2018 Kia Niro Review

Posted on November 20, 2017

Come see why
we love the 2018 Kia Niro for sale in Calgary at South Trail Kia.

2018 Kia Niro Review

We've been excited about
the 2018 Kia Niro right from the start here at
South Trail Kia in Calgary. The Niro delivers style, driving excitement, and
utility, along with spectacular fuel economy for a compact SUV. We think it's a
no-compromise choice for drivers who want it all, and it starts at only
$24,995!

Let's begin with the
drivetrain. It shows the 2018 Kia Niro's have-it-all philosophy in action,
combining power and efficiency. It's called a full parallel hybrid system, and
it brings together a 1.56 kWh lithium-ion battery, an electric motor and a 1.6L
gasoline-direct injection engine. Combined, these add up to 139 hp and a hefty
195 lb.-ft. of torque, delivered to the front wheels through a six-speed
automatic transmission.

So what does that
translate to out in the real world? Well, at low speeds the battery powers the
electric motor for quiet, fuel-free driving. At higher speeds or when you need
a little extra grunt for merging with traffic or climbing hills, the gasoline
engine kicks in. The gasoline engine engages so smoothly and quietly that
you'll barely notice the transition. You'll just experience a steady
performance at all speeds.

Despite all this, the
hybrid drivetrain's fuel efficiency adds up to 4.5 L/100kms around town and 4.8
L/100kms on the highway. Yes, you read that correctly; you can actually get
better fuel efficiency around town than on the highway. When you slow down
while driving, the Niro's motor and regenerative braking system capture some of
the car's kinetic energy to recharge the battery on the fly, so more
"juice" is available for city driving.

The Niro's suspension
absorbs bumps and potholes with ease.  Yet lean into a corner and you'll
discover something remarkable: the Niro generates very impressive grip. In
fact, it can achieve skid pad grips ranging between a sporty 0.82g (for the L
model) and a terrific 0.90g (for the SX Touring model). Car and Driver magazine called that
"phenomenal for a hybrid without a Porsche badge on the hood."

Right now we're
particularly excited about the 2018 Kia Niro Hybrid Plug-in, brand new for
this model year. Charge up its extra-powerful battery and you're ready to go
all-electric for much of your driving. You'll go so long without gassing up,
your local filling station attendants will miss you!

We've covered
performance and fuel efficiency, but what about style and utility? Well, the
style is easy to see at a first glance, but that's not just skin deep. The 2018Kia Niro's suave sheet metal encloses a roomy, comfortable, and high-quality
interior with fold-down rear seats for expanded cargo capacity.

Everything we've talked
about so far testifies to what a great value the Niro is, but it gets better.
In its base L model configuration, the Niro includes a terrific level of
standard equipment including a heated steering wheel and heated front seats,
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and a backup camera. Optional trim
levels add safety equipment like lane departure warning, blind spot detection,
and autonomous emergency braking.

We're excited to have
the 2018 Kia Niro for sale in Calgary, and we'd love to have you come by and
fall in love with it too. Call us today at 1 (888) 622-5154, or just drop in to
our showroom and check it out for yourself!