2022 Kia Niro caught without disguise

The 2022 Kia Niro has leaked online, with images snapped showing the small electrified SUV without its usual heavy canvas camouflage.

Kia is expected to unveil the second-generation Niro before the end of the year, with confirmation the vehicle will arrive in Australia in the second half of 2022.

The Niro has been photographed in various states of disguise in recent months, but the images posted to the Korean forum Sportage NQ5 Club (via The Korean Car Blog) show the car’s rear-end in detail, unseen before now.

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As with the front-end, spied at the beginning of the month, the overall design of the car takes its influence from the Kia HabaNiro concept car of 2019.

Unusually, it does appear as if Kia will offer the small SUV with a contrast exterior colour at the D-pillar, also following the look of the concept car closely – whether the two-tone paint will be optional or standard has yet to be confirmed.

Though most of the interior remains covered up, the pictures confirm the Niro will adopt the two-spoke steering wheel from the all-electric EV6, slated to arrive here in the first half of 2022.

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While the first-generation Niro only went on sale locally in May 2021 – available with petrol-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully-electric powertrains – the model has been on sale in overseas markets since 2016, meaning Australian buyers will see a new model within around 18 months.

Earlier reports suggest the next-gen Niro will continue to offer the same powertrain options as the current model, though expect some improvements in efficiency and driving range.

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