2021 Kia Niro price and specs

Australian pricing and specifications for the 2021 Kia Niro have been confirmed, with the vehicle on sale now.

The full range of three electrified powertrains – Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) and (fully) Electric – will be offered in Kia's eco-friendly Niro small SUV locally, which arrives in Australian showrooms late into its life cycle, as a new model is expected to be less than two years away.

Each driveline option will be available in a choice of entry-level S or high-spec Sport variants, with prices ranging from $41,990 drive-away for an entry-level Hybrid S, to $70,990 drive-away for a flagship Electric Sport.

Above: Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Sport.

Powering the Hybrid models is a 77kW/147Nm 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, mated to a 32kW/170Nm electric motor and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for combined outputs of 104kW and 265Nm.

Combined fuel economy is claimed at 3.8L/100km in the Hybrid S, or 4.4L/100km in the Hybrid Sport. Both models feature regenerative braking to recharge their small 1.56kWh batteries, and 'parallel' functionality allowing the e-motor to drive the wheels independently of the engine.

The Plug-in Hybrid gains an uprated 45kW electric motor and a larger 8.9kWh battery pack, delivering identical 104kW/265Nm combined outputs (with the same six-speed dual-clutch auto), but a 1.3L/100km combined fuel economy claim, and 58km of all-electric range on the NEDC test cycle.

PHEV drives have a choice of three modes: Automatic (which selects the "most appropriate setting" based on the conditions), Full EV (which locks the car into all-electric mode), and Hybrid (which ensures the petrol engine and electric motor work together, rather than just the latter).

The Plug-in Hybrid can be recharged from zero to 100 per cent in two hours and 15 minutes on a 3.3kW AC charger.

Above and below: Kia Niro Hybrid S.

Powering the Electric (EV) models is the same mechanical package as the related Hyundai Kona Electric: a 150kW/395Nm electric motor on the front axle, paired with a 64kWh battery for a 455km claimed range on Europe's WLTP test cycle. Four drive modes are available in the EV.

Connect to a 100kW DC socket and Kia claims a zero to 80 per cent fast charge in 54 minutes. A 7.2kW AC home wall-box increases the zero to 100 per cent charge time to nine hours and 35 minutes.

Opening the variant range is the Niro S, priced from $41,990 drive-away as a hybrid, $49,990 drive-away as a plug-in hybrid, or $67,490 drive-away in all-electric form.

Standard equipment across all powertrains includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired and wireless Android Auto, digital radio, halogen headlights and fog lights, LED 'combination' tail-lights, cloth/leather combination trim, roof rails, rain-sensing wipers, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar.

There's also a six-way manually-adjustable passenger seat, keyless entry, automatic temperature control, power-folding mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel (with tilt/telescopic adjustment), six-speaker sound system, rear parking sensors, drive mode selection, an electric parking brake, solar front glass, and regenerative braking.

Standard safety features across all Niro S models include seven airbags (including a driver's knee airbag), autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, adaptive cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring, driver attention monitoring and rear occupant alert.

Exclusive to the Electric S variant are features including 17-inch alloy wheels (with a tyre repair kit), a 7.0-inch digital instrument display, single-zone climate control, electrochromatic rear-view mirror, paddle shifters, an expanded drive mode selector, and a rotary gear shifter.

Meanwhile, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models feature 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and a 4.2-inch driver's information display.

Above: Kia Niro Electric Sport.

Buyers can step up to the Niro Sport, priced from $45,990 drive-away as a hybrid, $53,990 drive-away as a plug-in hybrid, or $70,990 drive-away in all-electric guise.

Sport variants add bi-LED headlights, LED front indicators, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, push-button start, high-beam assist, artificial leather seat trim, alloy pedals, and auto up/down front windows.

The Hybrid Sport exclusively scores 18-inch alloy wheels with a space-saver spare, while the Electric Sport adds an eight-speaker JBL Premium sound system. Paddle shifters and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror are standard on all Sport models.

Hybrid variants are available in a choice of Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Runway Red, Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Sunset Orange, Platinum Graphite and Deep Cerulean Blue exterior colours.

Niro Electric buyers can select from Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Runway Red, Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, and Yacht Blue hues. All colours bar Clear White command a $520 premium.

Boot space with the rear seats upright is rated at 410 litres in the Hybrid, 324 litres in the Plug-in Hybrid, and 451 litres in the Electric. Kia claims similar interior space to its Seltos small SUV.

The 2021 Kia Niro is on sale now.

MORE: Our Niro coverage
MORE: Everything Kia