[Dr.T]

Anyone think I will be able to get two bikes in here? A sheet of plywood or drywall? Anyone know what roof rack attachments Kia has planned for the Niro? The roof rails are already there. Maybe I should just rig up a bike carrier for the roof?

Roof rails:

 

[Alex]

You should be able to get a bike in their, but of course you'll have to dismount the front wheel to do so. At worst you'll have to dismount both wheels. Having a bike with quick release wheels will help.

 

[Neuron]

It's hard to tell the depth of the cargo space with a picture like this one but it should fit two bikes if the wheels are off. Worse comes to worse, you just lay them on their sides.

Kia will probably have roof accessories like racks and bike mounts anyways. They have it for the Sportage so they would probably have them for the Niro too.

 

[KiaJoe]

I think that Kia will definitely show a trailer or roof thing for bikes on this model eventually. it is being sold as a city to country CUV. For people who are green and enjoy adventure. Bikes totally make sense. Something like this, for example.

 

[Alex]

Or they might have a hitch system which some people might prefer, makes it easier for loading. A hitch that swings out will make it even easier to access the hatch. Hated roof mounted bike systems.

 

[Neuron]

Don't really see a hitch system of any kind in the Geneva pictures. I think the Niro's cargo space is going to be the interior and roof rack only.

 

[Alex]

Might be something they have planned for later or leaving up to aftermarket brands to fill in on, but surely there will be a demand for it, as there is with other vehicles in the segment and surrounding segments.

 

[Neuron]

don't think the aftermarket can do much if the Niro wasn't designed to pull anything. Could damage the rear of the car.

 

[Alex]

It will have some tolerance for weight out the rear and fact is it will indeed be able to handle things like hitch mounted bike rack or hitch mounted box which for the demographic buying this goes a long way.

 

[Neuron]

I looked it up and you're right, the Kia Niro Hybrid will be able to tow some things.
When it was still under camouflage, the Niro was caught towing a Picanto up a mountain of some kind so I checked the Kia site: "optional 1,300 kg towing capacity available from Q4 2016".

That's pretty substantial for a bike rack or even a tiny camper.

 

[Alex]

1,300 is quite impressive, that translates into 2800lbs. I was thinking it will be something like 1500lbs. At least Kia is going the extra mile to ensure its as versatile as it can be. Almost all boxes will be checked off at this point

 

[NiroOo]

wow

1,300 is quite impressive, that translates into 2800lbs. I was thinking it will be something like 1500lbs. At least Kia is going the extra mile to ensure its as versatile as it can be. Almost all boxes will be checked off at this point

**** that's alot ! Definitely a big bonus to me for getting this car then!

What else do you have that's checked off at this point for this car?

 

[2013Passat]

I looked it up and you're right, the Kia Niro Hybrid will be able to tow some things.
When it was still under camouflage, the Niro was caught towing a Picanto up a mountain of some kind so I checked the Kia site: "optional 1,300 kg towing capacity available from Q4 2016".

That's pretty substantial for a bike rack or even a tiny camper.

That's 2866 lbs More than most bikes and bike racks

 

[ColoNiro]

I looked at a Niro locally, to see whether a trailer hitch is offered as an option or if the underside had an appearance that suggested an aftermarket hitch might be possible. The dealer said no option for a trailer hitch. I told him that it was available on 2017 Niros in the U.K.--I saw it on a U.K. website. He did not know about this and did not seem interested so I got nowhere. But, in the USA I cannot find an option from Kia to add a trailer hitch or towing package on the Kia website. This is frustrating. Why would this be available in the U.K. and not in the USA? Looking underneath quickly was confusing. The dealer said it is a unibody and would not be possible to add an aftermarket hitch, but I think he did not really know this. However, there is a loose piece hanging in the back he said was the small LiIon battery, and that could be a problem in terms of fitting an aftermarket hitch. I am not that educated about the problems and limitations of adding an aftermarket hitch. Is there anyone else who is more knowledgeable and can comment on the aftermarket hitch prospects. The hitch is a deal-breaker for me...

 

[Jay]

You need to stop talking to that idiot dealer. Whether or not Kia offers the tow package in the US or not--the fact that it is available elsewhere means the Kia can tow. If Kia doesn't offer the tow kit in the US, the aftermarket will. If you don't want to wait, you could talk to a dealer in a country where the tow package is available and have them ship you one. The tow package is a tow bar mostly.