Welcome to the Kia Niro forum! We discuss all models of the Niro, including the Hybrid, PHEV and EV versions. We are glad you stopped by. Feel free to browse the various topics, along with out FAQs. To enable posting, you need to register for a user account. There is no cost for this. Just click in the upper right corner where it says Login/Join. We look forward to your continued parcipitation.

KIA Niro PHEV to have less Trunk Space?

14789 Views 19 Replies 14 Participants Last post by jmurphEV, Jul 27, 2018

howie411

Discussion Starter · Sep 11, 2017

So according to this article:

Kia Niro PHEV plug-in hybrid added to range | Carbuyer

"To enable the high-capacity battery to be fitted, the PHEV has a smaller petrol tank than the regular hybrid – down from 45 to 43 litres. Boot space is also reduced, from 427 to 324 litres."

I don't know how those measurements compare in US measurements to the current space in a Hybrid Niro, but a drop in over 100 seems like a lot of lost space.

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

fernando

· #2 · Sep 11, 2017

The smaller gas tank is only like a 25 mile gas range loss, so it's abut the same with the additional battery size.

It's about 4100 more expensive than the most expensive regular niro build. But with the federal tax credit and potential california rebate, if it's renewed, it could potentially be much cheaper.

fernando

· #3 · Sep 11, 2017

Here is the info so far from Kia USA. It appears the car will only come with the 16 inch rims and will come in 3 trims, LX, EX, and EX Premium.
https://www.kia.com/us/en/content/vehicles/upcoming-vehicles/2018-niro-plug-in-hybrid

A picture of the rear in the plug in vs the regular. It looks like you loose the right storage and maybe the under compartment, but overall, it looks about the same.

See less See more

2

Reactions: 1

alannyny

· #4 · Sep 11, 2017

fernando said:
It's about 4100 more expensive than the most expensive regular niro build.

Where do you see US pricing for the PHEV? I'm most interested in knowing the trim-for-trim upcharge for the Plug-In ... specifically for the lowest trim level.

fernando

· #5 · Sep 11, 2017

alannyny said:
Where do you see US pricing for the PHEV? I'm most interested in knowing the trim-for-trim upcharge for the Plug-In ... specifically for the lowest trim level.

I forgot to mention that the price difference was in the UK. Prices for US trims are not currently known.

Reactions: 1

morestuff

· #6 · Jan 25, 2018

Niro PHEV cargo space, no place for a spare tire

Got my Niro plug-in a few days ago.

Cargo space appears to be almost the same. There is a small bump in the passenger side panel of the cargo area where you can access the accessory battery in its new location compared to the regular hybrid.

The big surprise was that they filled the spare tire well under the cargo floor with a lithium battery. I had thought that this battery was supposed to be under the rear seat. I was about to pull the trigger to order a spare tire kit. Luckily I actually looked first.

howie411 said:
So according to this article:

Kia Niro PHEV plug-in hybrid added to range | Carbuyer

"To enable the high-capacity battery to be fitted, the PHEV has a smaller petrol tank than the regular hybrid – down from 45 to 43 litres. Boot space is also reduced, from 427 to 324 litres."

I don't know how those measurements compare in US measurements to the current space in a Hybrid Niro, but a drop in over 100 seems like a lot of lost space.

Chis2k

· #7 · Jan 25, 2018

morestuff said:
Got my Niro plug-in a few days ago.

Cargo space appears to be almost the same. There is a small bump in the passenger side panel of the cargo area where you can access the accessory battery in its new location compared to the regular hybrid.

The big surprise was that they filled the spare tire well under the cargo floor with a lithium battery. I had thought that this battery was supposed to be under the rear seat. I was about to pull the trigger to order a spare tire kit. Luckily I actually looked first.

Congrats on the PHEV. I have a few questions: Aside from Tesla stations...have you run into any compatibility issues with charging stations? What connector is used?

Also: Here in Chicago...it's cold in winter and hot in summer. Does it pay to run PHEV if climate control affects the EV mode? I'm so close to making a decision but need to know so I can decide between PHEV or Hybrid

morestuff

· #8 · Jan 26, 2018

I have not been using public charging stations since the Kia supplied Level 1 charger will fully charge the PHEV overnight. Electric range is 26 miles, more than enough for my daily usage.

To the best of my knowledge, there are Tesla style charging stations, and then there are all the other Level 2 units which conform to the same US industry standard. There may be differences in available charging rates, but the charging interface standard provides for automatic adaptation to the different rates. PHEVs do not use or need the high speed DC Level 3 chargers since their batteries are smaller than EV only vehicles.

In the Niro, cabin heat always comes from the gasoline engine. No electric heat other than the heated seats and steering wheel if you have those options. I find the seat heater faster than cabin heat and more useful on my short commute.

The A/C cooling compressor is electrically driven, so running in HEV mode simply helps keep the battery topped off. Again, for my short commute topping off the battery is not needed and I intend to run in EV mode most of the time.

See less See more

yticolev

· #9 · Jan 26, 2018

Chis2k said:
Here in Chicago...it's cold in winter and hot in summer. Does it pay to run PHEV if climate control affects the EV mode? I'm so close to making a decision but need to know so I can decide between PHEV or Hybrid

Really, anyone's personal decision depends on their daily mileage. If it is less than 20 miles (which might be pushing EV range in the winter), or less than 40 because you can charge at work, it will work for you. A plug in that can pre-condition the climate might be better suited for you. I'd think the Niro PHEV would be appealing in more temperate climates than Chicago. If you had a heated garage, the Niro might work for you.

