Kia Niro review: Say hello to my little friend

The word “Niro” makes us think of a few things: Robert de Niro in his classic film roles; strong black coffee; or some kind of futuristic city. It doesn’t immediately make us think of a car. But that’s about to change, for Korean car giant Kia has just put the Niro, its first ever electric-petrol hybrid, on sale in the UK.

Maybe our meandering brain wasn’t too far off the mark: Niro (well, “nero”) can be translated as meaning “strong”, which is certainly a bold statement of Kia’s intent in the ever-growing and highly competitive crossover market.

Indeed, having driven the Niro around the north and Newcastle for a day, does it have the strong characteristics that its name purports, or is it all pomp?