The all-new 2017 Kia Niro is classified as a compact hybrid crossover SUV, though it really functions more like a hatchback. Your view of the road is marginally higher because of the Niro's elevated stance, but Kia doesn't offer the Niro with all-wheel drive, so don't expect to be a snow-busting trailblazer in bad weather. The Niro's core appeal comes from its traditional exterior design (no "hybrid!" shouting here) as well as a new powertrain that is capable of returning up to an EPA-estimated 50 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
Pros: Impressive fuel economy from the base trim model Six-speed transmission shifts like a conventional car's One of the more affordable hybrids in the segment Batteries are hidden under the rear seat and don't affect cargo space
Cons: All-wheel drive isn't offered despite the crossover styling Smaller cargo space compared to some rival models The Niro's Touring trim sacrifices some fuel efficiency
By calling it a crossover, the Korean brand also wants to get in the minds of the consumer wanting more utility. We all know crossover sales are booming, and part of their likeability is their higher ride height and boxy, useable interior space. But after spending a full day driving the Niro in Texas Hill Country, the question stuck in my head was whether it is really a crossover. The Niro is just 3.3 inches taller and has the same ground clearance as the Hyundai Ioniq, which it shares its platform with. And in terms of passenger volume, the Niro has only a small advantage, encasing 97.1 cubic feet versus the Ioniq’s 96.2 cubic feet. Although its two-box design might help its case for being a crossover, I suspect most will just see it as a lifted hatchback.
You shouldn’t have any nasty surprises, either. Kia was rated as above average in our most recent reliability survey and the Niro also gets a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty – a class-leading feature.
Pros: Low CO2 emissions Spacious interior Long warranty
Cons: More conventional rivals are cheaper Not much fun to drive Firm low speed ride
Compact crossovers are seriously hot property right now, and the Mokka should find plenty of happy punters, who’ll appreciate the commanding driving position and rough-and-tumble looks, plus the distinctly un-SUV-like running costs.
But the Mokka isn’t a keen driver’s cup of tea, and its diesel engine, though frugal, is disappointingly coarse when you give it the beans. Still, if you’re after a well-equipped kid-friendly runabout that cuts a dash above simple supermini-dom, the Mokka should suit your daily grind. And look, we only made three coffee-themed jibes about the name in the end.
We’ll let the Mokka moniker lie – no coffee puns here, thank you. Styling-wise, the bluff little Mokka is appealing in the metal, marrying supermini cuteness with an air of chunky pugnaciousness, like a more grown-up Fiat Panda 4x4. Following the shamelessly trendy Adam city car, rakish Astra GTC and new soft-top Cascada, it’s good to see Vauxhall’s designers stringing together a run of handsome cars.
There are many good mini-SUVs on the market. The Mokka isn’t one of them. We advise a trip to a Skoda dealership.
Vauxhall’s first foray into the mini-SUV market, one currently dominated by the Skoda Yeti and Nissan’s Juke and Qashqai. The Mokka falls somewhere between the latter two in terms of size, and serves up a high-riding driving position and styling optimistically described as ‘chunky’.
Like the Qashqai, it’s available in two- and four-wheel drive, the latter offering enough off-road performance to conquer a muddy field or two, which we suspect will be about the extent of the Mokka’s non-tarmac follies. There’s an entry-level 1.6-litre petrol, a fizzier 1.4-litre turbo petrol and a single diesel offering: Vauxhall’s familiar 1.7-litre CDTi developing 130bhp.
A new engine can transform an ageing car, and while the Vauxhall Mokka diesel has improved, it hasn’t received the new lease of life it needed. The 1.6-litre is refined, punchy and efficient, but allied with a rather dull driving experience. It’s a safe and affordable family car, but one you’d choose with your head rather than your heart.
Look as hard as you like at the pictures, but you won’t identify any cosmetic changes to this Vauxhall Mokka from its predecessor. Peek beneath the bonnet, however, and you’ll find a new 135bhp 1.6-litre ‘whisper diesel’ engine borrowed from the Astra.
It replaces the current 1.7 CDTi and joins the two petrol units in the Mokka range, immediately making a strong case for itself as the engine of choice.
Not only is it quicker and more refined than the outgoing 1.7, it’s more flexible and considerably more economical than both petrol versions. Our Limited Edition model came with 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, which emphasise the mini-SUV proportions yet do nothing for ride comfort. They deliver unwelcome thuds through the cabin that could upset passengers. Around town, the light steering is welcome (most owners won’t worry that it relays no information back to the driver), while body roll is evident in slightly faster corners.
