ест: Kia Niro EX Champion Hybrid
Test Drive

ест: Kia Niro EX Champion Hybrid

Kia's first smaller hybrid (the Optima hasn't proven itself in our country) has a good chance that it could be more successful. Today, when many people are no longer sure whether a turbodiesel engine is really the right choice, the Niro may be a suitable alternative. But the first two letters of his name prevail - NO. It is not clear where they will actually take him. Despite claims by Kia's designers that it is a crossover, its appearance was previously thought to be a five-door mid-range sedan. It's also not the first crossover to feature a true hybrid engine. Almost simultaneously with this, the Toyota C-HR appeared. Compared to him, Niro is definitely NOT conspicuous. Most passers-by do not even notice that this is something new and unusual. A hybrid drive, at least for Slovenian buyers, is not yet something they would need to look for en masse. If so, even its price does not attract enough attention.

ест: Kia Niro EX Champion Hybrid

Of course, we can also give Niro some laudable adjectives. He was surprised that it could be driven very economically. Even more commendable, he was surprised by the combination of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, in which power is transmitted to the driven wheels through a dual-clutch transmission. This is especially true for those of us who are unwilling to adapt to Toyota's view of hybrids, where a continuously variable transmission is an essential component of the entire drivetrain. Anyone who has been bothered by the harsh and steady sound of the gasoline engine at higher revs at any high acceleration in previous hybrids will find more acceptable quieter and more enjoyable drive performance on the Niro. In general, Niro was surprised by the rather quiet operation of the engine and therefore the rather loud roar of the rolling wheels came to the fore (with a note that the test Niro, of course, was in winter tires).

ест: Kia Niro EX Champion Hybrid

Despite the rather cold, but fortunately dry weather, the Niro showed average fuel consumption in our test. We did a regular cycle at temperatures near freezing, but for about a tenth of the time, Niro worked only with electricity accumulated during the trip, that is, with an electric motor. It was definitely a surprise, only for more intense acceleration when driving around the city, a gasoline engine was added. A similar "habit" regarding the rapid consumption of the received electricity was noticeable most of the time when driving in urban conditions. Otherwise, we can say that the average consumption did not increase significantly even with more aggressive driving. "Aggressive", "normal" or "economy" driving is also automatically recorded by the on-board computer, with which you can usefully learn your own driving style. He carefully records the three methods already mentioned. At the end of each trip, when you turn the car off again with the key (only the Niro with the most expensive equipment can do without a key), you are shown the average fuel consumption for that trip. Of course, for a stupid, but at least as yet unknown reason, Kia forgot to provide a display of longer average fuel consumption - while many other data can be tracked, as well as stored in two places where the computer serves the distance traveled, the average speed and driving time. The dry conditions also pushed us to tackle corners quickly. The Niro grips the road surprisingly well, is a joy to ride through faster corners, and they only occasionally complain about the overly loaded winter tires. Overall, the shoe, aside from the already mentioned rolling noise, didn't quite live up to the Niro's performance, and the braking feel wasn't convincing. But here's a side note that almost every ride with winter tires is just a compromise, and for the perfect Niro performance impression, it would be better to have one wrapped in regular tires.

ест: Kia Niro EX Champion Hybrid

Niro is a mix, with all the ensuing consequences. One of them is also the appearance. For a product signed by one of the world's most respected designers, Peter Schreyer, Niro actually looks surprisingly inconspicuous. It's kind of a neat combination of the features of the "tiger face" mask, as the Koreans called it, and the inconspicuous back of the Sorrento, and between them are a few unobtrusive ordinary sheets of sheet metal without any decorations. I suspect that they were driven by the idea that they should distance themselves as much as possible from the only real competitors, Toyota hybrids. If you combine Nira and C-HR (which we did in last year's European Car of the Year competition in Denmark), we get two women. One, C-HR, is dressed in the latest Parisian haute couture, while the other, Niro, is hiding in a gray, inconspicuous business pantsuit. With Niro, you will definitely not be the center of attention, at least because of the form.

ест: Kia Niro EX Champion Hybrid

The interior seems to be perfectly acceptable for normal expectations. In fact, everything is the way we are used to in Korean creations that try to follow German clarity and simplicity. Only both screens are slightly different. In the middle in front of the driver is a digitized sensor, which Kia calls “surveillance”. It has two round fixed speed indicators, on the right and left, where all information about the engine operation is collected. The middle part can be adjusted and the information can be adjusted according to your wishes (for example, the already mentioned on-board computer). In the center of the dashboard is a pleasantly large (eight-inch) touchscreen, which is also aided by buttons located below it for some functions. The only comment that can be made by the tester is that Tom-Tom displays map images that don't seem very useful, and navigating navigation is time-consuming over and over again.

In terms of space, the Niro seems like the right size car. There seems to be a lot of space in front, the seats are quite solid. However, the driver has two options for adjusting the seat - either as in a car, that is, with the seat as close to the ground as possible, or elevated, as we are used to in SUVs or crossovers. Roominess for two passengers is also suitable in the rear seats, for a better impression it ensures the economy of the Koreans - the seated part of the rear bench is quite short. The trunk will be roomy enough for almost any use, and under the bottom, instead of a spare wheel, there is a device for patching and refueling the compressor. In any case, the driver should not afford a more serious puncture... However, this is already a common way to effectively save production costs for most car brands.

