kia Niro Specification Sheet

It is a comfortable little conveyance, and for a change, the promised economy is not too far off the claim of 4.0L/100k.

GT-line has nicer additions, like a dial for gears, and twin 10.25” screens.

The hybrids drive steadily but leisurely, with a 0-100kph in excess of 10 seconds. Steering is nicely weighted, brakes feel progressive, and the ride is firm yet compliant.

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ABOVE: 2023 Kia Niro

The Cabin:

The “feel” of the interior is decent taste done on a budget. It is clever, with USBs in the front seatbacks for the use of those in the pauper pews.

Materials don’t feel downmarket, nor do they scream, “luxury.”

Space, is my word du jour. As I said, there is enough room for 4 adults, and I’m not scrimping on size either. There is no substitute for size, every gay in the village knows that.

The Drive:

I took the Niro S “down the Gong”, Wollongong to those less Sydneyesque than myself. The mercy mission, taking a mate to his sick mum, made much of the miniscule drinking habits. The foul weather tested Niro’s pluck, and pluck it did.

Niro felt secure and safe, and above all, stable. Although tagged as a city car for the young, 44k is a chunk of change for a newbie. You won’t be towing anything, and just as well. Apart from the fact that towing is a pain in the nethers, you’re limited to a very small trailer.

The small 42L tank is going to get you 800-900kms of pleasure, guilt free, almost. Hybrids don’t need to tether to an outlet every 5 minutes, so those not yet fulsome of EV spirit can get themselves into a cheaper alternative for the time being.

Niro was a fun little thing that felt well put together. The small battery gives the transmission-mounted motor enough juice for short stints on electric-only propulsion, and there is enough space for the afore-mentioed 4 adults. There might even be room for 4 duffels in the boot, making a weekend away with mates rather a fun proposition. We didn’t get a chance for the big gay wekeend away in this one, maybe next time.

The Boys: Casper thought Niro felt a little cheap. Max loved the look. Ethan think hybrids aren’t worth the money. 

Wireless carplay was so welcome, but the audio system has the definite ring of “beginner” about it.

There are only FWD Niros, and with both Yaris Cross and Corolla Cross having cheaper AWD hybrids, we did wonder if Kia’s numbers quite added up.

Conclusion:

Niro is cute, fun, frugal, and financially finessed. It doesn’t cost a bomb, so the money you save buying and running it, can be better spent on weekends in the wilderness. Well, the wilderness of a country pub with beers on tap anyway.

We loved Niro, but the numbers matter.

We thought the top EV to be a non-starter when a Tesla Model Y can be had for the same price. The Hybrids present better value, but Hybrids over at Toyota will be giving the Niro a run for its money. For a little less you can have a much bigger Corolla Cross hybrid GX hybrid ($40,416 drive away) VS the base Niro ($49,435 drive away). In fact, the range-topping Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD is $51,364 and AWD $54,689 drive away. The FWD Niro GT-Line hybrid is $55,369, almost $1,000 more than the AWD Corolla Cross.

This is going to come down to wait times. Toyota has 2 years on some of its hybrid models. While Kia also has wait times, it might tip the scales in one direction or another.

 

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