27: Kia Niro – Not the raging bull but hybrid sets the pace

At last! The great debate over how to properly pronounce the Kia Niro's name has been settled. It's Nee-ro, not Nigh-ro. How do we know? Because Hollywood legend Robert DeNiro has been hired to advertise the incoming all-electric e-Niro, and no-one calls him Robert DeNigh-ro.

While we await the arrival of the (potentially game-changing) all-battery e-Niro, the standard hybrid and plugin hybrid models are impressive enough. Especially the plugin, which manages (somehow) to sidestep the usual plugin hybrid problem of appalling motorway economy.

In fact, the plugin Niro easily bests 60mpg on the motorway, and you should get 40-45km out of a fully-charged battery around town. It’s also conspicuously better value than a Prius Plugin.

Regular hybrid version is a pleasant, easy-going thing for those without access to a driveway or a charging point. Quality is excellent (as usual with Kia) but the cabin and boot could do with being a touch roomier.