2022 Kia Niro: Everything we know about Kia's electrified crossover

UPDATE, April 5, 2022: Kia Niro PHEV and EV models get spec boost

Powertrain details of the 2022 Kia Niro PHEV (plug-in hybrid) and EV (electric vehicle) variants have been unveiled by the company’s UK arm.

While earlier reports suggested the Niro would carry over everything from the outgoing model, Kia has updated some of its electrified versions with new batteries and electric motors.

The Niro PHEV will continue with the same 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the conventional hybrid (HEV) detailed below, but the battery has been upgraded from 8.9kWh to 11.1kWh, increasing its electric-only driving range from 50 kilometres to 65km (WLTP cycle).

The increased driving range is in part thanks to a new 5.5kWh Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater, which helps improve the battery’s performance in colder temperatures.

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Kia has also removed the reverse gear from the transmission, relegating all reverse driving to the electric motor, while saving 2.3 kilograms of weight.

Power is also improved in the PHEV, with the previous car’s 44.5kW electric motor swapped out for a 62kW unit, accounting for a healthy increase from a combined 104kW to a total of 135kW.

While the zero-emissions Niro EV has retained its 64kWh battery pack and 150kW electric motor, its claimed driving range has increased from 455km to 463km (WLTP).

Kia Australia has confirmed the Niro HEV, PHEV, and EV versions will be arriving early in the third quarter (July to September inclusive), with local pricing and final specifications expected closer to launch.

The story to here

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January 17, 2022: Electric and hybrid power confirmed

Some specifications for the 2022 Kia Niro have been confirmed, with the company announcing it will offer a conventional hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and fully-electric (BEV) variants.

Kia will open the Niro range with the HEV, which mates a 77kkW/144Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 32kW electric motor for a combined output of 104kW and 265Nm, all while helping to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions.

As with the vehicle it replaces, the Niro HEV will send power to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with the carmaker quoting fuel economy figures as low as 4.8L/100km.

Kia has yet to detail the PHEV and BEV variants for Australia, but as reported in November, it’s expected the outgoing model’s powertrains will carry over, though possibly with some minor improvements.

The 2022 Kia Niro is due to launch “later this year” according to the brand, with more detailed pricing and specification to be announced in the coming months.

A report out of South Korea suggests the new-generation Kia Niro will see powertrains carried over from the outgoing model.

While yet to be confirmed by the carmaker, the report points to a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine accompanying a traditional hybrid-electric system (HEV), as well as a plug-in (PHEV) version, which offers up to 58 kilometres of electric-only driving in the current model.

An all-electric (BEV) version is also likely, which allows 455km of driving from a single charge from a 150kW/395Nm electric motor powering the front wheels.

Click on the link below to read the report in detail.

November 25, 2021: Next-gen Niro revealed

Kia has finally taken the covers off its second-generation Niro, revealing the crossover which will aid its transition from internal combustion engines to total electrification.

Based on the 2019 HabaNiro concept, we've seen multiple leaks of the 2022 Kia Niro, from its unique front daytime-running light design to the rear boomerang lights – culminating in renders which closely reflect the finished product.

The updated looks bring an interesting choice for buyers with the D-pillar featuring a contrast colour to the rest of the body – although it's understood this can be deleted in favour of a more traditional look.

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Moving in line with the rest of Kia's current model range, you can see the influence of cars such as the Sportage and EV6 on the new Niro, from the fresh 'tiger-face' grille design to the 'heartbeat' daytime-running lights.

Despite the heavy styling revisions over the current Niro, it's understood the 2022 model will ride on the same platform and provide the identical powertrain options as its predecessor, with tweaks to the deployment of its power being the key difference.

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In plug-in hybrid variants, Kia has introduced its new 'Greenzone Drive Mode' – a system which automatically assesses the driving environment to either utilise the internal combustion engine and electric motor power together, or just the latter for a pure-electric experience in certain situations.

In residential and urban areas, the satellite navigation provides information to the power unit systems to provide the most efficient power delivery, also learning from previous journeys to ultimately deliver lower fuel consumption.

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The eco-friendly theme continues with how the Niro is produced – the BTX paint on its door panels is water-based and free from benzene, toluene, and xylene isomers. Meanwhile, the interior is made of recycled wallpaper, bio polyurethane and Tencel, which is made from eucalyptus leaves.

Continuing with the cabin, the infotainment screen is horizontally-mounted and deliberately off centre, flanked by air vents on either side, while the rotary gear selector frees up space in the central portion of the dash.

On the back side of the first-row head rests, rear occupants will find a coat hanger hook, moving it from the traditional spot underneath the rear grab handles.

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Kia is yet to confirm the official specifications of the Niro, both for the global market and Australia, but it's expected the first versions of the Niro will be released worldwide in the second half of 2022.