10 Kia Niro Competitors to Consider

2018 Kia Niro ・ Photo by Kia

The 2019 Kia Niro certainly shows off an impressive list of benefits, especially if you’re interested in fuel economy. The Niro relies on a standard hybrid powertrain that can break 50 mpg in city driving. There’s also a Niro plug-in hybrid, which can provide the equivalent of twice that efficiency while running on electricity alone. Kia then serves up Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard content, and it offers Harman Kardon audio as an option. Automatic emergency braking and a blind-spot monitor? They’re available, too.

That said, you do have some notable Kia Niro competitors to consider — all with benefits of their own. And we’ve included crossovers and cars alike, since the Niro appeals to customers from both sides of the business.

2019 Hyundai Ioniq

One of the top Kia Niro competitors is the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq hatchback. That’s because the two cars are corporate cousins, with Kia and Hyundai both owned by the same automaker. Yet even though the Niro and Ioniq share the same powertrain — among other features — the Hyundai has a major lead in fuel economy: The most efficient Niro has EPA ratings of 52 mpg city/49 mpg highway/50 mpg combined, while the leading Ioniq scores 57 city/59 highway/58 combined.

The Ioniq is also a bit longer on the outside so it has more trunk space on the inside. It’s noticeably less expensive, too. The Niro does have an important advantage in rear-seat headroom and legroom, however.

Photo by Hyundai

2019 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid

Plug-in Kia Niro competitors to consider are fairly rare. Ford had the C-Max plug-in, but that’s been discontinued. Toyota sells a plug-in version of the Prius, yet it's half a foot longer than the Niro. The Chevrolet Volt? The MSRP for the Chevy is over $5K higher than the Niro’s. 

This brings us back to Hyundai. The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is that company’s version of the Niro plug-in, again with many similarities. Just keep in mind that their differences in efficiency and pricing are even wider than for the “regular” hybrid models. The Hyundai is $3,000 less than the Kia and has 3 more miles of all-electric driving range — 29 in total — and an extra 70 miles of overall range.

Photo by Hyundai

2019 Kia Sportage

Some Kia Niro competitors can be found right at the same dealership. That’s the case for the 2019 Kia Sportage. Again, the 2019 Kia Niro is the shorter vehicle in length, and this means it comes up a bit short for passenger and cargo space as well. The Sportage also can be ordered with all-wheel drive, unlike the Niro.

On the other hand, the Niro is literally twice as efficient in combined driving: It achieves 50 mpg versus 25 mpg for the Sportage. And despite being a few hundred dollars less expensive, only the Niro has a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

Photo by Kia

2019 Honda HR-V

Another one of the likely Kia Niro competitors to consider is the 2019 Honda HR-V. The HR-V has a slightly smaller footprint than the Niro — but more cargo room. In fact, when their back seats are in use, the Honda’s cargo capacity is 25 percent higher than the Kia’s. The Niro makes up for that in the efficiency department, thanks to combined EPA ratings that are 67 percent higher than in the HR-V.

Kia’s infotainment offerings also continue to make an impact. Although the Niro is the costlier choice, that’s partly because its standard content includes that 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. These features cost extra in the HR-V. Also, ventilated front seats — optional for the Niro — aren’t available from the Honda at any price.

Photo by Honda

2019 Fiat 500L

As you may have noticed, you’ll find a similar recipe among many of the Kia Niro competitors. These rivals — like the 2019 FIAT 500L — have extra cargo space but lower fuel economy. The Fiat is a case in point. It can handle up to 68 cubic feet of cargo behind its front seats, which is much more than the Niro. But the 500L checks in with fuel-economy grades of only 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined. Those are much lower than for the Kia.

Both the Niro and the 500L also boast the same standard infotainment technologies. A key difference is that Fiat delivers that equipment with an MSRP that’s nearly $2,500 lower than you’ll pay for an entry-level Niro.

Photo by FIAT

2019 Nissan Kicks

Some Kia Niro competitors focus on style over cabin space. For example, the 2019 Nissan Kicks is no doubt an eye-catching crossover, complete with a floating roof, muscular fenders, and dramatic headlights. The Kicks also carries that attention to design into the cabin, where you’ll find a sophisticated dashboard and an available flat-bottomed racing-style steering wheel.

What you won’t get is much space in the back seat. The Kicks is limited to 33.2 inches of rear legroom, while the Niro lets you stretch out back there with 37.4 inches. Beyond that benefit, the Niro provides more total cargo and, of course, significantly better fuel-efficiency marks. Nor can the Kicks match the Niro’s available heated and ventilated leather-trimmed front seats.

Photo by Nissan

2018 Ford C-Max

Ford actually has a number of Kia Niro competitors for 2019, including the EcoSport and the Escape crossovers. But it’s a car from the previous year that’s actually the closest match in terms of both size and powertrain. The 2018 Ford C-Max Hybrid is no longer in production, but it is still available to purchase, and it does have just about the same exterior dimensions as the Niro.

The thing is, the Niro is more efficient and less expensive, and it provides higher levels of technology. For instance, only the Niro is equipped with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and it’s the only one to offer a drowsy-driver alert and automatic emergency braking.

Photo by Ford

2019 Toyota C-HR

Some Kia Niro competitors take a more style-focused approach to the segment. The 2019 Toyota C-HR, for one, pushes the envelope with its bold fenders and exotic front end. Like most Toyotas, the C-HR also features a standard safety package that includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams — all of which are optional for the Niro.

The Toyota's tradeoff comes in the cargo and fuel-economy departments. The C-HR’s total luggage volume, with its rear seat folded, is 36.4 cubic feet. The Niro can fit 50 percent more gear in the back. Next, for fuel efficiency, the Toyota trails the Niro by a margin of up to 25 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined.

Photo by Toyota

2019 Subaru Crosstrek

Most Kia Niro competitors have front-wheel drive, like the Niro itself. This gives the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek a unique advantage if you need extra grip, since it rides on standard all-wheel drive. Surprisingly, even with AWD, the Crosstrek still manages to undercut the Niro for pricing. The Subaru’s MSRP of $21,895 with AWD compares to the Niro’s entry cost of $23,490 without.

That said, you’re stuck with a stick shift in the Crosstrek base model, and it will cost you $1,000 for a CVT. The Niro leverages a sporty six-speed dual-clutch automatic as standard. Besides, compared to the Crosstrek, the Niro will save you an estimated $3,000 in five-year fuel costs.

Photo by Subaru

2019 Jeep Compass

You might think the 2019 Jeep Compass is one of the more rugged Kia Niro competitors. Yet while it can be ordered with four-wheel drive, the Compass comes standard with front-wheel drive, like the Niro. Also, despite the Compass' lower MSRP, that price includes a standard manual transmission, like the Crosstrek.

Finally, like most of the vehicles here, the Compass has a bit more cargo space and less standard technology than the Niro, along with much lower fuel efficiency. Indeed, according to the EPA, the average Compass driver will spend twice as much money on gasoline as the average driver with a comparable Niro.

Photo by Jeep