Launched for the 2017 model year, the Kia Niro is a subcompact crossover positioned below the popular Sportage. Previewed by a concept vehicle introduced in 2013, the Niro is built on the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq, and it's available with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and electric motor combo, in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. A gasoline-only version isn't on a drawing table yet, but a fully electric model is definitely underway. Already spotted testing on public roads in 2017, the Niro EV broke cover at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in concept form.

Heavily based on the production model, the electric concept is more than just a Niro with an electric motor and a battery. Kia also meddled with the exterior design and created a new lighting system for the show car. Inside the cabin, it features an updated "human-machine interface" and an array of new safety features. Surprisingly enough, Kia redesigned the Niro's interior for the all-electric model. Alongside the Niro EV, Kia also unveiled plans to launch 16 new electrified vehicles by 2025. The range includes five hybrids, five plug-in hybrids, five all-electric models, and a hydrogen-powered vehicle. The latter is planned to arrive in 2020 and could be based on the Hyundai Nexo, also unveiled at the 2018 CES.

The production version of the Niro EV is likely to debut by the end of 2018.

Continue reading to learn more about the Kia Niro EV concept.

2018 Kia Niro EV Concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 Kia Niro EV Concept
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

- Redesigned headlamps and taillights - New daytine running lights - New rear bumper with LED lights - Sporty side skirts - Black window trim - New wheel design - "Motion graphic" lighting system

ids=756528,665955

no_overlay=true>


At quick glance, it’s pretty obvious that the show car is a modified Niro. All the familiar features are there, including the headlamps and taillights, the "Tigernose" grille, and traditional crossover shape. But unlike the production model, the concept comes with a new headlamp layout that includes a triangular cover for each unit, as well as a new LED configuration with small vertical strips. The grille has been modified too. The "tigernose" design is still there, but the traditional mesh has been replaced by a body-colored element that also includes a display saying "Hello CES." This is part of the "motion graphic" lighting system that's supposed to warn pedestrians of a possible collission.

Below the grille is a revised bumper with a wider intake. The standard daytime running lights are gone, replaced by LED units positioned higher and further apart in the bumper. They also have a new, three-piece configuration shaped like the letter Y.

ids=756529,665960

no_overlay=true>


Things become a lot more interesting around back, where Kia replaced the Niro’s usual taillights with slimmer units. On top of being thinner, which gives the crossover a more aggressive stance, they also feature a new LED pattern with thin stripes around the lens and vertical bars, similar to those seen up front. The red lights in the bumper also mimic the "Y" shape of the daytime running lights. The license place recess is much wider now and looks like a sporty diffuser. Inside, there’s "Niro EV" lettering in white LED lights.

The SUV’s profile appears to be the same, but I can see a new side skirt design, new wheels with a three-spoke, two-tone design, and black window trim. The wheelarch cladding is a bit thicker and finished in high-gloss black, while the ride height appears to be a bit bigger than the standard Niro.

Interior

- Brand-new interior - Three-tier dashboard - No lower center stack - Rotary gear knob - Digital instrument cluster - Flat-bottom steering wheel - Leather upholstery - Sporty seats - Dual-zone sound system - Vocal recognition - Gesture controls - Active Pedestrian Warning System

While the exterior is heavily based on the production model, the interior was redesigned from a clean sheet. The dashboard design is very clean and has a three-tier layout. The upper section is grey and covered in what appear to be leather. A recess on the driver's side holds the digital instrument cluster that replaces simulated clocks with colored bars and large figures. The second tier includes a slim vent on the passenger side and the infotainment screen in the center. The display is flanked by "Niro EV" lettering in LED on the right and three touch controls on the left. Finally, the third layer below is finished in white and includes the ignition button, which is integrated in a silver insert just below the infotainment display.

The lower section of the center stack was removed completely. This design feature was quite common a few decades ago and I must say it doesn't make much sense space-wise, but I'm fine with it being gone since it's usually a big clutter of buttons and knobs.

The center console is also pretty clean to look at as it only features a rotary gear knob and a few touch commands. The two-tone upholstery and the copper inserts on the dashboard and door panels give the cabin an elegant, premium look. The classic three-spoke steering wheel was dropped in favor of a leather-wrapped, two-spoke unit with a flat bottom, a piano black center section, and controls on each side.

The seats feature a sporty design with heavy bolstering and integrated headrests. Again, it doesn't make much sense in an electric vehicle that's not overly powerful, but it's not usual for a concept car to get exagerrated features.

New tech includes facial and vocal recognition, touch and gesture controls (also on the steering wheel), and a dual-zone audio system. The latter adds a pair of speakers in the headrests and also includes an active noise cancellation system which allows front- and rear-seat passengers to listen to two different things simultaneously without headphones. If put into production, this system will come in handy if you want to listen to the news, while the passengers in the back want to crank out the latest radio hits.

The Niro EV concept also has a new Active Pedestrian Warning System (APWS) that features a combination of front view cameras, object recognition technology, and front speakers. If the system detects a pedestrian or cyclist crossing in front of the car, the speakers sound an alert targeted specifically at that person, warning them of the car’s presence, while the interactive lighting system provides pedestrians with a "highly-intuitive visual communication with vehicle."

Drivetrain

- All-new electric drivetrain - 64-kWh battery pack - 201 horsepower - 238-mile range

With the Niro built on the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq, I was almost 100 percent certain that the Niro EV would get the same drivetrain as the Ioniq Electric. Maybe a bit more powerful in concept form. But I was wrong. Kia actually developed its own drivetrain, and even though full specs aren't yet available, it's significantly more powerful than the Ioniq. Powered by a 64-kWh battery pack, the electric motor cranks out 150 kW, which converts to 201 horsepower. For reference, the Ioniq Electric uses a 28-kWh battery and delivers 118 horsepower.

A bigger battery also means better range. While the Ioniq Electric returns a solid 155 miles on a single charge, the Niro EV is good for a more impressive 238 miles. That's on par with the Chevrolet Bolt EV a slightly superior to the entry-level Tesla Model 3, which is supposed to return about 220 miles.

While we shouldn't forget that this crossover is just a concept for now -- and we know that production models are usually less spectacular -- if the Niro EV that will arrive in dealerships will be able to provide 238 miles, Kia will have one of the best electric cars on the market in terms of mileage and output.

Conclusion

The Niro EV may be just a concept car for now, but it's pretty clear that it will become a production model soon. The vehicle was already spotted tested on public roads and it will most likely arrive by the end of 2018. With the Niro already available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, the full electric version will round out the nameplate and give Kia a solid competitor for all markets.

References

Kia Niro

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Kia Niro EV.

Read our full review on the 2017 Kia Niro.

Read more CES news.

Read more Kia news.