7 things we’ve learned about the Kia Niro hybrid during the Korean-market launching event.
The new Niro hybrid crossover has been officially unveiled in Korea at a rather formal launching event in Gawngjin-gu.
A pair of different vehicles were there for the event, and we got to learn a whole lot more than we previously knew about the Korean-specs Kia Niro hybrid crossover.
Here are the 7 most important facts we now know.
1. Projected sales figures of Kia Niro
Kia are looking to sell about 40,000 units of the Niro this year, with 18,000 units projected for South Korea, and the remaining number being sold on the global market. Those projection numbers are expected to climb next year.
2. Pricing: how much is a Kia Niro In Korea?
As previously reported, the Korean-market Kia Niro will come with 3 different trim levels, with prices ranging from 24,330,000 million won all the way up to 28,450,000 million won.
Consumers will be able to take advantage of an eco-friendly vehicle grant from the government that will see the pricing drop to between 22.335 million won and 26.55 million won, which equates to $19,300 an $24,000, respectively.
3. Fuel economy figures of Kia Niro
If there was one thing that everyone following the Niro story were waiting to hear, it was what we could expect in regards fuel economy. The news is good, as the Niro hybrid will have the best fuel economy of any SUV in South Korea.
The numbers come in at 20.1 km/l city, 18.7 km/l highway, and 19.5 km/l combined. Those are the stats you can expect when driving the Niro that has 16-inch alloys.
Things are a little different when the Niro is equipped with 18-inch alloys, with efficiency ratings set at 17.7/16.4/17.1 km/l city/highway/combined.
Previous reports stated that the US version of the Niro would likely achieve 50 mpg, but it seems that the Korean numbers are a little lower than that, so we will have to wait and see.
4. Exterior color options
The Korean version of the Niro hybrid will come in 6 different exterior colors, as well as 2 different interior options. It is expected that there will be more color options made available for the European and North American version of the vehicle.
5. Segment-leading car warranty
As you would expect from Kia, the warranty is great. You get a lifetime warranty on the battery, as well as a 10-year or 200,000 km motor warranty.
6. Kia Niro safety & protection
Safety has also been well addressed with the Niro CUV. All of the latest safety features will be added, including 7 standard airbags, which includes the first knee airbag in this segment.
7. Cars like Kia Niro (rivals)
The new Kia Niro hybrid is really the first vehicle of this kind in South Korea, but that doesn’t mean it won’t have any competition. You can expect the likes of the SsanYong Tivoli, Renault Samsung QM3, and GM Korea Chevrolet Trax to all be competing for the same customers.
If the price is under 20K when it comes to America too, it should sell pretty strong depending how well Kia advertises.
To add starting under 20K for a hybrid crossover is epic. But then again i was told to lease hybrids never buy a hybrid.
I think Kia’s would be the one ta go with if you want a SUV/crossover/hybrid like this. I want either a new Kia Soul, a car like the Scion iA, or perhaps a Mitsubishi Mirage hatch or G4 sedan next. I want smaller rigs, smaller is better in my book. The Chevy Spark or Mitsubishi Mirage hatches might actually be too small, however. Hence, the idea of getting a new Kia Soul or a Scion iA or wait for the 2017 Toyota Yaris iA. I drive a 2011 Kia Soul and Kia really has their head screwed on straight with the Soul. Kia is really getting better and better and better with each surpassing generation of their cars.
I wish that it was going to sell for 20k or less, but there is no way. The only reason it’s that cheap in the article is because of government subsidies. All the US subsidies for hybrids are expired. I suspect it will likely be at least 25k for a new one (but probably more like 28 or 30). But I hope you are correct and it IS 20k or less. That would be worth the new car first year depreciation (maybe).
Let’s here of the “CRASH TEST” reviews???