Tag Archives: Kia

Crossover, Electric/hybrid, Kia, Manufacturer

Kia on a charge with Niro

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Kia Niro Niro 1.6 GDi HEV ‘4’

By Bill McCarthy

The Kia success story keeps rolling on. Note the use of superstar Robert De Niro to promote sales of, guess what, the updated Niro.

The new self-charger here sits alongside the plug-in version and fully electric model and offers excellent economy of nearly 60mpg with the entry model and low carbon emissions from 110g/km.

The petrol-electric hybrid combo is mated with six-speed auto dual-clutch automatic gearbox, so much smoother that the traditional CVT,  with combined power output 139bhp.

With energy recovery via braking, the car can run for a short distance on electric only before engine and battery power start working in parallel again.

Now updated, it only seems to have been on the market for five minutes, the crossover/SUV comes with a three-mode grades, ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘4’ .

It is based on an all-new platform exclusively for electrified cars with batteries located under the rear seat for low centre of gravity and compactness.

It is a smart looking car, which Kia says overcomes the design limitations of other dedicated hybrids without sacrificing practicality, versatility and aerodynamic efficiency, which delivers a fuel-efficient design with a drag co-efficient (Cd) of 0.29, despite the standard roof rails.

Well, they would say that wouldn’t they? The truth is that most hybrid vehicles nowadays perform this feat, although maybe not as slippery through the air, but the Niro does have an attractive road presence.

It features the signature ‘tiger nose’ grille, new bumpers at the front and new light design to front and rear. The bumper design is finished with a silver-painted skid plate and incorporates new light reflectors and rear fog lamps in the corners.

The revised interior features high-end soft-touch finish to doors and dash, new gloss black trim with satin chrome highlights. 

‘A fine package all round with good economy, decent styling and a brand name that doesn’t deter buyers’

Central is the new 10.25-inch TFT widescreen for the main display on higher grades, which controls navigation, with European Mapping & Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC), connectivity and eight-speaker sound system plus, on this model, a seven-inch information screen behind the multi-function steering wheel.. 

The new UVO Connect Service offers Android and Apple connectivity as standard, giving access to navigation, music, hands-free calls and texts and voice recognition through those smartphone apps.

This range topper is packed with equipment including parking camera, electric sunroof, leather, powered front seats,  a full complement of safety kit.

These include collision avoidance with vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection, smart adaptive cruise control and lane assist, blind spot and rear cross traffic warning systems, which makes the sub-£30k price tag seem pretty attractive. The entry level model of just under £25k.

As a crossover, it needs to be practical, and it is with split/folding rear seats, integrated roof rails and various pockets and holders throughout. Boot space is decent despite having the battery to the rear end with easy-to load 373-litre rectangular boot and low loading lip.

On the road, the Niro is a car more designed for comfort and practicality than performance. The power units propel the car to 60mph in a fairly leisurely 11 seconds, via the smooth shifting dual clutch transmission. Switch to the paddles for a bit more fun, but economy is really the watchword with the claimed 54-odd mpg seeming pretty near the mark. However it is an extremely comfortable motorway cruiser.

Despite its relative height, it’s a family car that feels well planted and secure on corners with little evidence of body roll, with the softish suspension giving a comfortable ride for occupants.

A fine package all round with good economy, decent styling and a brand name that doesn’t deter buyers.

Add with that seven-year warranty then what’s not to like?

Factfile

Kia Niro Niro 1.6 GDi HEV ‘4’

Price: £29,600

Mechanical: 139bhp 1580cc petrol engine and electric motor driving front wheels via six-speed dual clutch auto gearbox

Max speed: 101mph

0-60mph: 11.1 seconds

Combined mpg: 54.3

Insurance group: 12E

CO2 emissions: 120g/km

Warranty: 7yrs/100,000 miles

Estate/Sport Tourer, Kia, Manufacturer, Motor reviews, Vehicle type

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Kia ProCeed T-GDI GT

By Bill McCarthy

You can sometimes get a bit blasé when writing about certain car features, with safety sometimes seeming the least sexy attraction.