NNolan

· #10 · Jan 28, 2018

morestuff said:
Got my Niro plug-in a few days ago.

Cargo space appears to be almost the same. There is a small bump in the passenger side panel of the cargo area where you can access the accessory battery in its new location compared to the regular hybrid.

The big surprise was that they filled the spare tire well under the cargo floor with a lithium battery. I had thought that this battery was supposed to be under the rear seat. I was about to pull the trigger to order a spare tire kit. Luckily I actually looked first.

Oh crap. I just negotiated a lease on a 2018 Plug-In, but I haven't picked up the car yet. It never occurred to me that it wouldn't come with an emergency donut. I'm on my 4th set of tires in 8 years on an AWD Honda CR-V (one of the reasons I'm trading it, the other is sucky mpgs) and being without even that tiny bit of security is just tempting fate. Maybe I'll get the one for the regular Niro anyway and let it sit in the hatch behind the back seats. It's not like I'll keep much back there except a pile of reusable grocery bags anyway.

I knew this car was too good to be true...

fernando

· #11 · Jan 28, 2018

I'd like to know:

1) Does it have a sunroof?

2) Did you compare LED lights to HIDs, if so, was there a difference?

3) Did you compare the center display to the display in the regular niro, it's suppose to be a tad bigger, if so, what are your thoughts?

amaterB

· #12 · Feb 3, 2018

trunk depth (height)

Hi,

I'm really eager to know whether the PHEV is worth waiting for (should come to Slovenia in a few months), and our family needs a decent trunk size. The non-PHEVs here (already being sold) actually have a deeper trunk, like this: http://www.autocar.co.nz/_Reviews/Cars/Kia Niro 2016/gallery/010 Kia Niro-boot_www.jpg
The floor is 17 cm below the bottom of the trunk door opening and approximately 55 cm below the roll-up cover. Under the floor there's only a tyre-shaped undercompartment, plain uncovered metal.

Could someone with a PHEV please:
-measure these two heights?
-check whether there is any usable space below the floor?

Best,
Marjan.

See less See more

amaterB

· #13 · Mar 22, 2018

Replying to myself for info to others: I have seen & measured the PHEV (available here now). The trunk is about 12 cm shallower than on the hybrid (see above), below the floor there is only a very small storage area (for the tyre kit, hopefully the cable would also fit but didn't check).

NorCalNiro

· #14 · Jun 9, 2018

I compared both the hybrid and PHEV 2 days ago, yesterday i decided on the plug-in. The difference in trunk size is negligible vs to the Ford C-MAX energi and hybrid. the Energi has significantly less space. The Plug-in cable does in fact fit under the rear floor storage compartment (w/o the storage bag)

Source: Kia Website

See less See more

Reactions: 1

sasglm

· #15 · Jun 18, 2018

i was a little disappointed that my golf clubs won't fit sideways in the trunk, a little diagonal shift and they will, so about 42in wide is all you get.

marcel_g

· #16 · Jun 19, 2018

sasglm said:
i was a little disappointed that my golf clubs won't fit sideways in the trunk, a little diagonal shift and they will, so about 42in wide is all you get.

Is 42" the size of the hatch opening, or the width of the cargo space?

thanks,
m

NorCalNiro

· #17 · Jul 26, 2018

Chis2k said:
Congrats on the PHEV. I have a few questions: Aside from Tesla stations...have you run into any compatibility issues with charging stations? What connector is used?

Also: Here in Chicago...it's cold in winter and hot in summer. Does it pay to run PHEV if climate control affects the EV mode? I'm so close to making a decision but need to know so I can decide between PHEV or Hybrid

The car uses a J1772 plug, standard EV plug here in the U.S. Its limited to 16amps at 220v (3.3kw) so virtually any EVSE will work with the car. Recharge time is 2.5 hours at 220v and around 7.5 with the supplied L1 EVSE (12amp at 110v)

In cold weather the EV range is not affected, the engine will run at idle for the heater. So minimal fuel consumption but you can still get 24-26miles of EV range with moderate accelerator use. Hammering the pedal will engage the engine regardless of battery state of charge (SOC).

charlesH

· #18 · Jul 26, 2018

Chis2k said:
Congrats on the PHEV. I have a few questions: Aside from Tesla stations...have you run into any compatibility issues with charging stations? What connector is used?

Also: Here in Chicago...it's cold in winter and hot in summer. Does it pay to run PHEV if climate control affects the EV mode? I'm so close to making a decision but need to know so I can decide between PHEV or Hybrid

In EV mode the PHEV consumes about 20 KW for the motor and 0.5 KW for the AC. Using the AC will not affect the range very much. A few percent is all.

egmacrae

· #19 · Jul 27, 2018

It takes some finess to get the charging cable to fit in the little compartment in back

jmurphEV

· #20 · Jul 27, 2018

Chis2k said:
Congrats on the PHEV. I have a few questions: Aside from Tesla stations...have you run into any compatibility issues with charging stations? What connector is used?

We've had our PHEV Niro since April and we've charged up as often as we can while out and about, probably 10 or so times. So far I've only run into 1 public charger that didn't have the J1772 style connector and that was in Takoma Park Md.

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.