Kia Niro SUV (2016 - 2022) PHEV 1.6 GDi 8.9kWh lithium-ion 139bhp DCT auto 5d Owner Review

I bought this 6 months old as an ex demo, and so far it has been totally trouble free - apart from an issue when I first bought it, when it wasn't properly sensing when the charger port was unlocked. That was fixed at the dealership while I waited. Its very comfortable - heated seats and windscreen are great. I've been told that the rear seats are also comfortable, but I've never sat in them. Visibility is wonderful, my previous car had blindspot indicators, but this car doesn't have any blind spots in the first place! It achieves zero emissions for 33 miles or so (half that at motorway speed), so great around town I get a mixture of infinite mpg for short trips but that is down to "only" 80 mpg on a 115 mile journey I do once a week. This includes 67 miles of M25/M40. On average I get about 120 to 130mpg but Parkers only allow me to enter up to 100mpg. Charging takes just over 4 hours when plugged into a standard 13A socket. It only comes down to 2.5 hours if using a higher powered charger, so it really does not make sense to re-charge midway through a journey, but it is a no brainer to charge it overnight. Performance in "Sports" mode is very nippy, but reduces the fuel economy. In Eco mode, the initial acceleration is very lively, but less so from 40mph or so. The car seems far nippier and more comfortable than the HEV 2 that I test drove. The adaptive cruise control works brilliantly, and combined with the lane keep assist, makes for wonderfully relaxed motorway driving. The media system works well. It comes with free map updates for the 7 year warranty, but I prefer to use Google Maps with Android Auto. For music, I can use the DAB radio, bluetooth stream from USB media, or use Spotify over Android Auto. Its buttons make it easier to use when driving than those relying entirely on the touch screen. However, when using Android Auto,it also be used with voice commands - phone calls, nav, messages, news, etc... Negatives a) it only has halogen headlights. That is a strange choice for a car which is all about energy efficiency. - I understand the facelift model might have LEDs. b) it doesn't have a heat pump - cabin heating is only from the petrol engine, so if you need to demist./de-ice the windscreen or heat the rear (the electric seats alone are fine for the front). You can even be in the situation where the electric motor is driving the wheels, but you are burning petrol (in a high thermal efficiency engine), just to provide some heat. So a short drive to the shops on a winter morning will use a spoonful or two of petrol. That does have a bit of an impact on fuel economy. So here we have a drive, that could be zero emissions, but there you are, generating pollution when sitting on your drive waiting for the screen to clear. You should be able to do that on electricity while still plugged into the charger. c)Unlike in the USA, there is no remote app for monitoring/controlling the charging etc....From inside the car you can, however, define when you want the charge to be completed (not when it is started), and set it to only use "Cheap Rate" electricity. I have solar panels, so if not using it first thing in the morning I set the "cheap rate" to be when the panels start generating in the morning. d) the price differential over the HEV and the lack of options ( it is a 3+ package. You have a colour choice but that's about ) , mean that, if buying from new, and its not a company car, you will never recover the difference in cost through fuel savings. Despite the negatives, this car is brilliant. So far, the best car I've owned. This model is sufficiently different to the HEV to warrant a more in depth review by Parkers. . Shame on you, then for just stating " We’ve yet to sample the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Niro ". You have had long enough!