Page 75 - ElectriCar Magazine

MSRP: LX: $30,000
MPGe: 52
Horsepower: 139 hp
Engine: 1.6 L 4-cylinder Transmission: 6 speed dual clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive comes standard
has accurate steering, solid handling, and a generally cushioned ride. Add it all up, and you’ve got a small crossover that’s easy and enjoyable to drive.
The 2019 Niro was named the Top Safety Pick, (one
of the highest honors).
A rearview camera comes standard in the Niro. Available active safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring,
rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, lane change assist, driver drowsiness monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.
The Niro comes in five trims: LX, LXS, Touring, Touring Special Edition, and EX Premium. The Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid models feature a 139-horsepower powertrain comprised of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a six-speed dual- clutch automatic transmission. Front- wheel drive also comes standard.
Many buyers will be tempted to stick with the base trim, which comes with a nice array of standard features. That’s fine, but the LXS makes an even better choice. It is only one rung higher on the trim ladder and it adds several driver assistance features.
The base Niro LX comes standard with cloth upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control and a rearview camera. A UVO infotainment system is also standard with an 8-inch touch screen, four speakers, HD Radio, Bluetooth, a USB port, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
In addition to the base trim’s features, the Niro LXS comes with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist and driver drowsiness monitoring.
On top of the lower trims’ features, the Niro Touring comes with a sunroof, cloth and leather upholstery, a power- adjustable driver’s seat, satellite
radio, and adaptive cruise control.
The Niro Touring Special Edition includes leather upholstery, a 10.25- inch touch screen, navigation, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio
system, and an additional USB port. Standard features in the Niro EX
Premium include synthetic leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless device charging, and rear parking sensors.
The 2020 Niro is an intriguing
entry in the hybrid and electric SUV class. The Niro is smaller and has less storage space than most vehicles in this class. Compared with other subcompact SUVs, however, the
Niro has a decent amount of space for people and cargo. It comes
with user-friendly tech features and gets a good reliability rating.
The 2020 model year, the Niro lineup has its first official refresh. It does only apply to Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid models. Eventually, it only makes sense that the updates will make their way into the battery-electric variant.
Updates to the exterior are
minor, but easy to pick out. What
is arguably more important here is that the Niro gets an upgrade and modernized dashboard. It features a larger standard touch-screen infotainment system, which is now
8 inches compared to the outgoing model 7-inch. Upper-level trims offer a new 10.25-inch touch screen that’s one of the largest in the class.
Outside, the main changes are new headlights, a new diamond-patterned grille, new LED running lights in a double-chevron arrangement and new 16- and 18-inch wheel designs.
Kia has updated the drive-mode graphics in the digital gauge cluster and made an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard and a 10.3-inch unit optional. You could get excited about the optional steering- wheel shift paddles that will also
give you control over the intensity of the Niro’s regenerative braking.
This Hybrid is the best fit for most drivers as it offers excellent fuel economy. You may want to choose the mid-level LX trim, which adds to the Niro’s spartan base offerings roof rails, a push-button start,
rear LED taillamps, and a folding armrest for the second row.
automatic transmission. Total system output is 139 horsepower. The powertrain delivers adequate acceleration and enough overall muscle to move this crossover easily in most driving situations.
The Niro rates better than many of its hybrid competitors. The base Niro hybrid gets 52 MPGe in the city and 49 MPGe on the highway. LXS and EX Premium models get 51 MPGe in the city and 46 MPGe on the highway. Touring models get 46/40 MPGe city/highway.
The 2020 Plug-In Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 46 MPGe and 105 MPGe city/highway combined. It has an All-Electric range of 26 miles.
The EPA has not tested the 2020 Electric Vehicle model, but the 2020 Niro Electric Vehicle travels 239 miles on a full charge.
The Niro Plug-In Hybrid can charge in about nine hours using a standard 120v household-style power outlet. With a 240-volt outlet, you
can charge it in about 21⁄2 hours.
The Niro is highly maneuverable thanks to its tight turning radius. It also
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