• Good space for passengers
• Boot fine in hybrid, small in PHEV
• More safety kit for higher trim levels

How much space is there?

Front seat passengers have plenty of headroom and the driver’s seat goes back far enough to accommodate long legs. Width isn’t an issue either, with the centre armrest proving wide enough for both front passengers to use at once.

Storage isn’t as impressive as some electric cars such as the Renault Megane, although there’s a useful cubby at the base of the dash, generous cupholders, storage under the centre armrest and reasonable door pockets.

Space in the rear seats is good, and all occupants benefit from wide-opening doors with big windows so it’s easy to get in and out and you have a good view when you’re back there. The central hump in the rear floor is small, so combined with good foot space, it’s not too bad for three abreast.

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Boot space and storage

Cargo capacity depends on which model you choose. The self-charging hybrid has an impressive 451-litre boot – bigger than a Yaris Cross or a Captur but down on the Skoda Karoq and Volkswagen Tiguan. Due to the position of the battery the self-charging hybrid only has 348 litres of space, significantly less than the Tiguan e-Hybrid.

All models get a variable height floor that you can lower for maximum carrying capacity or raise to improve convenience and make a flatter extended load bay when you fold the rear seats down. These are split in a standard 60/40 arrangement and don’t slide back and forth. Top-spec 4 trim does get a recline function for the rear bench, though.

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Is it easy to park?

Big windows mean a clear view out helping to make the Niro easy to place on the road and to park. All versions get reversing sensors and a rear-view camera to help out in particularly tight situations.

Move up to 3 trim and you gain front parking sensors and a rear cross traffic alert system that can help when reversing out of a space onto a road. Top spec 4 trim gains remote parking assist that allows you to move the car using the key fob, and automatic braking at parking speeds.

Safety

• Five star Euro NCAP score
• All models get plenty of driver assists
• Higher trims get more kit

All UK Niros get Kia’s Drivewise driver assist system that helps gives the car a five-star Euro NCAP score. The standard automatic emergency braking system can detect other cars, pedestrians and cyclists while lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control help you maintain a safe distance from other cars.

The systems certainly help take the strain out of longer drives, but the steering assist is best left to dual carriageways and motorways. Opt for 4 trim and you get an upgraded version of this system that’s able to carry out lane changes for you, too.

The Niro protects its occupants from serious injury in the event of a crash well, with a score that beats most rivals. You only get two Isofix mounts, both on the rear bench, though.

Watch the Euro NCAP crash test video