It’s not always easy to identify manufacturer prototypes that are heavily camouflaged for testing on public roads. This is one of those cases. We had a little bit of help as this conspicuous hatchback was caught traveling in a convoy with Hyundai and Genesis vehicles. A closer inspection of the shape and cladding suggests that this very well can be the 2017 Kia Niro hybrid.
An even closer look of the front driver-side fender has some extra cladding that is not on other Kia Niro prototypes spied elsewhere. Kia said that a plug-in version of the Niro will also be coming, so this may be a prototype of that car.
According to Kia, their plan for the Niro is to use its fresh crossover-like style and practicality, high efficiency, and fun-to-drive factor as three of its main selling points. The Niro is powered by a gasoline-electric hybrid system with a twist. It combines a 103-horsepower 1.6-liter GDI gasoline engine with a 43-horsepower electric motor for a combined system output of 146 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The twist is that it uses a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while most of the competition uses CVTs (continuously variable transmissions).
This crossover/hatchback will offer 25.2 cu-ft of cargo room behind the second row seats. Its 106.3-inch wheelbase should offer decent passenger space as well. Kia estimates that the Niro will get around 50 MPG, but exact EPA ratings are not yet available.
The 2017 Kia Niro is slated to go on sale in the United States in January of 2017. The plug-in hybrid will come at a later date, not yet specified.
Learn all the details about the 2017 Kia Niro hybrid in this Everything You Ever Wanted to Know interview from the car’s official debut at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show.
