Production Kia Niro Teased – A Hybrid-only SUV

Kia has announced today that it will be introducing a new hybrid-only SUV called the Kia Niro at February’s 2016 Chicago Auto Show.

Although the Niro will be making its debut in the US, Kia says the Niro, by virtue of its dedicated hybrid platform, will add a ‘fresh dimension to the global compact SUV market,’ alluding to the possibility of an introduction outside of North America.

The all-new Kia Niro is the first model to be based on Kia’s new dedicated eco-car platform, and the HUV is set to achieve a sub-90 g/km CO2 emissions rating (combined, based on the New European Driving Cycle) thanks to its all-new downsized gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

The platform could be similar to the one used by Hyundai for its upcoming Ioniq – a Corolla-sized model that is positioned between the Toyota Prius and Prius c, and is available either as a pure electric vehicle, petrol-electric hybrid or petrol-electric plug-in hybrid.

If the Niro name sounds familiar to you, that's because the Niro Concept was first presented at the 2013 Frankfurt International Auto Show.