We know what the all-new second-generation 2022 Kia Niro looks like, now here are the specs but only for the hybrid (HEV) version. The Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) and Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) will only be revealed closer to the market launch date.

As you know, the all-new Niro is redesigned from the ground up to prioritise fuel efficiency. Design cues are all aimed at achieving an impressively low drag coefficient (Cd) value of 0.29, such as the Aero C-Pillar. Don’t be mistaken, the low Cd is for fuel efficiency purposes and not for making the car go faster.

The Niro’s interior is designed to wrap around the occupants and at the same time make sure that everything is easy to reach and navigate.

Designers also made use of sharp diagonal lines to draw the eye to a 10.25-inch panoramic high-definition digital display screen that integrates both the instrument cluster and infotainment. To further elevate the calmness of the cabin, Kia offers 74 ambient lighting to choose from.

Powering the all-new Niro HEV is Kia’s Smartstream 1.6-litre four-cylinder GDI petrol engine that produces 105 PS and 144 Nm on its own.

The engine is combined with 32 kW permanent magnet synchronous electric motors that produce a combined output of 141 PS. The 1.6-litre engine is mated to a second-generation 6-speed dual-clutch transmission.

As teased earlier, the Niro HEV comes equipped with Kia’s Green Zone Drive Mode. The mode will automatically activate the electric-only drivetrain to ensure the car produces zero emission in certain environments and situations such as when it is driving by a school or residential area.

Also read: Eco-friendly for the masses, all-new 2022 Kia Niro’s designers speak up about design concept

The green zone can either be a pre-existing area determined by geo-fencing, or the driver can pre-set the system to automatically switch to the electric mode when it enters a specific area.

Kia also introduced a new smart regenerative braking system that enables drivers to choose from a series of regeneration levels to easily slow the car to recuperate kinetic energy. This will help extend the driving range when on EV mode.

For safety, the Niro comes equipped with a full suite of ADAS known as DriveWise. The system includes the usual acronym soup of Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind-spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC) just to name a few.

On top of that, there are also new systems like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) – a system that utilises cameras and navigation system to deliver warnings and adjusts the speed of the car, Safe Exit Assist (SEA) that warns passengers of approaching vehicles when exiting the car, and Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) – allows the car to park itself.

Also read: Kia Niro is coming to Malaysia in 2023, what is it and why you should get excited about it

Like we’ve mentioned, Kia has only revealed the engine specs of the Niro HEV and the range of 20.8 km the SUV can manage on one litre of petrol. We’re excited to see what is the range the Malaysia-bound Niro BEV can manage, is it as good as the electric-only Kia EV6?

Closer to home, Kia's new distributor Dinamikjaya has plans to launch all three versions of the second-generation Kia Niro on our shores as soon as 2023.