Kia Niro Plus generations

The Kia Niro Plus has recently entered the Israeli market and has already taken a leading position. By the end of the first half of 2023, it ranks sixth in Israel's most popular cars list. The Niro Plus is a special version of the first-generation Kia Niro crossover designed for taxis: it's larger and equipped with everything needed for transportation services. Despite its essentially commercial purpose, the car is aesthetically pleasing. Add a diverse choice of powertrains and an affordable price, and you'll understand its popularity.

The Kia Niro Plus has been in production since 2022. The crossover belongs to the PBV (Purpose-Built Vehicles) segment, which includes cars for taxis, car-sharing, disabled transportation, delivery services, etc. The new model is based on the first-generation Kia Niro but stands out due to its larger size and an adapted media system that eliminates the need for additional gadgets. It already has built-in navigation, a taximeter, a digital tachograph, and a voice recognition system.

The Plus version has increased in length (plus 10 mm) and height (plus 80 mm). The upper half underwent significant changes — new door openings and side windows, different bumpers, running lights, and rear lights. The roof was raised and made less sloping, resulting in a considerable increase in cabin space: the ceiling above the front seats is 50 mm higher, and above the rear seats, it's 64 mm higher.

Inside, a lot of work was done on the back of the cabin, all with the aim of increasing space. The rear sofa was moved 28 mm back, and the thickness of the cushions, backrests, and door plastic panels was reduced. Additional handles, a massive bag hook, and a USB-C port for charging gadgets were added. Safety belt locks come with backlighting. The front passenger seat has electric adjustment, which can be operated from the rear sofa. The media system with a 10.25-inch screen has additional functions: in addition to navigation, it has a taximeter, a digital tachograph, and a voice recognition system. It also has information about landmarks and charging station coordinates.

In Israel, the new 2023 Kia Niro Plus is available in three versions: a regular hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and a fully electric one. All hybrids come with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Drive is exclusively front-wheel.

The basic Kia Niro Plus hybrid (without the option to plug in) is based on a 1.6-liter turbo engine. A 44 hp electric motor is integrated into the gearbox, with the system's peak output being 141 hp. The traction battery has a capacity of just 1.32 kWh. Such a hybrid can only move on electric power for a short time and at a slow pace.

The plug-in hybrid Kia Niro Plus PHEV is based on the same gasoline engine plus an electric motor. The powertrain's peak output remains at 141 hp. The traction battery has a capacity of 8.9 kWh, with an electric range of 49 km according to the WLTP cycle. The electric Kia Niro Plus EV has a single front-axle electric motor with 204 hp and a lithium-ion traction battery with a capacity of 64 kWh. Its certified range is up to 427 km per the WLTP cycle.