Kia’s Niro sets Guinness World Record for fuel economy

Kia Motors’ hybrid crossover utility vehicle Niro has been recognized by the Guinness World Records for the lowest fuel consumption, the company said Friday. 

The 2017 Niro EX traveled 5,977.9 kilometers from Los Angeles to New York City between Dec. 4 and 11, using a total of 183.6 liters of gas. This marks a record of 3.7 liters per 100 kilometers, for the lowest fuel consumption drive across the US from coast to coast.

The official fuel economy certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency for the same model is 5.5 liters per 100 kilometers for highway driving, 6.1 liters per 100 kilometers for city driving and 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers combined.

The vehicle was not altered in any way for the attempt, according to Kia Motors America, the marketing and distribution arm of South Korea’s second-largest carmaker.

The all-new 2017 Niro is set to arrive at Kia retailers in the first quarter of 2017 and will be available in five trim options: FE, LX, EX, Touring and Launch Edition. 

By Park Ga-young (gypark@heraldcorp.com)