When it comes to your rescue, you can see why it is so important and how the technology has leapt ahead over the years, with firms like Kia right at the forefront.

A narrow escape on the motorway would almost certainly have had more serious consequences a few years ago, but when some idiot swerved across from the outside lane at 70mph, I had to instantly wrench the steering left to avoid a catastrophic collision.

The sharp manoeuvre could have had dire consequences as I tried to get the car straight at high speed, but with traction and stability control as assisted braking kicking in and grippy tyres gaining the road hold instantly the car almost righted itself.

It’s no wonder Kia makes a play on safety when their CEO was asked what make him proud to be leading Kia in the UK.  He said this latest ProCeed, (now without apostrophe and underscore, as in pro_cee’d), has been transformed compared to its predecessor with safety and driver assistance technology setting new standards in the class. And yes, it still retains the seven-year, 100k mile warranty.

The Proceed is a big car, not an estate in the true sense, but in the shooting brake mould between three door hatch and full estate.

It most certainly is a looker, and with an extended coupe-like profile, it sits lower and is longer than the Ceed. 

Even more sexy-looking is this GT model with all the flashes and badges and eye-catching red brake callipers. The front end features a sporty  grille and air scoop and  slim, cat-like light clusters housing LED bi-function headlights.

The  18-inch alloy wheels feature red centre caps, while the air intake has a red accent on the lower lip and high gloss red side sill mouldings.

The ProCeed name is spelled out across the tailgate beneath LED where dual exhausts are also prominent.

The interior is a smart, rather than eye catching affair, being neatly and logically laid out and dominated by an large touchscreen which sits in a convenient position at eyeline level. This controls major functions like navigation, music and connectivity for smart phone via Android Auto and Apple Carplay. There is also privacy glass to the rear, dual air con. Also fitted on this model are heated front seats and steering wheel and parking camera.

The cabin it well put together and although not exactly in the executive class has leather effect powered and heated front seats which are comfortable and functional while the GT theme is dominant throughout with red contrasting stitching. A GT Performance mode has also been added to the new 4.2-inch colour cluster display.

Performance from the 1.6-litre T-GDi  201bhp petrol engine is pretty good, although it did prove thirsty.

The turbocharged unit propels the car to 60mph in around seven seconds, via the seven-speed DSG auto box. It has enough pace in standard mode, but press the sport button and everything sharpens up, you can shift the gears via steering wheel paddles, the steering gets weightier and the dual exhaust delivers a sporty thrum. Economy does take a hit and the best I managed was around 32mpg, against an official 39.3mpg.

The ride heigh is 5mm lower than the Ceed and Sportswagon, with spring and damper set up tailored to accommodate the European market. It’s a comfortable ride, but switch to sport mode and it stiffens up considerably to provide bags of grip and agility.

 In practical terms, boot space is an impressive 594 litres, but  fold the 60/40 split rear seats and 1,545 litres opens up. In addition and there’s a dual height luggage area floor with parcel shelf to hide luggage and valuables , with hooks and nets to keep cargo secure.

As already mentioned, it is packed with safety kit including a full complement of air bags, cross traffic alert, lane and high-beam assist, driver ward sister and forward collision warning with with Pedestrian detection also available.

As stylish as anything in its class, the ProCeed is a fine car and packed with safety kit and then there the not-so-small matter of the the seven-year, 100k miles warranty.

Factfile

Price: £28,140

Mechanical: 201bhp 1,591cc, 4 cylinder petrol engine driving front wheels via 7-speed auto gearbox

Max speed: 140mph

0-62mph: 7.2 seconds

Combined mpg: 39.3

Insurance group: 21

CO2 emissions: 142g/km

Warranty: 7yrs/100,000 miles