Kia Niro EV Officially Lands At Malaysia Market, What About Indonesia?

Kia Niro EV 2023. (Doc. Kia Global)

JAKARTA - The Malaysian market enthusiastically welcomes the arrival of one of the electric vehicles from South Korea, namely Kia Niro EV. This car is the second electric vehicle presented by Dinamikjaya Motors distributor, after Kia EV6.

Competing with Hyundai Kona Electric, Niro EV has a length of 4,420 mm, a width of 1,825 mm, a height of 1,570 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,720 mm. The available baggage room is 475 liters, but can be increased to 1,392 liters.

Reporting by the padulan page on Thursday, August 24, Niro EV features a closed jar of electric cars with large headlights integrated with the latest LED technology.

Another uniqueness in this car is a charging port stationed at the front, just in the middle of the bottom air elevator with a closed grip, reminiscent of Hyundai Kona Electric.

In the cabin, the dashboard is designed asymmetrically that surrounds the driver and passenger, and is equipped with a curved panel that combines digital instrument clusters and a 10.25-inch touch-screened infotainment system.

The touch of EV6 is also presented at Niro EV, with a dual touch panel under mid-air ventilation to control climate systems and infotainment that support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

On the center console, there are various buttons with various functions, such as cooling seat heaters, steering heaters, as well as driver assistance such as parking sensors and rear cameras.

Kia also demonstrates its commitment to environmental sustainability by displaying recycled components, including a header that uses about 56 percent recycled plastic PET, as well as a seat cover covered with bio skin made by mixing plant-based materials from eucalyptus trees with artificial skin from polyuretan materials.

Niro EV is also equipped with various safety and auxiliary features, including seven airbags, Hill Start Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Assist, along with other supporting features.

This compact SUV is powered by an electric motor located at the front and is capable of generating up to 201 dk of power with a torque of 255 Nm.

Niro EV battery capacity is 64.8 kWh, providing a range of up to 460 km. This battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in 49 minutes with a DC 80 kW fast charging.

Niro EV is offered in one variant in Malaysia at a price of 256,668 Malaysian ringgit or around Rp843.4 million.

Previously, Kia Niro EV was introduced in Indonesia through the 2022 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) together with Kia EV6. However, EV6 entered the Indonesian market in early 2023.

Head of the Marketing & Development Division of PT Cretaceous Indo Artha (KIA), Ario Soerjo, revealed that currently there are no plans to bring Niro EV to the Indonesian market.

"There are no plans yet after we tested the market last year," said Ario when contacted by VOI on Friday, August 25.

He also stated that his party could not provide information about the price and release date of Niro EV in the Indonesian market along with EV6 at this time.

"Sorry, we can't share the information yet," concluded Ario.