Cycle & Carriage (C&C) has recently revamped its Kia showroom along Alexandra Road. With a complete remodelling, the showroom now boasts ample room to showcase up to 9 cars on its showroom floor.

The grand reopening was also an opportunity to unveil their latest collaboration with Kia – the new Kia Niro Plus EV. While the hybrid version of the Niro was announced earlier as a taxi and PHV option, the Niro Plus EV is specifically designed and engineered to cater to the needs of mobility services.

C&C anticipates that the majority of Niro Plus EV sales will be directed towards fleets, including taxi companies, ride-hailing services, and car-sharing firms. However, unlike its hybrid counterpart, the EV version is also available for sale to private individuals. This is an enticing preposition for owners who require additional space but aren’t content with the current EV offerings on the market.

The Kia Niro Plus EV boasts additional tall cargo space and a taller roofline, bestowing rear passengers with added comfort.

Pricing details have yet to be revealed, but the car is available for viewing in their showroom.

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The Kia Niro Hybrid launched in Singapore last year to much fanfare. It had all of the features you wanted, a comfortable ride, and it can do all of that whilst still giving you amazing fuel economy.

Building on that success, Kia has now deleted the Niro’s exhaust pipes and given it an electric whirr instead. Welcome everyone, to the Kia Niro Electric.

Seeing double

Kia really hit a home run with the Niro Hybrid’s design, with its sleek looks and future-focused features. So why change something that already looks great?

This was probably the decision the designers came to, and the Niro EV basically looks identical to its hybrid sister, albeit with a new flap right smack in the centre. 

It’s a good move too, as the design has started to become synonymous with Kia’s latest and greatest. 

Interestingly, the Niro Electric doesn’t even sport any  ‘electric’ this or ‘EV’ that badging, so if you are behind one of these, the only way you can tell the two apart is by the aforementioned lack of tailpipes.

It’s got all you need…

Similar to the exterior, the cabin of the Niro Electric is almost identical to the highest-spec Niro Hybrid’s SX trim variant.

The insides are lined with premium materials and lavished with tons of the latest technology, really giving you a sense of prestige and class. I really like the upmarket direction Kia is heading towards, and you can really see it in their current range such as cars like the EV6. 

A wide digital dashboard spans across the driver’s viewpoint, loaded with two 10.25-inch screens. Most of the items are touch-sensitive, and my favourite feature of them all is the dual mode control panel which rotates between HVAC and media control settings.

This is a brilliant way to implement controls without relegating them to a sub-par touchscreen configuration. Should you wish to charge your devices via cable, there are a pair of USB ports on hand as well.

… with room to spare

Being the no-expense-spared top-of-the-line SX variant equivalent, the Kia Niro Electric has more than enough features to put even some luxury models to shame.

While driving, creature comforts such as auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control are always nice conveniences to own. Plus, the Niro Electric also comes with Kia’s comprehensive safety suite, which includes features like blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and driver attention monitor. Parking is a breeze in the Niro, with front and rear sensors keeping any obstacles at bay and a crisp rear camera to visualise what you’re backing into.

Front occupants are treated to heating and cooling seats, and there’s even a heated steering wheel. Believe me, it does have its uses on cold rainy days. Customisable ambient cabin lighting adds a touch of uniqueness to the space, and a small sunroof floods a good amount of natural light into the cabin. 

Rear passengers get treated to rear aircon vents and USB ports fitted into the front seats for charging devices on the go. All seats are wrapped in leather, and rear legroom and headroom are more than sufficient for even 3 tall adults.

An electric tailgate opens up 451 litres of cargo space, plenty for the weekly family shop. Fold the seats down in a 60:40 set-up, and you have a do-it-all machine that can pack it all in.

Silent efficiency

With a modest 108kW (145bhp) and 255Nm of torque sent to the front wheels via a single electric motor, the Kia Niro Electric isn’t the quickest when it comes to the traffic light sprint, with a 0-100km/h time of 7.8 seconds. At full chat, it can do 167km/h, not exactly neck-breaking speeds up north either.

