Kia Niro price: sub-EV6 electric SUV returns to Australia in new-gen shape alongside petrol-electric hybrid version

Prices increase across the board, but entry-level electric Niro usefully undercuts where Kia’s lauded EV6 crossover pricing starts

Australian pricing has been announced for the second-generation Kia Niro – Kia’s small-to-midsize SUV that is offered in full-electric and series-parallel petrol-electric hybrid versions locally.

While Niro pricing jumps across the board compared to the outgoing shape – by up to $4390 in the case of the $44,390 entry-level Niro S hybrid model, costs for the all-electric model increase only gently and still undercut where Kia’s popular but supply-constrained EV6 electric SUV starts out.

At $65,300, the Niro S full-electric model is $2690 cheaper than an EV6 Air – and that gap will only grow once an all-but-confirmed EV6 price increase takes effect in Australia in the coming months.

With 460km of range from its 64.8kWh battery, the full-electric version of the Niro provides a lower-cost alternative to crossovers like the new Tesla Model Y (from $72,300) while slotting above the budget positioning of the China-made BYD Atto 3 (from $44,381).

The fully-electric Niro is about $20,000 more expensive than the hybrid, which returns in more fashionable second-gen form to give buyers stuck in the long Toyota RAV4 hybrid queue a Korean-made ‘self-charging’ alternative.

Hybrid and electric powertrains, PHEV deleted

The outgoing Niro plug-in hybrid has been deleted in Australia, with the range now offering a narrower choice of series-parallel hybrid or full-electric powertrains.

Hybrid models range from $44,380-$50,030 and produce 104kW/265Nm from the combined effort of their 77kW/144Nm 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol four-cylinder engine and 32kW permanent-magnet electric motor. The hybrid uses a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Meanwhile, the electric Niro is priced between $65,300-$72,100. The EV makes 150kW/255Nm from its front-mounted permanent-magnet electric motor while making use of a single-speed reduction gear-type transmission.

The new Niro sits on a revised version of the old car’s combustion-derived platform. Both Niro powertrains continue to be front-wheel drive (FWD) only, in contrast to the brand’s EV6 crossover that sits on the Kia-Hyundai e-GMP dedicated EV architecture with a choice of rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

Like the previous, first-generation Niro that arrived in Australia in 2020, the more stylish second-gen car is available to Australian buyers in entry-level S specification or a fully-loaded GT-Line trim across hybrid and full-electric powertrains.

S and GT-Line trims return for Niro in Australia

Two trim grades continue to be offered to Australian Niro buyers: an entry-level S ($44,380 hybrid, $65,300 full-electric), and fully-loaded GT-Line trim ($50,030 hybrid, $72,100 electric).

Upgrading from hybrid to electric requires shelling out $20,920 extra in S guise or $22,070 more in GT-Line guise, while the upcharge from S to GT-Line is $5650 in hybrid or $6800 in electric.

Standard equipment on the Niro S models for both powertrains takes in:

16-inch (hybrid) or 17-inch (electric) alloy wheels
Multi-link independent rear suspension
Automatic halogen headlights
Cloth and artificial leather seat trim
Plastic steering wheel and gear shifter
10-way electrically-adjustable driver’s seat
6-way manually-adjustable passenger seat
8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired/wireless Android Auto
Six-speaker stereo
DAB/AM/FM radio, Bluetooth
4.2-inch digital drive cluster screen
4 USB ports (3x USB-C, 1x USB-A)
Dual-zone climate control
Acoustic windscreen, solar glass
Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
Forwards and junction autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian detection
Reversing camera and rear parking sensors
Lane keeping assist
Blind spot monitoring with blind spot AEB

Note that the fully-electric Niro S also adds a ‘premium’ steering wheel material and a larger 10.25-inch digital driver display over the hybrid.

Upgrading to the GT-Line specification for an extra $5650-6800 adds these features:

18-inch (hybrid) or 17-inch (electric) alloy wheels
Gloss black mirror caps
LED headlights (projection-type)
Privacy glass (rear windows/tailgate)
Laminated front door glass
Vinyl seat trim in charcoal
Heated and cooled front seats
Dual 10.25-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
Satellite navigation
Wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto (wireless deleted)
Premium steering wheel, heated
Alloy sports pedals
64-colour ambient interior lighting
Wireless Qi phone charging
Smart key, comfort access, push-button start
Remote automated parking (forwards/backwards)
Kia Connect services with eCall/SOS
Automatic windscreen wipers
Reversing AEB
Front parking sensors
Cyclist/pedestrian-detecting door exit warning
Power rear door child locks

The GT-Line also scores a sunroof if you go for the fully electric powertrain, as well as a Harman-Kardon stereo with eight speakers. Both electric versions have a tyre mobility kit while the hybrids have a space-saver spare wheel and tyre.

Full-electric Niro: range, efficiency and charging info

Related under the skin to the Hyundai Kona Electric – albeit with a number of improvements reflecting its status as a new-generation model – the Niro was lauded for high efficiency in previous generation.

That status is slated to continue, with the new Niro rated to return the same frugal 14kWh/100km as a base-model EV6.

According to WLTP ratings, the full-electric Niro will offer a range of 463km from its relatively modest 64.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. By contrast, the dearer EV6 has a larger 72.6kWh battery.

Unlike the Kona Electric, there is no short-range Niro offered in Australia, though a smaller-battery Niro will be available overseas.

DC rapid-charging times differ substantially, with the 400-volt Niro capped at a low 80kW DC speed, while the 800-volt EV6 can be recharged at up to 233kW. In practice, the Niro requires 43 minutes to be recharged to 300km range – the EV6 needs just 18 minutes.

Part of the Niro’s efficiency comes from its relatively light mass for a battery-electric vehicle. Kia says the EV version tips the scales at 1727kg, compared to 1454kg for the hybrid.