The 2017 Kia Niro is Kia’s new hybrid crossover with a 50 mpg rating and plenty of space for passengers and cargo. Now, Kia Motors Europe’s COO Michael Cole has stated in a recent interview that the electric Niro is coming in 2018. What first started as a concept vehicle at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show has finally blossomed into a 3-powertrain compact sport utility.
The hybrid version of the Niro is set for North American launch sometime soon, in Spring 2017. The plug-in hybrid Niro will arrive late this year, possibly September or October, and will have an all-electric range of about 26 miles. Kia has confirmed a full electric version of the Niro will show up in 2018.
Sharing drivetrain components with the Hyundai IONIQ, the Kia Niro EV will have a 28 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that should be good for a range of approximately 124 miles. The IONIQ is rated for 124 EPA miles, but with a slightly different shape, and likely different overall weights, we’ll have to wait and see if the Niro is the same or slightly less.
The Kia Niro Hybrid has been on sale in South Korea since early 2016, and has set sales records there that helps show that the market is ready for a compelling hybrid that isn’t a sedan.
Hyundai has said that they are planning a 200 mile + IONIQ EV for 2018 – perhaps the Niro EV will launch with the bigger and better battery pack as well.
