As a refresher, the EV was imposingly large, stretching at 4,930 millimeters (194 inches) long, 2,055 mm (81 in) wide, and 1,790 mm (70 in) tall, with an extended wheelbase measuring 3,100 mm (122 in). Sadly, the new press release issued this week doesn’t contain any additional information about what will be a sister model of the Hyundai Ioniq 7. Later, a more upscale equivalent from Genesis should hit the market.

We will remind you Kia mentioned the Concept EV9 had an unspecified battery pack to cover 300 miles (483 kilometers) between charges. The electric showcar from LA was touted as having support for a maximum charging power of 350 kW. Consequently, the South Korean brand said juicing up the battery from 10 to 80 percent could be achieved in as little as half an hour or even less.

The concept’s exterior is unlikely to change too much on the road to production, but the fancy cabinis unlikely to be this high-tech for the road-going model. The Concept EV9 had a giant 27-inch screen along with a lounge-like configuration by changing the seat layout. The second row transformed into a table while the driver and front passenger were able to face the third-row occupants thanks to swiveling front seats.

Chances are the EV9 will arrive in the United States for the 2024 model year and we’d wager it’s going to set you back approximately $50,000. That seems like an educated guess considering the EV6 begins at $40,900 MSRP before any applicable EV-related incentives.

Source: Kia

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Leading the way will be the EV9, a large SUV previewed last year by a namesake concept. It’ll be about five meters long and will aim to provide approximately 540 kilometers (336 miles) of range on a single charge. Thanks to fast-charging capabilities, juicing up the battery for just six minutes will provide the vehicle with a range of 62 miles (100 kilometers).

Despite being large and heavy, the EV9’s dual motors will enable a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) run in five seconds. We also get to learn it will be the first model from Kia to support over-the-air (OTA) updates as well as feature on demand (FoD) services. The latter will allow owners to access functions by paying a subscription or a one-time fee to unlock functions. The EV9 will also be the firm’s first vehicle to benefit from the AutoMode autonomous driving system.

Interestingly, Kia confirms two of the new EVs will be pickups – one riding on a dedicated platform and a cheaper truck likely based on an architecture for combustion-engined cars that will be sold in emerging markets. In addition, an entry-level electric vehicle was confirmed today to arrive within the next five years.

In the long run, Kia wants to reach annual EV sales of 1.2 million by the end of the decade or 30% of its global sales. The vast majority of sales (80%) are projected to come from Europe, China, North America, and Korea where the brand estimates EVs will account for a 45% share of its total sales. Midsize electric SUVs and pickups will be produced in the United States from 2024. Small and medium-sized electric cars will enter production in Europe from 2025.

Also set to hit the assembly line in 2025 will be midsize EVs and an entry-level model in India. Before all of these arrive, Kia will commence production of midsize EVs in China from next year. At the same time, the company is upgrading its battery production output and wants to boost battery energy density by 50% by 2030 while reducing costs by 40%.

Source: Kia

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As a reminder, the all-electric Niro has a 64.8-kWh battery pack providing juice to an electric motor pumping out 201 hp (150 kW) and 188 lb-ft (255 Nm) as its predecessor. Even if that figure will remain unchanged, it will still significantly come down in North America where EPA’s rating is considerably more realistic. As a refresher, the old electric crossover has an official WLTP rating of 455 km (283 miles) while its American cousin can cover 385 km (239 miles).

Should the estimated number provided by Kia Sweden remain unchanged for the WLTP rating, it would bring a minor bump in the range of 8 kilometers (5 miles). Yes, it’s not much but still better than nothing.

Elsewhere, the 2022 Niro Plug-In Hybrid is listed with a maximum electric range of 37 miles (60 kilometers) courtesy of its 11.1-kWh battery. The pack is actually a tad bigger than before (8.9 kWh), but as is the case with the EV model, the range is provisional rather than a confirmed WLTP rating.

You’ll want the purely electric version if practicality is a priority since the Niro EV can hold 495 liters of cargo, provided you include the front trunk with its 20-liter capacity. As for the PHEV model, it can store up to 451 liters. By extending the wheelbase to 2,720 mm, Kia has made the cabin more spacious in terms of legroom for rear passengers.

Kia will sell the 2022 Niro in Sweden in Action, Advance, and Advance Plus trim levels. Pricing kicks off at 334,400 kr (about $35,500) for the standard non-PHEV hybrid and rises to 543,900 kr ($57,700) for the EV in the top trim.

Source: Kia Sweden

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The fifth-gen Sportage draws its necessary juice from a lithium-polymer battery pack with a capacity of 13.8 kWh. Power is provided by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 1.6-liter displacement and 177 hp on tap. The combustion mill is teamed up with an electric motor good for 66.9 kilowatts and works together with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Joining the regular hybrid version, the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV will be available in either the X-Line or the X-Line Prestige trim levels. Both get offroad-inspired visual tweaks such as beefier front and rear bumpers featuring chrome accents. It rides on 19-inch alloys with a glossy black design complemented by the window surrounds, roof rack, and side mirror caps – all of which are also finished in glossy black.

