Kia made a surprise reveal today at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto by unveiling its newest hybrid utility vehicle, the 2017 Niro.

Under this CUV’s hood is a Kappa 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed, dual-clutch  transmission and produces 103 horsepower. A 43-hp tractive motor works in conjunction with the gasoline engine to produce 146 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. Rather than using the traditional 12 volt battery, engineers replaced it with a  high-voltage lithium-ion polymer battery to further reduce the vehicle’s total cub weight.

The theme that designers really wanted to push is that owners don’t have to sacrifice style or design in order to have an efficient hybrid vehicle, and the Niro definitely delivers. The front grille was designed in signature Kia style and is flanked by aggressively shaped headlights.

Looking along the side of this crossover, the panels have a few character lines, followed by voluminous wheel arches and taillights that are also no less mean-looking than the headlights.

Kia has insured that road noise, a common issue associated with hybrids, isn’t a problem with the Niro. Engineers insulated the vehicle’s structure, optimized suspension bushing stiffness and applied expanding foam the insides of both A- and B-pillars to prevent road and tire noise from entering the cabin.  They even went as far as to install a damper in the steering wheel hub to minimize vibrations.

The Niro also has a long list of driver technologies, including Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Advanced Smart Cruise Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking.

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Source: Kia