Some three years since the Kia Niro was launched, the Korean manufacturer has given its “green” crossover a fresh new look, albeit without making any drastic changes. Up front there are the new arrow-shaped LED daytime-running lights and the ‘ice cube’ design projection headlights, the more aggressive ‘tiger nose’ grille and an aluminium-painted skid plate.

At the rear, the new tail light graphics feature a modern, clean design and the bumpers are more dynamic, also thanks to the reshaped lower portion that has been enriched with redesigned rear fog lights and reversing lights. To complete the look, the alloy wheels (still available in the 16 and 18-inch versions) have been revamped and the bodywork offers an unexpected palette of colour options, including the lovely Horizon Blue of the car we tested, shown in the photo.

But what is really amazing is the passenger compartment: instead of the usual changes to minor details, the introduction of an infotainment system with screen measuring up to 10.25 inches has resulted in substantial changes to the dashboard, which now features a wide horizontal geometrically textured insert. Added to this is the completely new 7-inch digital supervision cluster with customisable screen. The technology? The eco-friendly technology is the same, and the standard and plug-in hybrids will be joined by a fully electric version in the first quarter of 2020.