2023 Kia Niro Plus pricing and features

The 2023 Kia Niro Plus – an upsized small SUV designed for taxi and rideshare use – will arrive in Australia in the coming weeks.

It marks a return for the short-lived previous-generation Niro platform, with the Niro Plus featuring a taller and longer body and equivalent specifications – and hybrid or all-electric powertrains.

However, as with the second-generation model launched in July, Kia Australia will not offer a plug-in hybrid version of the Niro Plus.

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Pricing is comparable with the previous-generation Niro, starting from $41,710 before on-road costs for the S Hybrid and $64,450 plus on-roads for the EV.

This compares to $44,380 and $65,300, respectively, for the new-generation Niro, which has a host of more advanced features – including components taken from Kia’s latest models, such as the EV6 and Sportage.

While private sales are available, a Kia Australia spokesperson said fleets are being prioritised.

“Niro Plus is a fleet focused model with very limited volume that’s already exhausted for 2022,” they said.

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2023 Kia Niro Plus pricing

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2023 Kia Niro Plus features

S Hybrid

S EV, in addition to S Hybrid

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Engine, drivetrain and fuel economy

Under the bonnet, the Niro Plus Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, producing 77kW and 147Nm. It is matched with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, with a 104kW/265Nm total system output.

It is matched with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, sending power to the front wheels.

Energy storage in the hybrid is managed by a 240-volt lithium-ion polymer battery fitted under the rear seat. The battery has a capacity of 6.5Ah and 1.56kWh.

The Niro Plus EV features a more powerful 150kW/395Nm electric motor, with a larger 64kWh lithium-ion battery.

It delivers a WLTP-rated driving range of 427 kilometres, with 100kW fast charging support allowing for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in approximately 47 minutes.

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Safety

The Kia Niro Plus is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2016. This rating applies to the hybrid variant only.

It has a 91 per cent score for adult occupant protection, 80 per cent for children, 70 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 81 per cent for safety assist.

Seven airbags (dual front, side, curtain, and driver’s knee) feature across the range.

Each variant includes the following active safety equipment as standard:

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Dimensions

The Kia Niro Plus has a wheelbase of 2700 millimetres, and is 4385mm long, 1805mm wide and 1640mm tall.

This is 10mm longer and 80mm taller than the first-generation Niro, but 33mm shorter and 20mm narrower than the second-generation model.

It has claimed 397-litre boot capacity, expanding to 1497L with the second-row folded.

Warranty and servicing

As per the wider Kia range, the Niro Plus is covered by the brand's seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, along with a complimentary one-year roadside assistance program. This can be extended for up to eight years through annual servicing at a Kia dealership.

Maintenance for the hybrid is required every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, whichever occurs first. Pre-paid service plans are available for the EV variant.

For the hybrid, capped-price servicing is available for seven years, with costs dependent on the service interval.

Availability

The 2023 Kia Niro Plus will arrive in Australian showrooms in the coming weeks, with the allocation for the remainder of 2022 sold out.