Kia Niro Electric Has Arrived With A Price Of RM255,888

Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd has just introduced its next BEV crossover, which is the Kia Niro EV with a starting price of RM 255,888.00. This starts the question within the Malaysian EV community on will it better to just par RM45k more and buy the larger and better looking Kia EV6 for RM300k?

Well, right now the waiting list of the EV6 is still a few months and this Niro can be in your garage right now. Plus, this all electric crossover is not lacking in any features and technology that EV drivers want and need right now.

Exterior

The Niro EV features a bold and dynamic design inspired by the brand’s design philosophy, “Opposites United”, specifically from the “Joy for Reason” design pillar that combines emotional and rational to create vehicles that inspire movement.

The inspiration from nature, while the choice of colours, materials and finishes aim to achieve the perfect balance between an environmentally responsible approach to mobility and a future-oriented passenger car vision.

The exterior embodies a sophisticated and adventurous sense of purpose from Kia’s 2019 HabaNiro concept car.

The front end of the Niro EV features Kia’s signature “Tiger Face” that extends from the hood to the rugged fender below. Striking daytime running lights (DRLs) known as the “heartbeat” adds to the unique yet contemporary look, while the bold skid plate and cladding further enhances the vehicle’s ruggedness.

The stylish and bold crossover side profile comprises a high-tech two-tone body with a wide Aero C-Pillar at the rear, enhancing air flow to improve aerodynamics that blends into striking boomerang-shaped rear taillights that form its sporty appearance.

A subtle feature that incorporates seamlessly with the exterior design is the Active Air Flap within the grille which contributes to the new Niro’s competitive 0.29 co-efficient (Cd) achievement.

Interior

The all-new Niro features an eco-friendly interior, offering a fresh interpretation with premium quality materials, textured surfaces and a welcoming feel. T

he off-centre dashboard curves combines the bold horizontal and diagonal lines leading to a calming aesthetic through ambient mood lighting, available in no fewer than 64 colour options, which can be customised to create a warm and serene environment.

Two high-tech 10.25-inch high-definition digital display screens between the diagonal lines integrates the instrument cluster and infotainment in one streamlined panoramic combination.

Designed to be accessible with sharp graphics and a highly intuitive layout; enabling users to personalise, access and operate the connectivity usability and functionality features with ease and confidence.

The Kia Niro EV is equipped with impressive state-of-the-art technology that enhances safety, connectivity and infotainment which is designed to make travelling safer and more accessible. Its high-tech 10.25-inch infotainment features Apple Carplay, Android Auto, and smartphone wireless charging.

Below the centre screen is the clean and coherent look of an integrated infotainment and climate control system to ensure front-seat passengers can access to these controls. The stylish centre console is within easy reach of the driver, incorporating a modern look and finish.

The driver can operate the Niro EV’s electronic rotary dial shift lever, with a space-saving design, convenience and practicality. Variable large cup-capacity cupholder tray and its smartphone wireless charger are within reach on the centre console.

Contemporary seats enhance the roominess and comfort of the vehicle due to their high-tech, lightweight seat mechanism. The front relaxion passenger seat can recline to a very comfortable reclining posture at the touch of a button. USB-C ports are incorporated on the sides of the front seats and storage pockets for the benefit of rear-seat passengers, while the slim headrests also act as jacket hangers.

The Kia Niro EV comes standard with Black Leatherette upholstered seats. As Kia’s commitment to sustainability, the all-new Kia Niro EV presents new recycled materials inside its cabin. The headlining is made from recycled wallpaper, and the seats are made from Bio PU* with Tencel* from eucalyptus leaves and BTX-free paint is used on its door panels to minimise environmental impact and reduce waste.

The all-new Kia Niro’s dimension has grown from its predecessor, with a length measuring 4,420mm, a width of 1,825mm and a height of 1,570mm, redesigned based on Kia’s third-generation “K” platform. Therefore, the 2,720mm wheelbase of the all-new Kia Niro offers a spacious environment for its occupants and storage capacity.

In addition, the Niro EV offers cabin storage of 475 litres with the seats in the upright position and an additional 1,392 litres of cabin storage with its rear seats folded down.

Another intelligent storage solution in the Niro EV, is a useful 20-litre frunk (front trunk) under the bonnet. The frunk storage space is designed to store the vehicle’s charging cable and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) adapter as its location is close to its charging port at the front of the vehicle.

Powertrain

The Kia Niro EV is powered by a 64.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, offering an energetic and lively performance, producing 150 kW (201 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 255 Nm. With a top speed of 167 km/h and 0 – 100 km/h in just 7.8 seconds, the Niro EV enables its driver to make effortless and smooth progress in all conditions.

The Niro EV can travel up to approximately 460 kilometres* on a single charge. The Niro EV can be charged up from 10% to 80% within 43 minutes using the DC rapid charging.

Kia’s Smart Regeneration braking system allows the driver to choose from a series of regeneration levels to slow the car down quickly and allows it to recuperate its kinetic energy to maximise the driving range. This system can calculate the amount of regeneration required using its radar and road gradient information. It also allows the car to produce maximum energy from its brakes while bringing the vehicle to a gentle halt.

The Kia Niro EV is equipped with a new suspension and steering system that has been improved to deliver an enjoyable and responsive driving experience. The all-new Niro EV benefits from a Macpherson strut-type suspension at the front, while the rear gets a four-link type set-up. Both its front and rear geometry have been tuned for improved responsiveness, stability and ride comfort, with an optimised steering gear ratio and a new tilt-type strut bearing that reduces friction to improve its steering feel.

Other additional convenience features include the vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality which is capable of discharging energy from the vehicle battery and is capable of operating lifestyle electronic accessories. The V2L is featured in the Kia Niro EV, and its function can supply up to 3.6 kWh of power.

Advanced Safety Technology

The all-new Kia Niro EV is equipped with both standard safety features and advanced safety features designed to avoid potential hazards and improve confidence and convenience while behind the wheel.

The standard safety features of the Kia Niro EV include 8 SRS airbags (front driver & passengers, front side, side, curtain and driver’s knee), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Safe Exit Assist (SEA) system which automatically provides a warning if a vehicle is approaching from the rear side is detected within the blind-spot. Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Traction Control System (TCS), ISOFIX child restraint anchor points and Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) come as standard.

In terms of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features, the Kia Niro EV is equipped with High Beam Assist (HBA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Assist (RCCA), which detects oncoming vehicles approaching from either side when reversing out of a tight parking spot. In addition, there is also the Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Junction Turning, which provides preventive safety when navigating through junctions. Completing the ADAS features are the Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Smart Cruise Control (SCC).

The all-new Kia Niro EV is currently imported as CBU from South Korea. The colour line-up includes Snow White Pearl, Mineral Blue and Cityscape Green, making a total of 3 colours available.

With a starting price of RM255,888.00, the Kia Niro EV comes with a 5-Years Manufacturer Warranty (or 150,000km), whichever comes first. It also comes with an 8-Years High Voltage Battery Pack warranty, and a mileage limit of 160,000km, whichever comes first.