2017 Kia Niro HUV Brings Fuel Economy To Crossovers
Who says only sedans can have all the environment friendly fun? At the Chicago Auto Show, Kia is definitely showing that hulking utility vehicles can also join the party. The 2017 Kia Niro, which was already teased November last year, is a first of many things for the car maker, but what sets this Hybrid Utility Vehicle or HUV apart is exactly that. The Niro combines the engaging driving experience and functionality of a crossover with the fuel economy of hybrid engines, packaged in a design that will make you think twice about how hybrids look.
The 2017 Niro is a hybrid more ways than one. While the word usually refers to the engine, here it refers to the very nature of the Niro itself. It is a hybrid, of course, but one that carries what Kia calls an "Un-Hybrid" look, referring to the Niro's strong and confident, almost aggressive, design that is more typical of CUVs, which it also is, of course. A wide and low body, short overhangs, long roofline, strong shoulders, and aggressive looking headlights all complement each other to give the Niro a sporty, more utilitarian facade. On the inside, the Niro is equally utilitarian in its spaciousness, thanks to the long 106.3-inch wheelbase and uncluttered design, especially on the instrumentation panel.
But a hybrid is ultimately defined by its powertrain and here the 2017 Niro has some surprises. Given its size and purpose, you'd presume that the Niro HUV would be a heavyweight in terms of engine. It, however, boasts of a highly efficient hybrid engine, with a new "Kappa" 1.6-liter four-cylinder GDI with 103 horsepower paired with a 2nd generation six-speed dual-clutch transmission. On the electric side, a transmission mounted electric device or TMED delivers 43 horsepower, powered by a 1.56 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery hidden underneath the car's rear seat. Together, the hybrid powertrain delivers 146 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque and a fuel efficiency of 50 mpg.
One of the noted problems with hybrids is noise and vibrations, and Kia's engineers worked hard to counteract the effects of physics on the 2017 Niro. Specially designed engine mounts, equal-length driveshafts, and a damper inside the steering wheel hub lessen the NVH effects of the engine. There is even a special embossed foam underneath the carpet, expanding foam inside the A and B pillars, and insulating pad underneath the hood to further reduce noise.
Like Kia's other new hybrids unveiled at CAS, the 2017 Niro HUV also showcases the latest in intelligent systems designed to increase driving safety as well as fuel efficiency. For example, the new Coasting Guide helps drivers know when to coast and to break by flashing an icon for four seconds, followed by a one-time audio alert. Predictive Energy Control also tries to maximize energy efficiency by anticipating topographical changes in the road via the navigation system in order to manage energy flow. These two are joined by the usual Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist; Advanced Smart Cruise Control; Lane Departure Warning; and Autonomous Emergency Braking features found in Kia's advanced driver assistance set.
And while the Niro is essentially a utility vehicle, it will not be a boring one. The latest UVO3 telematics system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to exponentially increase the number of apps and services you can access on the 7-inch touch screen control panel. The upgraded UVO also includes an 8 GB onboard stoarge for music, in addition to access to music streaming service like Pandora.
Availability of the 2017 Kia Niro HUV hasn't been revealed yet but, like the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid and its PHEV counterpart, the Niro will also get a plug-in powertrain counterpart later in its lifetime. The 2017 Niro, together with the 2017 Optima Hybrid and the 2017 Optima Plug-in Hybrid, is part of the car maker's EcoDynamics environment friendly lineup that aims to triple Kia's green car roster by 2020.