The redesign SUV will be available for purchase in 2022.
The redesigned Hyundai Niro isn’t hiding. It was first revealed to the public in November 2021. However, it took several months for Kia to finally release vehicle specifications. The reveal was also based in South Korea. A second US debut has not yet occurred.
We share this video of the Niro being photographed in public. This particular sighting is from California, near Kia’s design centre. It’s believed that it’s a US-spec model. However, you shouldn’t expect significant visual or other differences. The exterior styling is the same, but if you look closely, you will see an amber reflector at the corner of each headlight housing. This is American life.
The rear is also captured in the video. Here, the boomerang high mount taillights remind us of the HabaNiro concept. We see that there is a second set of lights below the bumper. The red sections are reflectors. However, a strip amber LEDs comes to life to act as turn signals. The signals appear to be only low enough that the boomerangs are left for brake and taillight lights. We hope that the low-mount turn signals will still be visible to drivers of higher-riding vehicles from a safe distance.
It is not clear yet what powertrains and Kia will offer for the 2023 Niro. The automaker has not yet shared details about the standard-issue hybrid. It still uses a 1.6-liter engine and electric assist to produce a combined 139 horsepower (104 megawatts). The plug-in hybrid and full EV versions of the hybrid are expected to arrive later. However, this is not confirmed.
We anticipate that Kia will hold an official US debut of the Niro in 2022’s first quarter. The model will launch later for 2023.