Expanded Kia Niro range offered

Kia has updated and expanded its electrified Niro SUV 2021 model year range in New Zealand.

Launched in 2018 in New Zealand as the world’s first purpose-built SUV designed solely for hybrid/EV power, the Niro range has more than doubled to eight.

Buyers can now select from five Niro hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, while the all-electric Niro EV line-up has grown to three.

“The Kia Niro has proved immensely popular across the entire range of hybrids and fully electric models since they were introduced,” Kia Motors New Zealand managing director Todd McDonald says.

“Niro is seen as fulfilling the needs of customers who want to reduce their carbon footprint, lower their fuel costs and still drive a vehicle that meets their requirements. As the electrified market has developed, we have taken the opportunity to broaden the range to better suit customer requirements and introduce popular model options to meet the high demand.”

Kia aims to significantly grow sales of eco-friendly vehicles to reach 25% of total production by 2025.

The 2021 Kia Niro features sharper front styling, new LED daytime running lights adopted from the best-selling Sportage, and silver skid plates on the lower edge of the bumper.

The rear design receives revised LED taillights, a new bumper and the same silver skid plate treatment with arrow-shaped reflectors and fog-lights.

Inside, it has a new more luxurious soft-touch dash top and gloss black trim with silver or satin chrome highlights.

The original Niro EX versions have now been joined by a new mid-range Niro SX and upmarket Niro Premium models across the HEV, PHEV and EV ranges.

All are shod with new alloy eco tyres to reduce rolling resistance.

A larger 8.0-inch central touchscreen is now fitted to the Niro EX model, while all the SX and Premium models get a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with satellite navigation.

Dual zone climate ontrol air replacing the previous single zone air conditioning system in the EX model.

Driver assistance technology is updated and all Niro EV models have seven air bags.

A larger 8.9kWh battery features in the SX/Premium PHEVs for improved performance, while Kia Motors NZ has standardised the electric power train around the 64kWh lithium-ion battery that provides 150kW of peak power and 395Nm of torque on the EV models.

This battery provides 455km range and, using a DC 100kW fast charging system, it can take 54 minutes to charge the battery up to 80%.

Kia Niro HEV/PHEV models start from $39,990 plus on-road costs, while the EV range starts from $77,990 plus on-roads.

All Niro models have a five-year/100,000km vehicle warranty programme, five years roadside assistance and a seven-year/160,000km warranty on the high voltage drive battery.