2023 Kia Niro Plus price and specs

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• 2023 Kia Niro Plus pricing and specifications
• First-generation Niro adapted for rideshare and taxi use
• Hybrid and electric power available
• Priced from $41,740 plus on-road costs

The 2023 Kia Niro Plus – a hybrid or electric small SUV aimed at rideshare and taxi operators – has arrived in Australia, priced from $41,710 plus on-road costs.

While Kia introduced an all-new, second-generation Niro in Australia in July, the Niro Plus is based on the first-generation Niro launched in 2016 – but caters to rideshare and taxi drivers with a 30mm-longer body and 85mm-taller roofline for more passenger and cargo space.

There are slimmed-down seat structures and door trims to maximise interior space, new door reflectors, and additional handles to help passengers climb in.

Two models will be available in Australia, both low-trim ‘S’ variants: a hybrid, priced from $41,710 plus on-road costs, and an electric vehicle (EV), priced from $64,450 plus on-road costs.

These are $1720 and $1680 dearer respectively than equivalent Hybrid S and EV S versions of the now-discontinued, first-generation Niro – but $2670 and $850 cheaper respectively than the second-generation Niro in showrooms now.

A Kia Australia spokesperson told Drive stock of the Niro Plus will be “limited” – and this year’s allocation has already sold out.

It will be available to private and fleet buyers, however most examples so far have been purchased by fleets – primarily ride-share operators (using Uber, Didi, and other apps).

Powering the Niro Plus hybrid is a 1.6-litre non-turbo petrol engine and 32kW electric motor, which combine for outputs of 104kW, sent to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It is claimed to consume 4.3 litres of fuel per 100km in official lab testing.

Meanwhile, the Niro Plus EV uses a 150kW/395Nm electric motor and 64kWh battery pack, capable of a 427km driving range claim in European WLTP testing – 28km less than the regular first-generation Niro EV that shares the Plus model’s battery and electric motor.

Standard features include automatic halogen headlight, 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, single- or dual-zone climate control, four or six speakers, part-leather seats, parking sensors, and a suite of advanced safety features.

Compared to the first-generation Niro S they’re based on, the Plus variants add standard blind-spot monitoring, 17-inch wheels (hybrid only; already standard on regular Niro EV S) and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror (hybrid) – but lose tyre pressure monitoring, and for the electric model, a six-speaker sound system.

The 2023 Kia Niro Plus in on sale now in Australia.

2023 Kia Niro Plus Australian pricing

• Niro Plus Hybrid S – $41,710
• Niro Plus EV S – $64,450

Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.

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2023 Kia Niro Plus Hybrid S standard features:

• Dusk-sensing halogen headlights
• LED daytime-running lights and tail-lights
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing camera and AM/FM/digital radio
• 4.2-inch instrument display
• Six-speaker sound system
• Cloth and faux leather seat upholstery
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
• Eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar
• Dual-zone climate control
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• Rear privacy glass
• Power-folding side mirrors with heating
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Rear parking sensors
• Autonomous emergency braking (low speed) with pedestrian detection
• Lane-keep assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring

2023 Kia Niro Plus EV S adds (over Hybrid S):

• Keyless entry and start
• Single-zone climate control
• 7.0-inch instrument display
• Shift-by-wire rotary gear selector
• Four-speaker sound system, down from six

The post 2023 Kia Niro Plus price and specs appeared first on Drive.

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