Street Take a look at: 2022 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

The EPA 46 MPG Is Solely the Begin

One of many challenges Clear Fleet Report takes significantly is to check the EPA gas economic system rankings for the automobiles, crossovers and vehicles we evaluation, figuring out effectivity is a high precedence when trying to buy a brand new car. Typically the EPA is spot-on, however generally we exceed its numbers by a number of miles per gallon. However with the 2022 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) we obliterated the “official” quantity in our actual world driving.

Splendidly Environment friendly

The Niro PHEV is powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and a AC synchronous everlasting magnet motor producing a complete system 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a clean shifting 6-speed twin clutch transmission (DCT).

Whereas the hybrid system is impressively environment friendly, rated at 46 miles per gallon mixed,the key to getting the very best gas economic system is by maximizing the 26 miles of pure electrical driving the Niro PHEV will get by plugging it in. Including collectively the gasoline and electrical energy, the EPA estimates 105 MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equal). MPGe is a measurement of how far a automobile can journey electrically on the identical quantity of vitality as is contained in a single gallon of gasoline.

On a three-day mini-getaway, my spouse and I ventured out from our residence in Orange County, California, to the Central California seaside city of Shell Seaside. As soon as out of the Los Angeles space, we took CA 123 via Fillmore and Santa Paula, then headed to Ojai on CA 150 via the Topatopa Mountains. Each routes are curvy, winding their method via citrus and avocado groves, with 150 cresting at 6,716 ft. We ultimately met-up with Freeway 101 in Carpenteria, simply south of Santa Barbara. Our return journey from Shell Seaside took us on CA 166 over the 7,492-foot San Emigdio Mountains, then via the agricultural space close to Cuyama, after which again all the way down to I5 and residential. Take a couple of minutes, or longer, to check-out the Western-themed Buckhorn Restaurant & Bar and its farm-to-table menu consisting of meals sourced from native farms and ranches.

These driving routes had been chosen for his or her scenic selection, and the 80-percent freeway/20-percent metropolis driving combine that coated 630 miles leading to a mean of 58 mpg. Had we spent extra time within the metropolis and in stop-and-go visitors, we might simply have topped 60 mpg, as we did once we final reviewed the Kia Niro PHEV final 12 months (and beforehand).

We completed this glorious effectivity by plugging within the Niro PHEV at each alternative and by driving conservatively in hybrid and all-electric mode, using the adaptive cruise management with a cease/go characteristic. Gasoline economic system numbers reported by Clear Fleet Report are non-scientific and signify the reviewer’s driving expertise utilizing the sprint gauge laptop. Your numbers could differ.

Charging

The hybrid system’s 8.9-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion polymer battery is replenished via plug-in charging, which is not any completely different than what you do together with your cell phone each night time. It takes three hours with a 240V Degree 2 charger or in a single day with a 120V common family outlet. A totally charged battery will ship 26 miles of all-electric driving.

When driving, the regenerative system converts kinetic vitality into electrical vitality and shops it within the battery when making use of the brakes or coasting. This course of might be seen on a touch gauge displaying the facility flowing into and out of the battery. The pedal really feel on hybrids might be grabby at instances, requiring a studying interval to get it proper. Not so on the Niro the place the regenerative braking, which isn’t braking within the conventional sense, however a mix of braking and the motor slowing the automobile, has three settings for a way aggressive you need it to be.

I at all times set the regeneration to the best stage.

Driving Expertise: On the Street

To get the utmost driving vary, which Kia pegs at 560 miles on a full tank and totally charged battery, ensure that to strategically use the driver-selectable drive modes of EV and Hybrid. There’s an EV/HEV (Electrical Automobile/Hybrid Electrical Automobile) button subsequent to the gear selector. HEV is the place you’ll want to be when on the open highway, letting the hybrid system do its factor. When on the town and the battery has a cost, deciding on EV means you might be solely utilizing electrical energy for as much as 26 miles. For most individuals that is greater than they drive dally, which implies they may hardly ever be stopping to purchase gasoline.

The front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive shouldn’t be provided) 2022 Niro PHEV weighs in at 3,391 kilos. The well-distributed weight is because of the under-seat battery placement, making a low heart of gravity, leading to better-than-expected driving dynamics. The motor-driven energy steering was a bit gentle, however tuned for good highway really feel. Maneuvering on the town, together with parking, was simple due to the very tight turning radius. The entrance MacPherson struts with stabilizer bar and gasoline shocks plus the rear multi-link suspension with twin tube shocks delivered a clean, secure, composed and comfy experience. Tire and wind noise had been low, and the engine in hybrid mode was quiet. After all when operating on electrical energy solely, there isn’t a engine noise as a result of no engine is operating. Appears apparent, nevertheless it wanted to be stated.

