Compare the2025 Hyundai KonaVS 2025 Kia Niro

The Kona offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Kona Limited has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Kona and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Hyundai Kona has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Niro has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The Kona’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Niro’s (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked fourth.

The Kona SE/SEL’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 8 more horsepower (147 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Kona N Line/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 more horsepower (190 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Kona N Line/Limited 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Kia Niro:

Both the Kona SE and the Niro have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Kona SEs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Kona’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (12.4 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Kona N Line/Limited’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (13.2 vs. 11.1 gallons).

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Hyundai Kona N Line/Limited, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Niro.

The Kona SE/SEL has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Niro doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Kona AWD/SEL/1.6T’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

The Kona stops shorter than the Niro:

For better traction, the Kona has larger standard tires than the Niro (215/60R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Kona N Line/Limited’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro (235/45R19 vs. 225/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Kona SE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The Kona N Line/Limited’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring.

The Kona has a standard space-saver spare (not available on 1.6T FWD) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Niro; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Kona Limited AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Niro SX (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Kona has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro (8.1 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Kona to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Kona N Line/Limited’s minimum ground clearance is 2 inches higher than on the Niro (8.3 vs. 6.3 inches).

The Kona has .2 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front hip room and .6 inches more front shoulder room than the Niro.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Kona’s rear seats recline. The Niro’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Kona has a much larger cargo volume than the Niro with its rear seat up (25.5 vs. 22.8 cubic feet).

The Kona has a standard Proximity Key that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Niro EX/SX offers a Smart Key.

The Kona’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Niro’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Kona Limited’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Niro doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Kona and the Kia Niro, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Kona second among small suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Niro isn’t in the top three.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Kona as the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Niro has never been chosen.

The Hyundai Kona outsold the Kia Niro by almost three to one during 2024.