But, what the Niro Electric does well is give you a smooth and comfortable ride. Power delivery is well-regulated and linear, meaning you do not get large jolts of power each time you depress the accelerator more enthusiastically. Perfect for the heavy-footed driver that oscillates (nausea-inducing) their foot while on the go.

Get it up to speed, and the car cruises effortlessly whilst sipping tiny amounts of energy. This greatly helps energy consumption, giving you less range anxiety. Kia’s official figure is 6.17km/kWh, but during my test, I could easily garner between 7.5 – 9 km/kWh, depending on traffic conditions. The Niro can do about 420km on a single charge, and I am confident you can easily achieve this range, if not beat it.

Should you wish to be more energetic with the car, the Niro Electric can perform too. Unlike other econoboxes, steering does feel responsive overall, and you do get responsiveness from the chassis. A flat battery pack under the floor keeps the centre of gravity low, and the Niro feels agile when performing manoeuvres. 

Subtle when you want it, responsive should you want to try it.

An outstanding all-rounder

The Kia Niro Electric is a great car. No scratch that, it’s a fantastic car. The only thing that’s not so fantastic, is its price tag.

At $214,999 (accurate at the time of writing), the Niro Electric does command a little more than competitors in the same segment. For less, you could opt for cars like the Peugeot e-2008 or Hyundai Kona Electric, albeit with smaller proportions and less range. Even its Hybrid sibling is a standout choice, and it can save you a buck or two as well.

But, don’t let this small hurdle discourage you from looking at the big picture. If you are in the market for an EV that has everything you could possibly want, and has the comfort and practicality that the whole family could love, then the Kia Niro Electric is a model that is leading the charge. 

Technical Specifications

Kia Niro Electric

Engine: Single Asynchronous Electric Motor
Power: 108kw (145bhp)
Torque: 255Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 7.8 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 167km/h
Battery Capacity: 64.8 kWh
Drive Range: 460 km (claimed)
Energy Consumption: 6.17 km/kWh (claimed)

Price: S$214,999 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Cycle & Carriage Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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If you ask someone on the street what is a Kia Niro, chances are the replies you get are of the same tune as “efficient”, “family car” or maybe even “boring”. And that was something the Niro Hybrid couldn’t escape from, being relegated to the echelon of “NPC” cars.

Until now, that is. Kia has launched a new generation of the Niro Hybrid, and I am confidently going to say that I absolutely adore it. And I’m pretty sure you’ll love it too.

Upmarket glow up

\Gone are the days of “civilian” bland looks and lacklustre curves, as the new Kia Niro Hybrid has gone through puberty and come out the other side with looks that impress.

Kia has really gone to town with the design, and refinements made to the traditional compact SUV stature have resulted in sleeker contours and a future-conscious outlook. Even though it has gone through a radical outfit change, the Niro is still inoffensive to the eye, unlike some rivals on the market.

The front enclave has completely been redesigned, with a new cluster of DRLs and LED headlights that impose the car’s future-focused nature.

This theme continues throughout the car, with an ever-sloping roofline which culminates in tall taillights and a neatly tucked rear.

Add a dash of chrome accents and stylish 16-inch alloy rims, and the Niro Hybrid regularly attracts the gaze of curious onlookers.

Out with the old, in with the new

The Kia Niro Hybrid not only impresses on the outside but also on the inside.

The first thing that immediately catches your attention is just how angular the cabin really is, but it is done so in a way that isn’t brash or disruptive. Jump in the hot seat, and you are greeted by two bright digital displays.

The steering wheel does have quite a number of buttons, but they are easy to get used to and have a nice tactile feel to them.

For all your entertainment needs, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen is able to wirelessly connect to both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Your device can then be chucked into the wireless charging tray, out of sight and out of mind.

Should you wish to charge your devices via cable, there are a pair of USB ports on hand as well.

