Kia has kept its word. Well, almost.
Kia has unveiled the second-gen Niro lineup at the 2021 Seoul Mobility Show (in Korea). We mostly have its design to talk about in this post, but you can expect the full details closer to the launch date which is gonna be sometime next year. But anyway, the 2022 Niro borrows most of the styling elements from the 2019 HabaNiro concept—which Kia wanted everyone to take seriously.
“Some will assume the HabaNiro concept will never be built, but we don’t advise betting the farm on it,” Kia had said in its official press release in 2019. Indeed, the company has kept its word. The front fascia with new headlights and heartbeat running light signatures almost matches that of the HabaNiro concept—and so is the contrast paint on the C-pillar that follows the shape of the taillight and extends till the wheel arch. Notice that the wheel design is also similar to those on the concept, and also notice how the front wheel arch cladding sort of extends and becomes door cladding. The styling elements from HabaNiro concept have been mixed with the brand’s new Opposites United design philosophy for practicality reasons.
Speaking of practicality, the way you access the new Niro’s cabin is via normal doors and not via butterfly doors. Once inside, the dashboard and most of the interior bits don’t match HabaNiro’s interior, again, for practicality reasons. However, it matches the latest Kia models. The swoopy dashboard and door cards look pretty fancy—as are the ambient lighting and the shape of the air vents and door pulls.
There are some eco-friendly and recycled materials inside the cabin. These would include headlining made from recycled wallpaper, seats made from Bio PU with Tencel from eucalyptus leaves, and BTX free paint (free from benzene, toluene, and xylene isomers) on the door panels.
As mentioned, more details are held back for a later date. But Kia said that the 2022 Niro will be available with EV, HEV and PHEV powertrains. The hybrid models will feature a ‘Greenzone Drive Mode’ which automatically switches the vehicle to EV mode when driving in green zones such as residential areas, schools and hospitals.
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