Kia will sell the 2023 Sportage PHEV bundled with a 7.2 kW onboard charger, which will fully replenish the battery in around two hours provided you’ll be using a level 2 charger. As standard equipment, the electrified crossover boasts an Integrated Electronic Brake with regenerative braking said to be more efficient compared to segment rivals.

It’s worth pointing out the plug-in hybrid model gets all-wheel drive as standard, along with a plethora of safety kit. From Lane Following Assist and Forward Collision Avoidance to LED headlights (with high-beam assist) and Blind Spot Collision Avoidance, the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV is loaded with safety and driver assistance goodies.

Kia plans to have the Sportage PHEV on sale in the United States from Q3 2022, with pricing to be announced closer to its market launch. For reference, the Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid begins at $34,900 for the SEL trim and from $42,700 if you opt for the better-equipped Limited.

Source: Kia

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In addition, customers can pick from a rear-wheel-drive version with a single electric motor or the more potent dual-motor setup coming along with AWD. Stick with the base Light RWD model and you’ll have 167 horsepower on tap and the smaller battery, while the Wind RWD and GT-Line RWD up the power ante to 225 hp and get the bigger pack.  The range-topping dual-motor available as the Wind AWD and GT-Line AWD offer a substantial 320 hp.

Trim Levels/Pricing – MSRP: (excludes $1,215 destination and the $7,500 federal tax credit)

If you’re more interested in range rather than output, you’ll want to combine RWD with the 77.4-kWh since the Wind RWD and GT-Line RWD are estimated to go for 310 miles on a single charge. The Wind AWD and GT-Line AWD are up next with 274 miles, while the entry-level Light RWD makes do with 232 miles between charges.

The 2022 Kia EV6 features bidirectional charging, thus allowing owners to transform their electric crossovers into mobile power sources courtesy of the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function. The South Korean brand says it will have its first dedicated EV in dealerships across the United States in the coming weeks.

Aside from the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit, the zero-emission crossover may qualify for additional state incentives, thus further bringing down the asking price. Factoring in only the federal electric vehicle tax credit and the mandatory $1,215 destination, the most attainable EV6 will set you back $34,615.

Source: Kia

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Being a North America-bound Niro, it comes as no surprise it has the mandatory orange side markers in the headlights. You can also notice the US-spec license plate and the fact Kia is sticking to those unusually low mounted rear turn signals. The revamped crossover wears the fresh corporate badge and appears to be the non-plug-in hybrid version since that will be the first to go on sale. The PHEV and purely electric derivative will arrive at a later date.

Despite looking radically new both inside and out, the 2023 Kia Niro is not an all-new vehicle. It still packs 139 horsepower from a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor. The crossover gets a dual-clutch, six-speed automatic gearbox and will be offered exclusively with front-wheel drive.

Not only has the power rating been carried over, but so has the drag coefficient of 0.29 despite the massive design changes and the increased footprint. Compared to the model it replaces, the new Niro is 65 millimeters (2.5 inches) longer, 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) wider, and 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) taller.

In addition, the wheelbase has been stretched by 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) for greater rear passenger legroom. The significant jump in size will also pay dividends in terms of practicality by being able to carry an extra 15 liters behind the rear seats, now with a total volume of 451 liters.

South Korea will be the first market to get the 2023 Niro this month, with global regions – including the US – to follow before the end of the year.

Source: KindelAuto / YouTube

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The folks over at km77 have managed to get a hold of the brand-new Kia EV6, specifically a rear-wheel-drive version in the GT-Line specification. The electric crossover came equipped with 20-inch wheels wrapped in Continental ContiPremiumContact tires measuring 225/45, which helped the EV ace the moose test many automakers are afraid of.

With the regenerative braking completely off, the Kia EV6 entered swerved through the cones impressively and took down only three of them. Mind you, the zero-emissions crossover entered the area at 80 km/h (50 mph), which is slightly higher than the usual entrance speed. The South Korean model responded accurately to the driver’s inputs and he says he felt safe throughout the procedure.

After turning on regenerative braking to level two (out of a maximum of four), the latest Kia EV excelled in the moose test without taking down any cones. The regenerative braking kicked in to slow the vehicle down like it happens when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal in a car equipped with a combustion engine.

Another test conducted by km77 with no regenerative braking ended with the Kia EV6 smashing just one cone thanks to the car’s sharp steering and the firm suspension setup. It also aced the slalom test without the ESC kicking in, which is quite remarkable as the vehicle was doing around 70 km/h (43 mph).

