2022 Kia Niro: The best plug-in hybrid family car?

The all-new Kia Niro is available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric forms. Here we are testing the plug-in hybrid version in entry-level 2 specification.
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The Kia Niro is back for 2022 and uses an all-new platform and what is some eye-catching styling in an attempt to win over buyers. Not only that, but it has some of the most efficient powertrains in the business, whether you opt for the hybrid, plug-in hybrid or all-electric Niro EV.
In this case of our plug-in hybrid test car, Kia pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an 11.1kWh battery and an electric motor to deliver a pure EV range of up to 40 miles, and the possibility of returning around 50mpg even once the battery has depleted. This powertrain sits inside a family car that's easily roomy enough for four, and has a boot that is usefully bigger than you'll find in an Audi A3 e-tron or VW Golf GTE.
In this CarGurus UK review, Chris Knapman is your guide to all things Niro.
Read our full Kia Niro review: www.cargurus.co.uk/Cars/Kia-N...
▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 - Introducing the 2022 Kia Niro
01:36 - Styling
02:57 - Practicality
04:45 - Interior and infotainment
06:38 - Driving impressions
11:14 - Verdict
11:54 - Let us know what you think
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#cargurusuk #2022kianiro #kianiro

[@anthonystevens8683]

A good review Chris, it's certainly an interesting car to look at but at least it's not just a clone of what some other cars have been. The 2 model should be fine for most driving but I think I'd consider the 3 version given the difference from the 2. I'll wait for the E-Nero review for now. Thanks for sharing.

[@markking9435]

Awful design

[@PamenterDoug]

I have a 2021 model PHEV SX in Canada and I love it. Well done Kia.

[@cokeandtwirl]

We’ve just ordered a 3 spec HEV to replace our 2020 similar model (would have loved the PHEV but too expensive plus the price of electricity might make it less attractive??). I’ve watched several reviews and this is the best and most informative one and the first to confirm that the 3 spec gets the regen adjustment on the paddles - cheers!! Liked and subscribed!

[@valtairluciano3938]

Thank you very much. A comparison on PHEV small SUV consumption would be fantastic. Thanks

[@Bob10009]

I would have chosen the 3 over the 2 but as a company lease car it’s almost 50% more cash per month !!!

[@mra682]

With eyes on the road i prefer the feedback of physical bottoms, you can feel it.. i don't understand why manufacturers are moving away from this..apart from cost. I also like resting my hand on gear stick.. like daddy:)

[@joe80ss]

Looking at trim 3 in full hybrid not plug in hybrid for me.

[@alisonb4898]

I have the 2 spec coming in march and apparently the one thing it has over the others is wireless android which the higher spec ones lose.

[@richardwilliams961]

Surprised by low mpg as I have the old phev and I get 50 to 60 mpg all day long with battery depleted and in hev mode with mixed and motorway driving.

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the Video Review. I would choose the Plug In Hybrid In top spec 4 Trim

[@mars6394]

I have just purchased the 3 spec I couldn’t justify the 15k extra for the full ev it’s just not good value for the extra £15k worth of fuel gets me a hell of a lot of mileage

[@graantmnz]

hi mars6394 - there are conflicting reviews -this one says the 3 spec has the lower end digital number changing speedo ( a type i hate ) and another review says the 3 has the same dials dash as the 4 spec - what does your car have ? thanks

[@chasf3433]

Prefer the smaller estate car type design of my previous model Niro rather than this boxy SUV look, so I won't be changing.

[@UltraJaff]

From experience from the new hybrid, we got over 55MPG

[@joe80ss]

Not plug in??

[@UltraJaff]

@@joe80ss self Charging hybrid

[@joe80ss]

@@UltraJaff brilliant that's the one I want in trim 3

[@UltraJaff]

@@joe80ss ours is a 4 trim and it's likely heavier cos of the sunroof so I'd imagine the 3 may get better mpg

[@joe80ss]

@@UltraJaff nice how long was the wait for your order

[@keithmehrer86]

Perhaps a silly question but why does the PHEV have such a reduction when only driven in hybrid mode vs. the hybrid model?

[@unwisemonkey2945]

I could be wrong but think it’s because the battery is much larger and therefore much heavier. I guess it’s like driving around with a car full of people vs an empty one. The thing I don’t get is why the battery can’t assist the engine more, there should be like a middle ground between Hybrid driving and full electric like hybrid plus or something

[@SaxJockey]

​​@@unwisemonkey2945Yes, the PHEV battery is 111kg (245lb), compared to the HEV 34kg (75lb). So when depleted, the PHEV is hauling around a heavy weight = worse mpg (7:40). However, if the Regen braking can top up the battery (at least to that of the HEV), as indicated in the video (8:10) the mpg is comparable to the HEV. What he does not fully mention is that with a fully charged PHEV, the 'weighted' mpg is claimed to be around 300 😮. Maybe he missed that opportunity at 8:10. Be interesting to see how manufacturers come up with those very high numbers (what is the assumed battery/engine/speed cycle and weight loading). The other things to bare in mind is that the bhp/torque values are for the combined engine/battery/electric motor, so those will be lower when the batteries are low on charge...take note before overtaking 🤔. I'm considering the HEV; just making sure I understand the overall performance/variables.

[@jonathanmellish4439]

Good to see you testing the model 2 variant. I am also glad you aren’t as enthusiastic as other reviewers because i don’t find it pretty. The old one was ok. The back looks like a mix of Focus or Mitsubishi and the front reminds me of the old Sportage.

[@mrmawson2438]

Looks different

[@ryanlaffan7064]

If you are going on a long journey would you put it in hybrid mode or just use up you battery the first 30 miles or so?

[@burakburak9945]

Hybrid of course

[@1derekwinter1]

All levels have 17” wheels

[@harryadam1671]

We aren't an American colony yet. Can we spell litre correctly, please?

[@majinbuu19831]

This would be terrible to drive on Uber, because some passengers from the airport have 2 to 4 luggage an that trunk is a milk crate.

[@mrmawson2438]

I'm not sure what plug in Hibrid is trying to do

[@graantmnz]

very simple and useful - if you only travel to work or out to do errands and dont do more than 40 miles a trip - you can use it on electric only and no petrol - ideal for many people who dont do longer trips daily - but you have the engine for longer trips with no hassles of finding a charger ...this is a good idea for countries ( like NZ ) where the charging infrastructure for pure EV's does not exist in any quantity. We have a phev on order

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Dodge tax and fines

[@colinlambert791]

Weird shaped dashboard. Don't like it, but will reserve judgement until I see it in the flesh.