The high-end SX variant receives a scroll gear selector instead of a gear shifter, and this really clears up the clutter amongst the centre console.

A cavernous cubby hole can take in a variety of items, and cup holders can slide out at a touch of a button.

Here’s something I really like about the Niro. Your volume and HVAC controls are a combination of physical dials and haptic buttons, and both menus are interchangeable. There isn’t any ridiculous screen menu to furiously press on, and you are able to swap settings with ease.

It isn’t perfect, but it’s one of the better implementations of modern touch-sensitive designs that don’t compromise on use whilst operating while driving.

You want it, you got it

This particular unit is the no-expense-spared top-of-the-line SX variant, and it has more than enough features to put luxury models to shame.

On the roads, creature comforts such as auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, and adaptive cruise control are always a treat to have. The Niro also comes with Kia’s comprehensive safety suite, which includes features like blindspot monitoring, lane keep assist, and driver attention monitor.

Front passengers are also bestowed with electric seats which come with heating and cooling functionality. The cabin is warmed with ambient lighting, or from natural sunlight coming in through the sunroof.

Rear passengers are also treated to rear aircon vents and USB ports fitted into the front seats for charging devices on the go. All seats are wrapped in leather, and rear legroom and headroom are more than sufficient for even tall adults.

An electric tailgate reveals 451 litres of cargo space is plenty for the weekly family shop, and the rear seats can be folded down too for more adventurous furniture trips.

Parking is a breeze in the Niro, with front and rear sensors keeping any obstacles at bay and a crisp rear camera to visualise what you’re backing into.

Efficiency is my middle name

The 1.6-litre Smartstream-G 4-pot works in tandem with an electric motor producing a combined output of 129bhp and 144Nm of torque. That is adequate for a 10.4 seconds century sprint, and the Niro can be pushed to 165km/h at full chat.

Of course, the Niro wouldn’t be winning traffic light drag races any time soon, but that’s not the main selling point of this car. Where the Niro really impresses, is just how efficient it is. 42-litres for a fuel tank doesn’t sound like a lot, but it is enough to give the Niro an average range of 780km, and that is with mixed traffic start/stop driving. Be gentle with the pedal, and the Niro can attain closer to 4 digits of range, which is mighty impressive.

With less-than-ideal pedal discipline, I still managed to garner an average of 19.7km/litre while testing. With more self-control, this number can easily hover around the mid-20s region. All in all, you won’t be seeing petrol stations that frequently any more when you ride with this puppy.

The engine is switched off as often as it can, and the Niro runs on full EV power while cruising or coasting. Should you need to coax more power to the wheels, the engine silently clicks back into life without any hindrance or noticeable vibrations. This system is practically flawless, and I am nothing short of impressed at just how smooth the transition is.

You do get pedal shifters in the Niro, and this is the first time I’ve encountered pedals which serve different functions. In Eco mode, the pedals are there to adjust the strength of energy regeneration, depending on your driving comfort. Switch it into Sport, and the pedals are now used to select the 6 gears in the car’s automatic DCT. Yes, this car indeed has a DCT gearbox. This is one of many design traits which I find brilliant in the Niro.

With its soft suspension set up for ride comfort, the Niro does rock around a little when pushed into corners. Even in its Sport mode, the stiffer steering doesn’t induce as much confidence to take bends at speed. But, this shouldn’t put down the Niro’s high points, and as long as you aren’t reckless with it, the Niro is brilliant on the roads.

An outstanding candidate

What more can I say, other than the Kia Niro Hybrid is brilliant, and it breaks the norm that hybrid cars cannot be exciting to drive.

It’s a car that your university-going child that just got his/her can drive to school without any hesitation, due to its simple and easy-to-operate nature. At the same time, you can ferry around your co-workers and have them seriously impressed.

It can be a little on the steeper side in terms of pricing, with the price hovering at $174,999 at the time of writing. But, if you’re looking for a hybrid car that guarantees smiles per gallon, there is no better place to look.

