Test drive

Kia Niro Trifuel: road test of the first LPG hybrid car

We tested the South Korean manufacturer's innovative tri-fuel system fitted to the Kia Niro crossover.

by Giulia Paganoni

21 October 2024

Kia Niro Tri-Fuel: la formula che abbina ibrido e Gpl

4' min read

Key points

Kia Niro Tri-fuel innovations
Essential and innovative interiors
Opposite United Style
Driving safety systems

4' min read

The backdrop of the Langhe hills accompanied us on a test drive of a brand new version of the Kia Niro developed in collaboration with Westport Fuel System Italia/Brc, the South Korean brand's partner in Italy for 28 years. The special feature of the tri-fuel Niro is that it combines the qualities of a Full Hybrid car (Hev) with those of a LPG engine, allowing it to travel up to 1600 kilometres.

Kia Italia firmly believes in this new technology and has already announced that the brand's next models will have a Tri-Fuel version (for the Italian market).

Kia Niro Tri-Fuel: le immagini la nuova versione del crossover sud coreano
Photogallery15 foto

The Kia Niro Tri-fuel innovations

The new version of the Kia Niro represents a further technological and innovative step for the brand. As with the full hybrid version, the tri-fuel Niro is powered by a 90 hp 1.6-litre Gdi engine combined with a 43.5 hp electric motor to achieve a combined power output of 126 hp and maximum torque of 265 Nm. The battery has a capacity of 1.32 kWh and a weight of 34 kg. This system enables a range of up to 1,600 kilometres with a full tank of fuel (in the business version with 16-inch wheels), 42 litres of petrol and 40 litres of LPG. The declared combined consumption varies, depending on the version and for the WLTP cycle, from 4.4 to 6.5 l/100 km, while CO2 emissions range from 94.0 to 107.3 g/km.

This technology has been approved at the European level and there are already markets that are interested in the system.

While driving, we did not notice any annoying transitions between the engines; on the contrary, the ride was always smooth, thanks also to the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

On-board comfort is also provided by the chosen suspension: the front is MacPherson type and the rear has four multilink arms.

Essential and innovative interior

On board the tri-fuel Kia Niro we find an essential and functional environment. Great care has been taken to offer maximum space on board with the use of slim seats at the front to offer more room for rear passengers; each seat is equipped with C-type USB sockets for recharging electronic devices. The driving position is designed around the driver, the off-centre dashboard wraps around the seat and all the necessary controls are within easy reach. Two 10.25-inch screens show vehicle and navigation information, while a multi-mode touch display controls the various infotainment and heating functions, minimising distractions. Advanced voice recognition technology allows occupants to control frequently used systems such as temperature and audio settings, and with the Multi-Command system, passengers can control multiple functions with a single command. The graphics of the navigation system are unclear in old-style, but with smartphone integration little use is made of them.

A special feature of the tri-fuel version is the presence of a Brc-signed button in front of the gearstick wheel to activate and deactivate the LPG system as well as the level of fuel still in the tank.

Opposite United Style Aesthetics

Kia continues with its Opposite United philosophy that draws inspiration from the contrasts found in nature and society. In the case of the tri-fuel Niro, the design takes inspiration from nature in the choice of colours (there are eight), materials and finishes with a vision of the car looking to the future.

The exterior look is elegant and dynamic in crossover style. The generously sized C-pillar blends in with the boomerang-shaped taillights, but also acts as an airflow conveyor to increase the aerodynamic coefficient.

At the front, Kia's Tiger Face extends from the bonnet to the muscular wing. The contemporary design of the front end is complemented by the 'heartbeat' LED daytime running lights that increase safety and at the same time enhance recognisability thanks to the light signature, while a unique skid plate and specific cladding serve to enhance the vehicle's feeling of robustness. Niro's length is 4,420 mm, width 1,825 mm, height 1,545 mm and wheelbase 2,720 mm.

Three trim levels are available for this version: Business, Style and Evolution. Wheels are available in sizes from 16 to 18 inches.

Driving Safety Systems

Driving safety systems are included in Kia's DriveWise package. These include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (Fca), which watches out for collisions with other road users and pedestrians. The system warns of the risk by means of an acoustic and visual warning and, in the most dangerous cases, can intervene directly on the braking system. When approaching intersections, the use of the indicator activates the Junction Turning function. If the system emits an audible warning and the driver does not intervene, the brakes are automatically applied to avoid the potential impact.

It should also be noted that Niro's front camera and integrated navigation system work together to display the current speed limit on the road ahead. The Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (Isla) system displays the driving speed and projects a visual warning if the limit is exceeded.

The list price starts at €34,450 from which discounts for scrapping or trade-in can be subtracted. It will be possible to test-drive the new tri-fuel version of the Kia Niro on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October at dealerships.