2023 Kia Niro Continues Trifecta of Powertrains
By Edward A. Sanchez – Nov. 28, 2021
When The Watt Car drove and reviewed the 2019 Kia Niro EV, we were relatively impressed by the car’s solid credentials and respectable range, but were left less than impressed with its dated styling inside and out, in addition to its awkward driving dynamics. While we don’t yet have specifications on the 2023 Niro, we do have photos, and it’s clear that the Niro is a much more modern vehicle and takes a numbers of cues from the new EV6, particularly on the inside.
Kia unveiled the next-generation Niro at the 2021 Seoul Mobility Show and announced that, like the previous-generation Niro, it would continue to be offered in HEV, PHEV, and BEV variants.
While many hailed the EV6 as being indicative of Kia’s future as a brand, the new Niro decisively answers whether the EV6 would replace the Niro with an emphatic “no.” It also shows that Kia believes the internal combustion engine still has a bit of runway ahead of it, at least in hybrid and PHEV guises.
As is de rigueur for new models and concepts, sustainability and environmental friendliness are major themes with the new Niro, from its interior materials to its paint. The headliner is made from recycled wallpaper, with the seats featuring Bio PU material with Tencel made from eucalyptus leaves. The paint used is claimed to be free from benzene, toluene, and xylene isomers.
The 2023 Kia Niro sports a sharp exterior with a unique C pillar.
The “Opposites Unite” styling theme brings a much more modern look to the Niro, going from a quasi-‘90s style to one that’s emphatically part of the 21st Century, with vertical headlights and linear LED running lights. One of the more controversial aspects of the new Niro’s look is the contrasting color on the thick C pillar. All versions of the Niro shown so far have this contrasting color. It’s unclear whether a monochrome color option will be offered.
The interior shows strong influence from the EV6, with a two-spoke steering wheel, and a single-surface combined cluster and center infotainment display. The passenger side of the dashboard features horizontal accent lighting. All of the redesigned Niros feature a dial shifter, following in the footsteps of the outgoing BEV model, which was the only Niro to have a dial-type shifter.
The 2023 Kia Niro’s interior is a giant leap forward compared to the previous model.
In step with BMW and other brands offering PHEV models, the PHEV variant of the new Niro features a 'Greenzone Drive Mode' which automatically puts the PHEV into EV drive mode. When driving in green zones such as residential areas or nearby schools and hospitals, the vehicle automatically uses electric power based on navigation and driving history data. It also recognizes the driver's favorite places, including home and office, registered in the navigation system as a green zone.
On-sale dates and details were not announced other than it will be offered with HEV, PHEV, and EV powertrains “starting from next year.”
We are particularly curious (and excited) to see how many of the components of the E-GMP platform will make their way to the Niro EV, as well as the efficiency ratings and range. But even lacking that information, we think that for those who find the EV6 is slightly out of their budget, or where the EV6’s styling and packaging doesn’t meet their particular needs, the new Niro EV might be the perfect middle ground.
(Images courtesy Kia)
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