Ian Lamming heads south, very south in Kia’s latest hybrid
THIS is deliberate and not by chance. The test vehicle in the driveway has been chosen specifically to do a job.
It’s 252 miles to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, where England will lose to Wales, and with four in the car and luggage to match the Kia Niro has been targeted unambiguously for the journey.
First and foremost, in these current challenging times, it has to be economical and early signs are good as the 1.6 litre petrol/hybrid trundles around home easily topping 70 and 80 miles per gallon at speeds low enough for the electric motor to do the lion’s share of the work.
On the M6, as speeds creep up, it still puts in a great performance of almost 60mpg. At that rate the 504 mile round trip is going to cost £55. Now if it had been last week’s car it would have been twice that which just goes to show the benefits of having a frugal motor when you are packing in the miles. It also means we are not held to ransom by being forced to fill up on the motorway. Just top up either end at the respective supermarkets and the 400+ range is more than enough to get to destination’s end.
The other thing you need on a five and a half hour trip is a vehicle that is comfortable and restful to drive. Absolutely no problem there with the Niro either as it is very quiet, uber-smooth and extremely relaxing. This is important because not becoming tired makes it safe on long journeys and at the end everyone is surprisingly fresh.
The easy-to-use technology helps no end as it fails to tax even the most curmudgeonly technophobe. Driver remains sharp and interested in the journey so there is no danger of nodding off at the wheel and the body also remains pleasantly ache-free.
Strange roads in a strange city are dispensed with ease by the excellent satnav and the proportions of the Niro are perfect – not too big to manoeuvre but big enough to cosset.
In the tightest of underground car parks below our hotel the Niro slots nicely into the very last free space which is only there because it has looked too tricky for other drivers to negotiate. Kia makes easy work of the snug slot thanks to all-round radar and an excellent rear camera.
Pop the boot and the load bay reveals its ability to swallow a good amount of luggage. I’m sure there’s a bag in there just to carry the two teenage boys’ hair products.
So Niro is great on the wallet, even better on your bones and it’s also good on the eye. Looks are striking and unconventional. In a world when vehicles can look a bit samey it stands out with a visage that doesn’t ape a human face. I suppose it is more insect like and this makes it very modern indeed.
Inside boasts high quality trim, great tech and perfect ergonomics. It is light and spacious and really well equipped. The Bluetooth hi-fi and infotainment system are fabulous.
Niro is happy in any environment. It makes light work of the city, chomps the endless miles of motorways and, after dropping off my son’s buddy at a prearranged venue, it romps home the twisty way making the maximum use of its sharp steering, impeccable handling and decent performance.
With a seven year warranty it is easy to see that the Niro is one car that you will never have to have recovered and the fact it shines in every quarter makes it a real winner – shame the same couldn’t be said about our turgid rugby.
Fact File
Kia Niro HEV ‘4’ 1.6 GDi
Engine: 1.6 petrol plus electric motor
Power: 139BHP, 265 Nm torque
0-62mph: 10.8secs
Top speed: 100mph
MPG: 60.1
Transmission: six-speed automatic
CO2 g/km: 106
Price: £34,660.00
