Kia’s all-new 2017 Niro hybrid’s most notable feature is how normal it looks.
Kia introduced the new car at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show and at first glance it looks like any other small crossover, with a familiar two-box design. It’s a notable departure from cars like the Toyota Prius, which has styling to make it look different than other cars as a way to show that it’s a hybrid.
The Niro’s styling is much more conservative than other cars from Kia like the Optima or Soul, but its athletic lines reveal themselves slowly. It looks more European than Korean in design and execution.
Another departure from other hybrids is the powertrain. Although it is expected to deliver around 50 mpg, it was designed to be fun and engaging to drive. The system has the electric motor and gasoline engine working in tandem, more like the old Honda Insight as opposed to the Prius’ system that allows the two motors to work independently.
The 1.6-liter, direct-injected, Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder makes 103 horsepower. Along with the 43-horsepower electric motor, the system makes a combined 146 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The power is delivered to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, another departure from other hybrids that’s meant to make the car more fun to drive.
The Korea-built Niro isn’t expected to go on sale in the United States until around this time next year, but it will be for sale in Korea and Europe this year.
Check out the full TFLcar video from the Chicago Auto Show to learn everything about the new 2017 Kia Niro:
