“Engineered to strike the perfect balance for today’s urban consumer, Niro’s style and driving performance satisfies our emotional wants while its utility and hybrid efficiency takes care of our logical needs,” said Ted Lancaster, VP & COO, Kia Canada Inc. “It’s another first for Kia and yet another example of how our lineup continues to give Canadians smart solutions for their driving needs.”

Smooth and reliable performance is delivered through our full parallel hybrid system that pairs an energy-dense 1.56 kWh lithium-ion battery, a lightweight electric motor and the Niro’s 1.6L, gasoline-direct injection (GDI) engine for a combined 195 lb-ft of torque. The result is high-efficiency performance.

The Niro makes the most of every driving situation. At low speeds, it can operate in EV (electric vehicle) mode. When you need a little extra power to accelerate and climb, the engine and electric motor run at the same time. The Niro can even recharge a low battery at fixed speeds.

Any time you slow down, the regenerative braking system charges Niro up. Then, during deceleration, the electric traction motor captures the kinetic energy to recharge the battery.

While many hybrids use a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Niro raises the bar by using a highly responsive, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) that shifts gears smoothly and quickly. The result is a crisp, exhilarating drive. This is how a hybrid should perform.

Niro has also been making waves with steady accolades since its introduction. Most recently Niro was awarded:

• AJAC – 2018 Canadian Green Utility Vehicle of the Year
• iF Product Design Award

While the clever packaging of the high-voltage battery assists in delivering a desirable driving experience, its location underneath the rear seats also increases cabin and cargo space and allows a flat load floor. In addition to spaciousness and comfort, ensuring a quiet interior environment was also a key development focus for engineers. Noise and vibration countermeasures were employed to minimize at the source, with specially designed engine mounts, equal-length driveshafts, and even by adding a damper inside the steering wheel hub to minimize vibrations felt in the steering wheel.

The Niro is offered with a suite of available advanced driver assistance and convenience technologies, including Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Lane Change Assist (LCA); Smart Cruise Control (SCC); Lane Departure Warning (LDW); and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). Aimed at keeping Niro drivers connected at all times, Kia’s award-winning infotainment system includes AndroidAuto™ and Apple CarPlay®, all displayed on a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen.

Niro is the first Kia to make use of an all-new, dedicated eco-car platform and is an important next step on the path to nearly tripling the brand’s global EcoDynamics line-up by 2020. Click the TEST DRIVE button below and enjoy a complete guided tour and road test of what may just be your first gas-electric hybrid vehicle!