South Korean firm Kia has a less expensive proposition when it comes to hybrid units. As of late, its presence is making a dent on Toyota's market shares where the Japanese Prius car is being undermined. Considering the Seoul-based organization's lower price, Kia products have a long way to go.

The entry of the 2017 Kia Niro does not merely provide a budget-friendly option among buyers. Here is a unit that dazzles everyone. With its stylish exterior design plus a roomy cabin, the vehicle definitely makes practical sense.

What makes the Kia Niro impressive is that it is making a mark in the subcompact crossover market. It is the only hybrid car that is faster than two-thirds of the vehicles in this field. Within 8.7 seconds, the unit has been able to zoom out to 60mph.

Such performance is a second quicker that the 2016 Toyota Prius and 1.2 seconds better than the Prius Eco. Although the 2013 Ford C-Max incurs a better time, its 8.3-second mark is still within the 2017 Kia Niro's range.

What makes the Niro attractive is the fact that it provides customers with the better of two worlds. It is practically a hatchback and a crossover. The car has been manufactured on a platform that churned out the Hyundai Ioniq. Unlike the Ioniq, however, Kia's hybrid automobile is fuel-efficient.

The 2017 Kia Niro is equipped with a 4-cylinder 1.6-liter engine that incorporates a 6-speed automatic transaxle with a single AC electric motor/generator. This machine is able to unload 104hp with 109 pound-feet of torque. The car has an exhaust-heat recovery and dual-cooling circuits for faster cylinder head warming.

Since it has shed off some aerodynamic prowess, the Kia Niro is able to accommodate more passengers and more cargo into its cabin. An active safety tech that manages collision impacts is in place. Add-ons like a sun-roof and power driver's seat are also available.

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