▲Kia\'s The New Niro, which goes on sale and begins deliveries on the 10th. Photo: Park Ji-sung
Kia is aiming to broaden demand for its hybrid compact SUV, The New Niro, emphasizing that the model maintains its fuel-efficiency advantage after roughly four years.
On the 10th, Kia officially launched a facelifted Niro — an updated version of the second-generation model — and began taking orders. The revised model builds on the second-generation Niro introduced in January 2022, with improved features and refinement.
Now in its 10th year since the original launch, the Niro helped create South Korea\'s compact SUV market. Kia says it wants the Niro to become the benchmark for the compact-SUV segment.
To reach that goal, Kia plans to aggressively promote the Niro\'s strong fuel economy to attract a broad range of buyers across all age groups.
A Kia spokesperson said, “Compact SUVs are often chosen as a first car, but the Niro combines high practicality and efficiency, so its buyer base spans a wide range of ages in line with diverse consumer needs.”
The Niro is powered by a 1.6 hybrid powertrain that delivers a system peak output of 141 ps (about 139 hp), maximum torque of 27.0 kgf·m (about 195 lb·ft), and a combined fuel economy of 20.2 km/L (about 47.5 mpg).
Fuel economy is roughly 0.6 km/L (about 1.4 mpg) lower than the previous model\'s 20.8 km/L, but the Niro still exceeds 20 km/L, keeping it competitively efficient.
Kia expects the Niro to remain an appealing, practical choice. Its 2,720 mm (107.1 in) wheelbase provides generous legroom and headroom in both the first and second rows despite the vehicle\'s compact footprint. The second row now features reclining seats that allow finer angle adjustments compared with the previous two-step system.
Safety features have been significantly expanded to strengthen the model\'s competitiveness. The Niro now includes a total of 10 airbags — including second-row side airbags — and seatbelt pretensioners at every seating position.
The car also adds advanced driving and parking aids such as Highway Driving Assist 2, steering-wheel grip detection, Lane Keeping Assist 2, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, a surround-view monitor, and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist to improve safety and convenience.
▲Jeong Won-jeong, vice president and head of Kia\'s Domestic Business Division, speaks at The New Niro media day on the 9th. Photo: Park Ji-sung
Kia applied its brand design philosophy, Opposites United, to the Niro. The front end features Starmap Signature Lighting daytime running lights that emphasize horizontal and vertical lines.
The rear design stresses a stable, wide presence with a long horizontal character line centered on the tailgate and diagonal LED rear-combination lamp graphics that wrap around the rear sides.
Choi Jeong-mi, a researcher on Kia\'s Next Design Exterior Team 1, said, “The Niro goes beyond being just an eco-friendly model. It pairs sustainable mobility with expressive design to propose a new lifestyle. We focused on futuristic originality as the core concept to deliver a design suited to the electrified era.”
With eco-vehicle tax incentives applied, Niro pricing starts at 28,850,000 KRW (about $21,638) for the Trendy trim, 31,950,000 KRW (about $23,963) for Prestige, and 34,640,000 KRW (about $25,980) for Signature.
Kim Sae-rin, manager of Kia\'s Domestic Product Team 1, said, “The Niro offers a highly practical package regardless of class. We expect strong interest from buyers who prioritize sensible choices, practicality, and economy over image.”
Kia plans to strengthen its compact-SUV lineup and its hybrid and electrification strategy around two models — the Niro and the recently updated Seltos — to capture a wider range of consumers.
While the Seltos targets buyers who favor a traditional SUV appearance and driving performance, the Niro will focus marketing on buyers who prioritize high fuel economy and an eco-friendly image.
Reporter Park Ji-sung captain@ekn.kr
