Kia Niro PHEV wins Red Dot design award

The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid has won a Red Dot Design Award in the product design category. 

Kia says the award is a testament to its commitment to designing innovative vehicles that meet the needs of its customers while also staying at the forefront of design.

The manufacturer says the Niro Plug-in Hybrid features an aesthetic, guided by Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. The look was designed to inspire movement. Notable features include angular ‘Heartbeat’ daytime running lights (DRLs), a distinctive Aero C-Pillar, a  skid plate and cladding to enhance the electrified crossovers rugged stance combined with the latest evolution of Kia’s signature Tiger Face.

The Kia Niro comes with the choice of three electrified powertrains: full-electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. All three variations also feature eco-friendly interior materials, ranging from recycled wallpaper in the headliner, VOC-free paint in the door panels, and PU vegan leather seat coverings, made from Tencel from Eucalyptus trees. In addition, the cargo screen contains 75% recycled fibres.

“We are honoured to be recognised by the Red Dot Design Award for our efforts, and we look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of automotive design,” Kia Europe product and marketing vice president Sjoerd Knipping says. 

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our design and engineering teams, as well as the winning nature of our ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy,” he says.

The Red Dot Design Award is one of the most sought-after seals of design quality. Each year, an international jury examine the submissions for design quality and degree of innovation. 

This achievement comes after a long line of design award wins by Kia. The latest success by the Niro Plug-in Hybrid marks the 28^th Red Dot awarded to a Kia model since 2009. Last year, the all-new EV6 was crowned ‘Best of the Best’ for its pioneering and forward-looking design, and in 2021, the Kia Sorento also won the Red Dot Award  for its product design. 

Kia vehicles aren’t the only Kia products to reap design accolades. In 2022, the company’s ‘Moving Inspiration Project,’ a design installation highlighting the company’s brand philosophy in Italy, was also awarded a Red Dot Design Award.