Kia redesigns all-new Niro into one funky crossover

Ever since Kia rebranded, the design of their vehicles has looked very aggressive and futuristic. From the Carnival to their new EV6, and more recently the new Sportage, the designs are now far from the conservative styling before. It's the same with the South Korean automaker's newest model – the 2022 Niro.

The second-generation Niro completely ditches the rounded shape of its predecessor. Instead, it's heavily inspired by the 2019 HabaNiro EV concept and adopts a more crossover-like design. For starters, the Tiger Nose grille has been redesigned, now featuring a thin strip spanning the width of the front. Below the grill are the large headlight units with the “heartbeat” LED daytime running lights. The bumper features a mouth-like intake and an integrated skid plate.

Black cladding then runs from the bumper and along the wheel arches, stopping just before the rear wheels. A thick C-pillar trim in matte black extends down to the rear wheel arches, giving the 2022 Niro a somewhat two-tone look. At the rear, there are thin vertical LED taillights that extend to the roof. However, those are the brake lights alone. The turn signals and reverse lights are separate and can be found on the rear bumper.

Step inside, and the cabin of the 2022 Niro is similar to modern Kia vehicles. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment are combined into one big display. No shift lever here; in its place is a dial shifter in the middle of the center console. There's also a mix of physical- and touch-sensitive buttons all around. Interestingly, Kia fitted a two-spoke steering wheel rather than the typical three-spoke design.

The highlight of the new Niro's interior isn't about the design, it's the material used. The crossover uses recycled material all around the cabin. According to the automaker, the headliner is made from recycled wallpaper while the seats are from Bio PU with Tencel from eucalypts leaves. Even the paint on the door panels is BTX free to minimize the impact on the environment.

Kia did not reveal full powertrain details yet, but it will be available as a hybrid-electric (HEV) and a pure-electric vehicle. That's according to the plates on the vehicles shown here.

Kia Philippines does not offer the Niro locally. But with an all-new model revealed, do you think they should? Share your opinions below.