As a final note, chances are the range-topping GT version should perform even better thanks to a front-mounted electric motor giving the crossover an all-wheel-drive setup and therefore better traction on any surface.

Source: km77.com / YouTube

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The major difference between the HEV and EV is noticeable at the front where the latter has a closed-off “tiger nose” grille incorporating the charging port mounted right in the center. As a reminder, the outgoing zero-emissions Niro can be recharged by using the port mounted to the right of the grille. It will be interesting to see where the PHEV will have it considering the charging port on the old one was mounted in the front fender.

One interesting feature we did not notice in the official images is the functional side vent behind the contrasting panel mounted on the rear pillar to improve airflow and make the Niro even more efficient. Speaking of that quirky panel, we are honestly hoping Kia will also sell the 2022 Niro with the C-pillar finished in the same color as the rest of the body as this appearance is just too striking for out tastes.

While the HEV model featured on video sits on 18-inch wheels wrapped around in 225/45 tires, the EV uses smaller 17-inch alloys covered in 215/55 rubber. The YouTuber wasn’t allowed to take a peek inside, but official images show a dashboard design quite similar to that of the EV6 as well as the latest Sportage.

Technical specifications are still shrouded in mystery, although Kia is expected to disclose all the juicy details in the coming weeks or months seeing as how the new Niro will go on sale in the first half of 2022.

Source: Asian Petrolhead / YouTube

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The new Niro takes inspiration in terms of design from the 2019 HabaNiro, a funky concept car from which it has inherited the two-tone body paint with the C-pillar finished in a different color for a contrasting effect. It also borrows the boomerang-shaped taillights from the concept, along with the unusual LED daytime running light signature at the front.

The similarities don’t end here as even the Y-spoke design of the alloy wheels is derived from the HabaNiro, along with the general shape of the tailgate and the roof-mounted spoiler. Of course, the production model has eschewed the concept’s scissor doors and side cameras in favor of traditional front and rear doors along with old-school mirrors.

Stepping inside the cabin, it’s another revolution since the 2022 Niro is entirely different on the inside compared to the model it will replace. It uses Kia’s latest screen setup with two large fully digital displays sitting next to one another, serving as the instrument cluster joined on the right side by the infotainment in the same vein as on the latest Sportage.

It has a fancy new two-spoke steering wheel proudly carrying Kia’s revised corporate logo, while the bulky gear lever of the old Niro made way for a much more compact dial surrounded by traditional buttons. The HVAC controls have (thankfully) not been integrated into the touchscreen as you still have a separate module in the middle of the center console.

The interior has been conceived with sustainability in mind by using Bio PU with Tencel from eucalyptus leaves for the seat upholstery along with recycled wallpaper for the headliner. Not only that, but the 2022 Kia Niro uses BTX paint (made without toluene, benzene, and xylene isomers) for the door panels. A nifty little feature is the coat hanger on the back of the front headrests, which both feature a slim design to make the cabin feel more spacious.

The next-gen Niro is scheduled to go on sale next year, with technical specs to be disclosed closer to its launch.

Source: Kia

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It’s expected to use the underpinnings of a combustion car once again and should come in the three familiar flavors: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric. Debuting this Thursday at the Seoul Mobility Show in South Korea, the next-gen Niro is being previewed by Kia courtesy of four rather substantial teaser images showing the C-segment crossover both inside and out. The cabin takes after the EV6 with a pair of screens while retaining separate climate controls. Even the two-spoke steering wheel appears to be borrowed from the E-GMP-based electric crossover.

Stepping outside of the vehicle, it’s fairly easy to notice the 2022 Niro will take after the interesting HabaNiro concept unveiled a little over two years ago. Kia confirms that will be the case, and despite the shadowy images, it’s easy to notice the headlights and taillights are heavily inspired by those of the concept car.

Conventional door handles at the front and rear indicate the road-going Niro will drop the spectacular scissor front doors of the HabaNiro and will also receive rear doors for better practicality. The redesigned corporate badge has already been installed in the outgoing model and it’s visible here as well. When the wraps will come off, the exterior appearance should represent a great departure from the current model by bringing some of the excitement we saw on the concept.

Details about the changes made underneath the skin are not available at this point, although some say it will use an evolution of the existing platform with changes made to improve efficiency. The Euro-spec Kia Niro in a fully electric guise is said to hit the 300-mile mark in terms of WLTP-certified range, which would represent an increase of 18 miles compared to the outgoing generation.

In addition, reports state the 39-kWh battery will be dropped in most markets as Kia will primarily sell the 2022 Niro with only the larger pack – a 64-kWh battery in the case of the outgoing electric crossover. That will also bring more standard power since the existing Niro has only 132 hp with the smaller battery while the larger pack ups the power ante to 201 hp.

We will have all the details on November 25 when the official premiere is slated to take place.

Source: Kia

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