Kia has revealed its all-new 2022 Niro electrified SUV at the 2021 Seoul Mobility show.
Completely redesigned from the ground up according to Kia, the new Niro will replace the outgoing model that dates back to 2016 but only arrived here earlier this year.
The redesigned Niro will launch here in the third quarter of 2022.
Pictured: Kia Niro EV (left) and Kia Niro Hybrid (right)
Kia will continued to offer the Niro with the following electrified powertrains – a regular hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or battery-electric (EV) – and Australia is confirmed to receive all of them.
The South Korean automaker stopped short of mentioning the powertrain and battery specifications, but don’t expect any drastic changes from the outgoing Niro.
The current car uses a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and six-speed dual-clutch automatic in hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, with total system outputs of 104kW of power and 265Nm of torque, while the EV model uses a 64kWh battery and a 150kW/395Nm electric motor.
The Niro closely resembles the 2019 Habaniro concept, with its unique two-tone body treatment and chunky crossover silhouette.
At the front is Kia’s signature ‘Tiger Face’ grille that now extends from the bonnet right through to the accented front bumper lip.
There are LED daytime running lights with a ‘heartbeat’ signature, with the low- and high-beam headlights within the same housing. Rectangular fog light housings can be seen at the bottom of the front bumper.
Just like the outgoing Niro EV, the charging port is on the front of the vehicle although this time it’s no longer off-centre and is instead located directly under the Kia emblem.
Around the side of the vehicle is a wide C-pillar that Kia says enhances air flow to improve aerodynamics.
This C-pillar also incorporates the vertical, boomerang-style LED tail lights that almost stretch from the rear doors to the rear wheel arches.
The brake lights and indicators are tucked into the lower corners of the rear bumper.
Other than that, Kia has kept the rear of the new Niro simple to create contrast between the angular and dynamic front fascia.
Inside the all-new Niro will seem familiar if you’ve seen the all-electric EV6.
There’s an off-centre dash that features a singular housing for the infotainment touchscreen and the digital instrument cluster.
Other notable features are the rotary-style gear selector, ambient interior lighting and the two-spoke steering wheel.
According to Kia the seats are slim and lightweight and have a coat hanger in the headrest back.
Kia says it has used recycled materials inside the cabin with the headlining made from recycled wallpaper, the seats from bio-based polyurethane from eucalyptus leaves, and BTX-free paint on the door panels.
A new driving mode Kia has implemented in the Niro is the ‘Greenzone Drive Mode’ that automatically switches the vehicle into EV-mode around green-zones like residential areas, schools, and hospitals.
It does this by using navigation cues and driving data history.
Pictured: Current Niro EV
The Greenzone drive mode can also recognise a driver’s favourite places, including home and office locations registered on the navigation system.
This all-new Niro is part of Kia’s plan to go carbon neutral by 2045.
The automaker aims to fully electrify its vehicle line-up in Europe by 2035, and “key markets’ by 2040.
MORE: Everything Kia Niro
