Carbuyer Magazine – August 2019

Tr ustedReviews|Owner Opinion|ExpertAdvice

THE NiroPHEVis aplug-inhybridversion of thestandardNiro. It has a

bigger batterythanthestandardcar andasocketthatallowsyouto

chargeit whenparked, while its priceputs it incontentionwith the

Volkswagen GolfGTE–acar that appealsinavery differentway.

Theplug-inhybridfeelsmuchthesameto driveasthestandard

Niro, although itcanbedrivenforupto36mileson electric power

alone. Some urbancommuterswillfind thissufficientforatripto work

andback,while a29g/kmCO2emissionsfigureisattractive.

UnlikethestandardNiro, there’s just one trimlevelfor the PHEV.

However, it’svery well equipped,with Bluetooth, dual-zoneclimate

control,aJBLstereoandleather seats, alongwith an eight-inchdisplay.

Alargerbatterypackmeansthe NiroPHEVhasasmaller boot than

thestandardNirohybrid. Bootvolumeis reducedto 324 litresbehind

therear seats, and it’s 1,322 litreswith themfolded down. In

comparison, the MINICountrymanplug-inhybrid SUV rival

offers405 litres,while thelarger Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

has463 litres.Atleastthereare alsogenerouslysizedstorage

cubbiesinthe front andrear of thecabin, soyouwon’t be

shortofsomewheretokeep oddsand ends.

“Plug in the NiroPHEVeverytime

you park,and you may never

needto fill it with petrol”

Kia NiroPHEV

36-mile electricrange, good

equipment,long warranty

Firm ride quality, smallish

boot,quiteexpensive

Da

ta

Sheet

Engines:1.6plug-in hybrid

Trim levels:PHEV

Economy:58.9mpg

Road tax:£135

0-62:10.8sEuro NCAP:★★★★★★★★

Carbuyerrating

★★★★★★★★★4.0/ 5

Price £31,195

Ourpick

1.6GDi

PHEV

£31,195

Headto Carbuyer.co.uk forvideoreview,

full specifications,prices and much more...

Owners’rating

★★★★★★ ★3.9/5