Kia Niro HYBRID Crossover production car revealed and heading for the UK

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The Kia Niro Hybrid has been revealed at the Chicago Motor Show as a new hybrid Crossover from Kia – dubbed a ‘Hybrid Utility Vehicle’.

We first saw the Kia Niro as a concept more than two years ago, when it looked line Kia were going to deliver a funky urban SUV with 4WD and looks that seemed inspire by the Nissan Juke.

But that funky concept has turned in to this – the Kia Niro production car – which is actually a generic-looking hybrid from Kia that’s really a Crossover, not an SUV, although Kia are dubbing it a ‘Hybrid Utility Vehicle’.

The Niro is the first production car to be built on the new platform developed by Hyundai for hybrid and plug-in cars, and is bigger than the Soul and smaller than the Sportage to give some context to its place in Kia’s range.

Under the bonnet of the high(er) riding Crossover sits a new Atkinson Cycle 1.6 litre petrol engine – designed for hybrid applications – with 102bhp and an exhaust heat recover system to get it warm quicker, together with a 42bhp electric motor in the transmission, with power going just to the front wheels via a six-speed DCT ‘box.

Kia has also fitted the Niro with ‘Predictive Energy Control’ which uses Sat Nav to plot upcoming terrain and maximise the efficiency of the hybrid drivetrain.

The Niro has a wide stance and short overhangs, long wheelbase and decent space for passengers and luggage, with a fairly spartan-looking interior with a high seating position, Kia’s latest 7″ infotainment, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and, we’re promised, good NVH insulation.

Kia are planning to get the Niro in UK showrooms by the early autumn, and although prices haven’t been revealed we’d expect it to come in at a bit under £20k, nicely undercutting what must be its main target – the new Toyota Prius.