Kia Niro Hybrid Crossover goes on sale in the UK from £21,295

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The Kia Niro Hybrid Crossover, revealed at this year’s Chicago Motor Show, goes on sale in the UK from £21,295, rising to £26,995 for the First Edition model.

The Kia Niro Crossover, Kia’s first proper production hybrid, and certainly the first Kia Hybrid for the UK market, has now gone on sale in the UK from £21,295 for the ‘1’ Trim model rising to £26,995 for the First Edition.

Built on a new platform just for hybrids and EVs, the Niro fits in to Kia’s range somewhere between the Soul and Sportage as a Crossover come SUV, with every model in the range getting the same Atkinson Cycle 1.6 litre petrol engine delivering 104bhp, boosted by a 43.4bhp electric motor, and with the combined power driven to the front wheels through a six-speed double-clutch automatic gearbox (so much better than the usual hybrid CVT).

Kia say the Niro it’s good for up to 74.3mpg on the official cycle, but we’d guess more like 45mpg in  the real world.

Offered in the UK in a four-model lineup – as is Kia’s wont, they’re called 1, 2, and 3 plus a First Edition Niro – with even the entry-level models coming with Lane Keep Assist, Hill Start, Cruise, DAB and Bluetooth.

The Niro 1 gets 16″ alloys, gloss black grille, Climate, auto windscreen defogging, LED tail lights and running lights, electric windows and electric mirrors.

Opt for the Niro 2 and you’ll get a 7″ touchscreen with Sat Nav, reversing camera, Kia Connected Services for traffic info, gloss black interior trim, cloth and leather upholstery, roof rails, privacy glass, auto wipers, splashes of exterior chrome and rear parking sensors.

The Kia Niro 3 also adds an 8″ touchscreen, wireless phone charging, Premium sound, 18″ alloys, black leather, front parking sensors, heated front seats and steering wheel and electric driver’s seat.

As well as the three normal trim levels, Kia is jumping on the First Edition bandwagon with a Niro offering more than the Niro 3, including grey leather, white interior trim inserts, keyless, heated rear seats,ventilated front seats and an electric sunroof.

The First Edition also comes with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Smart Cruise, extras you can have on the rest of the range by opting for the £350 Advanced Driver Assistance Package.

The Kia Niro Hybrid Crossover actually goes on sale officially on 8 August 2016.