Compare the2022 Kia Niro EVVS 2022 Mazda MX-30

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Niro EV are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Niro EV’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Niro EV and the MX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Niro EV the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 214 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The MX-30 has not been tested, yet.

The Niro EV comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The MX-30’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Niro EV 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the MX-30. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the MX-30 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 39 percent more Kia dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Niro EV’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

The Niro EV’s electric motor produces 58 more horsepower (201 vs. 143) and 91 lbs.-ft. more torque (291 vs. 200) than the MX-30’s electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Niro EV gets better mileage than the MX-30 (123 city/102 hwy vs. 98 city/85 hwy MPGe).

The Niro EV’s maximum EPA estimated driving range is 239 miles on a full charge, almost two and a half times as far as the MX-30’s 100-mile range.

For superior ride and handling, the Kia Niro EV has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda MX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Niro EV’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the MX-30 (106.3 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Niro EV’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the MX-30’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.3 feet).

The Niro EV has 6.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MX-30 (96.6 vs. 89.8).

The Niro EV has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 5.9 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the MX-30.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Niro EV EX Premium keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The MX-30 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Niro EV, based on reliability, safety and performance.