The updated Kia Niro is proving very popular - Hybrid and now a fully electric EV available. Can the Niro tow? Towing capacity. Need a Kia Niro towbar?

The updated Kia Niro is proving very popular - Hybrid and now a fully electric EV available.  Can the Niro tow?  Towing capacity.  Need a Kia Niro towbar?

The updated Niro is on the bigger side for a 'small SUV.' The HEV and PHEV models measure 4355mm long, while the EV has a bit more length to it because of aero styling added (4375mm), all grades roll on a huge 2700mm wheelbase, span 1805mm wide, and the height varies between 1545mm tall (HEV/PHEV) and 1570mm tall (EV).

The ground clearance is stated as 160mm for the HEV/PHEV models, and 155mm for the EV.

Inside the Niro, although a bit dated, still boasts a very functional cabin. Ample amounts of storage, including a large centre cubby with fold-away cup holders and a huge open storage pit underneath the gear shifter. Directly in front of this area sit some USB ports and a clever tray to store your phone.
Above all sits a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and digital radio. On the inside you also get, a 4.2-inch TFT driver’s display flanked by conventional dials, physical switchgear and HVAC dials, a T-bar gearshift, as well as a good mix of soft-touch and hard-wearing surfaces.

The overall feeling of space is good thanks to the high roofline and generous glasshouse, and there’s a good range of electric adjustments for the driver as well as manual movement in the steering column. 

It's offered as a regular hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicle.  Kia's official claimed driving range for the e-Niro EV is 455km. 58kms for the PHEV Hybrid.

Unfortunately, 3.3kW is the quickest you’ll be able to charge the Niro PHEV, even if using faster 7.2kW or 22kW AC chargers, which isn’t very convenient if you’re unable to charge at home or work.

On the plus side, the Niro PHEV offers different ways to drive efficiently. Of course, the best way to do that is in EV mode, which uses battery power alone but will employ the engine when you really need a power boost.

If the battery is getting low you can select Hybrid mode, which operates as a normal hybrid vehicle, while Automatic mode chooses between battery power or hybrid depending on driving conditions and remaining battery charge 

The benefit of opting for a fully electric Niro over its counterparts is that it features the biggest boot. The cargo area starts at 451L with all seats up, some 41L larger than the regular Niro hybrid, and 127L larger than the plug-in. With the second row folded that benefit extends the EV's total boot space to 1405L. The Niro PHEV’s boot space is just 324 litres, which is below average for a small SUV. This is the smallest boot of the three Niro versions because of the rearward location of the main battery, which also takes up space normally housing a spare wheel and means you have to make do with a tyre repair kit. 

Need more space?  Why not fit a Niro towbar.  Full range of Niro hybrid towbars and a specially designed bike carrier only towbar for the e-Niro EV.  Kia has rated the Niro for a maximum of 1300kgs our Niro towbars are rated the same.

The Niro's driving dynamics aren't too bad. Its hefty battery-induced 1564kg kerb weight can lead to a lack of compliance between the front and rear axles when negotiating bends, but drive it as intended and feels nimble enough, particularly around town.

The Niro Hybrid and PHEV both wear a five-star ANCAP safety rating. 
Category scores were 91 per cent for adult occupant protection, 80 per cent for child occupant protection, 70 per cent for pedestrian protection and 81 per cent for safety assist. 
Like all of Kia’s current models, the Niro comes decked out with a suite of active safety and driver-assist features, all of which worked as expected.
The adaptive cruise control and Lane Following Assist functions are good companions for extended freeway stints, essentially facilitating semi-autonomous driving with your hands on the wheel, while the Sport’s blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert functions also earn their keep in everyday situations.

The Niro's fundamentals of good passenger space and traditional controls, well-calibrated technology and great real-world range, will see it appeal to those who wish to approach EV ownership extremely rationally and from a mainstream brand.

Need a Kia Niro towbar?  We have you covered.  Full range of Niro towbars, including an EV Niro bike carrier solution.