1.6 GDI Hybrid 139bhp 1 DCT 5dr

A great car, not cheap to buy but cheap to run.

Lets start with the niggles; the hybrid battery condition meter is blue and hard to see in even average daylight conditions. The accelerator pedal is a fairly hard push and consequently I often use sports mode so the system is more responsive, and tend to juggle with the fixed speed cruise control. Both these must effect the economy but the sport mode less so. Another minor niggle is how cold the car is on WInter mornings, even here in Southern Spain. The engine is highly efficient and hardly runs if there is a downhill stretch or plenty of juice in the battery,. Hence some mornings it is 20 minutes before meaningful heat emerges from the heater. Electrically heated seats would largely solve the problem but only came with the top model. Come on Kia make them standard!
So what of the plus points; the car drives well, a nice turn of speed especially in sport mode. It feels fairly planted on the road and a lot better in this respect than the Sportage I had before. The economy is phenomenal, often over 70 to the gallon.
There is good space for four adults and a roomy boot. Apart from a split rear seat back there are no great load carrying niceties. Why do so few manufacturers off folding front passenger seats for the trips to Ikea?
There is however slightly more height above the folded seats than there was in the Sportage. Infact the only way in which the Sportage scores over the Niro iis in looks. The Niro is quite unremarkable in this respect. Even alloy wheels are an second or third rung inclusion.
In terms of comfort, the pretty good seats combine with just firm enough suspension to make long runs fine. It is not a luxury car but it is a great practical and fairly good to drive eco car.

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