Skip to main content

Kia’s 50-mpg Niro crossover anticipates hills to save fuel

Kia has traveled to the Chicago Auto Show to introduce a hybrid crossover called Niro.

The 2017 Niro is a heavily toned-down version of the eponymous concept that was presented to the public at the 2013 edition of the Frankfurt Auto Show. It adopts sharp headlights, a rippled hood, and a thin rendition of Kia’s trademarked Tiger-nose grille, but it predictably ditches the concept’s sporty, two-door body style in favor of a more family-friendly four-door setup. All told, the Niro’s front end bears more than a passing resemblance to the brand new Sportage, and Kia prides itself on having designed an eco-friendly crossover that doesn’t scream, “Hey, I’m driving a hybrid!”

Recommended Videos

The Niro is nonetheless built on a brand new platform developed specifically to underpin electrified models, and it’s powered by a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain made up of a 1.6-liter Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder engine and a small electric motor integrated into a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Combined, the two power sources generate 146 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, and they allow the Niro to return 50 mpg in a mixed cycle. For comparison, the Toyota Prius — the poster child of the hybrid segment for nearly two decades — is rated at 52 mpg in a mixed cycle.

50 mpg was attained by using lightweight components such as aluminum body panels to lower the Niro’s weight. To further boost efficiency, the Niro relies on a new technology called Predictive Energy Control that works with the navigation and cruise control systems to detect topographical changes such as hills in the road ahead. It then uses the information gathered to decide when to recharge the lithium-ion polymer battery pack and when to send the electricity to the drive wheels.

While pictures of the cabin haven’t been published yet, Kia promises the Niro benefits from a seven-inch touch screen that runs the latest evolution of its UVO infotainment system. Buyers in need of additional peace of mind can order the soft-roader with electronic driving aids including a blind-spot detection system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and autonomous emergency braking.

The 2017 Kia Niro will go on sale nationwide before the end of the year, and an even more efficient plug-in hybrid model will be added to the lineup a little later in the production run.

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
Electric Muscle Misfire? Dodge Pulls Charger Daytona R/T from 2026 Lineup
electric muscle misfire dodge pulls charger daytona r t from 2026 lineup all new

The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, once hailed as the vanguard of Dodge’s electric muscle car future, is being dropped for the 2026 model year.
According to a report from MoparInsiders, the Scat Pack variant will now lead the Daytona lineup, marking a significant pivot in Stellantis’ EV strategy.
Originally introduced with bold ambitions, the Charger Daytona R/T was designed to offer an accessible gateway into electric performance. With its 456-horsepower dual-motor setup and optional 509-horsepower Direct Connection stage kit, it seemed poised to excite both muscle car fans and EV newcomers. However, market realities have painted a different picture.
Industry and media reports highlight the core issue: buyers just weren’t biting. Despite its impressive specs and nostalgic design cues, the R/T struggled to justify its price tag, starting near $60,000. At that level, buyers expected either more performance or more premium features. Without strong sales traction, Dodge made the tough call to shelve the R/T variant for 2026, opting instead to focus on trims that resonate better with customers.
As we reported in December, the Charger EV was launched with an off-beat marketing message to “save the planet from self-driving sleep pods.” The goal was to retain Dodge’s brand identity—muscle, aggression, and driver engagement—even in the electric era. The Charger Daytona R/T was supposed to be the perfect balance of price and performance, but it seems the target audience wasn’t ready to make that leap at that price.
Importantly, this doesn’t spell the end of the Charger Daytona altogether. Higher-performance models like the Scat Pack and Banshee are still in the pipeline and, interestingly, are being adjusted for price competitiveness. Several trims are reportedly seeing price cuts, suggesting Stellantis is serious about making these vehicles more appealing and accessible.
For enthusiasts, the takeaway is clear: the electric muscle car isn’t going anywhere, but automakers are still figuring out how to sell it. The demise of the R/T is less a failure and more a recalibration—proof that even the boldest plans need to stay flexible in the face of consumer demand.

Read more
The all-electric Cadillac Vistiq makes the Escalade redundant
2026 Cadillac Vistiq front-quarter view.

Cadillac wants a full lineup of electric vehicles, and it’s nearly there. It has a standard crossover SUV (the Lyriq), an entry-level model (the Optiq), an electric version of its flagship Escalade (the Escalade IQ), and even a baroque showpiece (the Celestiq). But something’s missing.

For a modern luxury brand, a midsize three-row crossover is key. Customers for whom a Toyota Highlander is too déclassé need something to take their kids to lacrosse practice, but may not want something as big as an Escalade. This isn’t the most exciting design brief, and that’s reflected in the gasoline Cadillac XT6, which has always felt like nothing more than a placeholder. Its new electric counterpart, the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq, is anything but.

Read more
With the Ioniq 9, Hyundai struggles to clear its own high bar
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 front quarter view.

Hyundai has used the clean-sheet nature of electric powertrains to make new vehicles radically different from its internal-combustion models, but what happens when the best thing a new car can be is ordinary? The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a three-row SUV that, to succeed, needs to prioritize space and an effortless ownership experience over radical styling or sports-car driving dynamics. That doesn’t leave much room for creativity, but Hyundai has done its best by giving the Ioniq 9 futuristic styling combined with the proven E-GMP dedicated EV platform from its other Ioniq models and the Kia EV9.  The enthusiastic response to the EV9, from Hyundai’s sibling brand, shows why, despite having two gasoline three-row SUVs in its lineup already, Hyundai needed an all-electric one as well.

Another daring design from Hyundai

Read more