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This is the third time that Kia Singapore has partnered with Singapore-based taxi operator Premier, with their previous two collaborations being the Magentis in 2006 and Optima K5 in 2013.

Approximately 700 units of the unique Niro Plus Hybrid variant will be introduced to our roads in 2023. These vehicles differ slightly from their regular Niro counterparts and will be used exclusively for taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) services.

The Niro Plus Hybrid is also Premier’s first partnership with cleaner hybrid engines, as opposed to diesel engines in past models. The Niro Plus Hybrid is also touted as Kia’s first Purpose-Built Vehicle (PBV), which are vehicles specially curated by the Hyundai Motor Group and are optimised for fleet or small business applications.

“The Niro Plus Hybrid is Kia’s first ‘purpose-built vehicle’, made for fleet operators to fulfil modern-day business demands, which often can be a mixed bag of delivery and logistics services and people mover purposes, including ride-hailing,” shares Dawn Pan, director of multi-franchise operations at Cycle & Carriage Singapore. 

Interestingly, this particular Niro Hybrid is based off the outgoing generation, and not the current generation which set a new record for Singapore’s longest test drive relay.

With some design tweaks, the Niro Hybrid Plus is now 80mm taller and 10mm wider than its regular counterpart, with door handles built into the B pillars. Doors on the Niro Plus Hybrid are also wide-opening, making it easier for passenger ingress and egress. 

As most taxi passengers spend their time in the rear cabin, aircon vents are available along with USB ports, enabling passengers to top off their smartphones. The vehicle’s boot arguably sees the most change, with a taller roofline that is spacious enough to store three large pieces of luggage, along with a folded wheelchair. Exactly what a taxi needs.

With a 1.6-litre four-cylinder direct injection hybrid engine, taxi drivers can be assured that they can run longer, as the Niro Plus Hybrid has a quoted efficiency of 5.3L/100km. Additional safety features like Smart Cruise Control, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Lane Keep Assist System serve to keep taxi drivers safe on the roads.

“As vehicles that undergo long mileage and heavy usage, taxis have to meet greater demands than ordinary cars. They must be safe and comfortable, should have extensive space to transport luggage and bulky items, and need to be both reliable and fuel-efficient to keep operating costs at a minimum.” Dawn Pan adds.

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On 30th October, Cycle and Carriage Kia officially set a new national record for Singapore’s Longest Test Drive Relay. The challenge was covered by the all-new Niro Hybrid, and it achieved a distance of approximately 970.3 km on a single tank of fuel. This is the equivalent of travelling between Changi Airport and Tuas 17 times!

18 participants accomplished this task over a period of 21 hours and 32 minutes, cementing Cycle and Carriage Kia in the Singapore Book of Records for the Longest Test Drive Relay ever recorded.

What’s more amazing is that this challenge was done over the weekend, when more congestion is usually expected. Despite intermittent road and traffic conditions, as well as varying driving styles, the Niro Hybrid was still able to clock a peak fuel efficiency of more than 24km/litre.

Participants also had the opportunity to experience the Niro’s Kia Connect Lite feature during their drives, which through remote control and monitoring, assisted in facilitating a smooth drive throughout the event. 

With so many external factors in play, setting up a challenge attempt like this was not an easy feat. “The team went through many considerations in planning for The Longest Test Drive Relay. We factored in different road situations, traffic conditions and driving styles to put the Niro Hybrid’s fuel consumption to the real-life test.

Other challenges include strategising detailed contingency plans, which were put in place for any possibilities of accidents or no-shows of participants for the relay which may potentially cut short and disrupt the record-setting experience. Thankfully we had the support of all participants, and the Niro Hybrid has risen to our expectations in achieving superior performance in fuel efficiency.” said Ho Wing Sum, Assistant Marketing Manager, Kia.

Interested in exploring more about the Kia Niro Hybrid? Head on down to Cycle & Carriage’s Kia Showroom today or visit their website for more information.

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