MUCHO DINERO FOR THE NEW NIRO?

KIA NIRO

- MIKE STEVENS

Model Kia Niro GT Line EV

Motor Single (front axle)

Battery 64.8kWh

Max power 150kW

Max torque 255Nm

Transmission Single-speed reduction gear

Weight 1727kg 0-100km/h 7.8sec (claimed)

Economy 16.8kWh/100km

Price $72,100

On sale Now

THE ALL-NEW Niro electric and hybrid SUVs represent Kia’s aim for a volume-selling proposition in the Australian EV market. But that assault won’t come through the virtue of being much more affordable than the COTY-winning EV6, but rather because Kia’s Australian arm has confirmed moderately better supply for the Niro than it’s been able to get for the EV6. Around 80 Niros will be available each month, with some 60 percent of those expected to be made up of orders for the EV.

So how much? Where the larger EV6 starts from $67,990 (when you can even get into one), the electric Niro carries a similarly high tag of $65,300 for the entry-level S spec, and $72,100 for the top-spec GT-Line. The petrol-electric hybrid is priced at $44,380 in S trim and $50,030 for the GT-Line. The hybrid’s price brings it perilously close to the larger and hugely popular Toyota RAV4 hybrid in comparable Cruiser 2WD form.