The 16-inch alloy wheels and 205/60R Michelin Power all-season tires delivered dealing with that was direct with little physique roll, however are finest when on lengthy fuel-efficient runs on the open highway. Whereas there may be nothing sporty in regards to the Niro PHEV, it had a really respectable 0-60 time of 9 seconds, which is a lot to merge into freeway visitors.

The beforehand talked about regenerative braking system has 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS and brake help, producing stops that had been straight and true. The noticeable hybrid braking whine has a pleasant sound, and don’t be shocked by the light beeping when backing.

Clear Design

The Niro, which falls someplace between a hatchback and a small crossover, has a clear and easy design. Exterior colour selections are Metal Grey, Runway Crimson, Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, Deep Cerulean, and like ours, Horizon Blue. The signature Kia tiger nostril grille runs edge-to-edge, resulting in the swept again projector beam headlights. LED daytime operating lights and fog lights, situated within the backside fascia, full the entrance finish design. The facet profile attracts a pleasant line to the A-pillars, resulting in a gently sloping roof with rack rails, a shark fin antenna and an built-in black spoiler over the rear hatch window. The slender horizontal LED taillights and clean surfaced hatch end off the engaging rear. Small badges determine the Niro PHEV as a plug-in hybrid.

Welcoming Inside

Discovering arduous plastic inside surfaces was not a shock, however are completely advantageous for a small automobile with a low base worth. In any other case, the inside is clear and uncluttered, with glorious sight traces and simple to make use of gauges and controls.

Clear Fleet Report was driving the Niro EV EX Premium mannequin with snug and supportive heated and ventilated entrance seats. All seats had been coated with SynTex, an artificial leather-based seat materials that’s tender to the contact and resists spills and is straightforward to scrub. The driving force will get 10-way energy adjustable with lumbar, whereas the passenger will get 6-way guide changes.

Outward visibility is great because the 6.3-inch floor clearance leads to an outlook on the highway a bit larger than a sedan, however not as excessive as a SUV. The rear seat has a middle armrest with cup holders and is finest suited to two adults. The flat flooring gives for further cabin area and legroom. Rear storage options a big flat carpeted floor, made even bigger when the rear 60/40 split-folding seat is folded flat. There’s a hid storage compartment beneath the cargo flooring to retailer the cost wire.

The middle sprint in our Niro PHEV EX Premium got here with a ten.25-inch touchscreen housing the navigation and the 8-speaker+subwoofer Harman Kardon sound system. Leisure is thru AM/FM and SiriusXM, with USB ports, and smartphone integration by way of Bluetooth and Kia Join, which included wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Bluetooth labored very nicely for voice recognition, and cell phone pairing was fast and simple. Massive due to Kia designers for the knobs and wheels to manage the radio and dual-zone automated local weather management.

Consolation and comfort options embody an influence tilt and sliding sunroof, dual-zone automated local weather management with rear passenger vents, leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, rear view digicam, good key with push button begin/cease, digital parking brake with Auto Maintain, power-folding heated exterior mirrors, cargo cowl, carpeted flooring mats, LED inside lights, driver and passenger energy home windows with automated up/down, energy door locks, and a cargo cowl.

Security

The Niro PHEV is obtainable with an in depth record of normal and non-obligatory security options as a part of Kia Drivewise. Since among the options can be found on larger trim ranges and thru packages, we advise getting your automobile with as many superior driver help techniques (ADAS) as doable.

Security options out there on the Niro PHEV embody twin entrance, driver’s knee, front-seat facet, and entrance and rear side-curtain airbags, ahead emergency braking and collision warning, lane departure warning with lane maintain and lane following help, stability management, blind spot monitoring, rear cross visitors warning, park help with entrance and rear sensors, car stability administration, traction management, hill launch help, tire stress monitoring system, and an engine immobilizer.

The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) awarded the 2022 Niro PHEV with an total Good ranking for crashworthiness. The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) has not rated the Niro PHEV.

Pricing

The 2022 Niro PHEV is available in three trim ranges. Right here’s their MSRP with out choices, however together with the necessary the $1,255 vacation spot cost. The Niro PHEV qualifies for federal and state credit, and in some states, is eligible for a HOV sticker.