ест: Kia Niro EX Champion Hybrid

At Kia, we are always confused by their emphasis on a long warranty period, but they are quite stingy on some accessories where other brand customers get a better deal (e.g. mobile warranty, 12-year rust-proof warranty). Even the constant hype that only Kia offers the most cars for a buyer's money should be scrutinized by anyone who decides to buy a hybrid Nira. Some offer more or offer better and richer equipment for less. As always, careful testing and comparison will prevent future disappointment.

But if we are talking about sheet metal, a suitable drive and everything that we call a car, it should be noted that the customer will receive a very correct "package". In conclusion, if I change and adapt the sentence from the title: Niro is not the best you can get, but you get the right hybrid technology, which can even save you some money through more economical driving.

text: Tomaž Porekar

photo: Sasha Kapetanovich

ест: Kia Niro EX Champion Hybrid

Niro EX Champion Hybrid (2017)

Basic data

Sales: KMAG dd
Base model price: 25.990 €
Test model cost: 29.740 €
Power:104kW (139


KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h): 11,1 with
Maximum speed: 162 km / h
Mixed flow ECE: 5,1l / 100km
Guarantee: Seven years or 150.000 km total warranty, first three years unlimited mileage, 5 years or


Guaranteed 150.000 km for varnish, 12 years guarantee against rust
Systematic review 15.000 miles or one year. km

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Regular services, works, materials: 528 €
Fuel: 6.625 €
Tires (1) 1.284 €
Loss of value (within 5 years): 9.248 €
Compulsory insurance: 3.480 €
CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO +5.770


(
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Buy up € 26.935 0,27 (km cost: XNUMX


€)

Technical information

engine: 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - front mounted transversely - bore and stroke 72 × 97 mm - displacement 1.580 cm3 - compression 13,0:1 - maximum power 77,2 kW (105 hp) at 5.700 rpm – average piston speed at maximum power 18,4 m/s – power density 48,9 kW/l (66,5 hp/l) – maximum torque 147 Nm at 4.000 rpm – 2 camshafts in the head (toothed belt) - 4 valves per cylinder - direct fuel injection.


Electric motor: maximum power 32 kW (43,5 hp), maximum torque 170 Nm


System: Maximum power 104 kW (139 PS), maximum torque 265 Nm.


Battery: Li-ion polymer, 1,56 kWh
Energy transfer: the engine drives the front wheels - 6-speed dual clutch transmission - np ratio - np differential - rims 7,5 J × 18 - tires 225/45 R 18 H, rolling range 1,91 m.
Capacity: top speed 162 km/h - 0-100 km/h acceleration 11,1 s - average combined fuel consumption (ECE) 3,8 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 88 g/km - electric range (ECE) np km.
Transportation and suspension: limousine - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, coil springs, three-spoke wishbones, stabilizer bar - rear multi-link axle, coil springs, stabilizer bar - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc brakes, ABS, rear electric parking brake wheels (switch between seats) - steering wheel with a gear rack, electric power steering, 2,6 turns between extreme points.
Mass: empty vehicle 1.500 kg - permissible total weight 1.930 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake: 1.300 kg, without brake: 600 kg - permissible roof load: 100 kg
External dimensions: length 4.355 mm – width 1.805 mm, with mirrors 2.040 1.545 mm – height 2.700 mm – wheelbase 1.555 mm – track front 1.569 mm – rear 10,6 mm – ground clearance XNUMX m.
Inner dimensions: longitudinal front 880-1.120 mm, rear 600-850 mm - front width 1.470 mm, rear 1.470 mm - head height front 950-1.020 mm, rear 960 mm - front seat length 510 mm, rear seat 440 mm - luggage compartment 373 - 1.371 365 l – handlebar diameter 45 mm – fuel tank XNUMX l.

Our measurements

T = 6 ° C / p = 1.028 mbar / rel. vl. = 55% / Tires: Kumho Winter Craft WP71 225/45 R 18 H / Odometer status: 4.289 km
Acceleration 0-100km:11,1s
402m from the city: 17,9 years (


125 km / h)
test consumption: 6,9 l / 100km
Fuel consumption according to the standard scheme: 5,1


l / 100km
Braking distance at 130 km / h: 83,0m
Braking distance at 100 km / h: 44,9m
AM table: 40m
Noise at 90 km / h in 6rd gear60dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 6rd gear64dB

Overall rating (329/420)

  • With its first hybrid in the lower middle class, Kia offers very affordable solutions,


    However, not everything is as convincing for the price as it seems at first glance.

  • Exterior (14/15)

    Niro is unobtrusive and less daring than most of Kia's European creations.

  • Interior (96/140)

    Suitable family car with ample space. Nice solid ergonomics as well as combined


    more modern counters. The equipment is rich only if you opt for the more expensive version.

  • Engine, transmission (52


    / 40)

    The petrol engine and the electric motor are linked by a two-speed gearbox for pleasant comfort.


    driving experience. It runs very quietly, so the noisy and rough running of the (winter) tires greatly interferes with it.

  • Driving performance (60


    / 95)

    Very good driving position, not as convincing when braking.

  • Performance (28/35)

    Quite convincing acceleration figures, the top speed is limited, but quite satisfactory.

  • Security (37/45)

    With only the richest equipment, Kia also offers automatic city emergency braking assistance (with pedestrian recognition), our Niro only had a lane stop. It's a shame they save so much ...

  • Economy (44/50)

    Our consumption measurements were excellent despite current winter conditions. Niro can be very


    economical car. However, the guarantee does not provide what is promised under the slogan "seven years".

We praise and reproach

driving position

transmission, drive compliance and minimal noise

position on the road

suitable trunk

equipped with connectors

foot "hand" brake

wheel rolling noise

tire repair accessories

fuel tank opening on the left

laborious navigation

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