Compare the2022 Toyota Highlander HybridVS 2022 Kia Niro

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Highlander Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Niro doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum has standard Automated Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Niro doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

The Highlander Hybrid (except LE/XLE/Bronze) offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Niro LXS/LXS SE/Touring SE/EX Premium offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Highlander Hybrid has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Niro LXS/LXS SE/Touring SE/EX Premium has a rear cross-path warning system.

The Highlander Hybrid has standard Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Niro doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the Niro 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid weighs 1096 to 1478 pounds more than the Kia Niro. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Highlander Hybrid	Niro
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	28.4%	80%
Neck Stress	179 lbs.	207 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Highlander Hybrid	Niro
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	55	138
Chest Movement	.3 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	79 G’s	196 G’s
Hip Force	300 lbs.	342 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	114	170
Spine Acceleration	37 G’s	77 G’s
Hip Force	152 lbs.	993 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	664 lbs.	712 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Niro has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The Highlander Hybrid’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Niro runs out after 100,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro.

There are over 62 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Highlander Hybrid’s reliability 15 points higher than the Niro.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander Hybrid third among upper midsize suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Niro isn’t in the top three in its category.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Kia is ranked 15th.

Engine

The Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 104 more horsepower (243 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is faster than the Kia Niro:

	Highlander Hybrid	Niro
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	9.9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.2 sec	6.6 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	17.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88 MPH	80 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Highlander Hybrid has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (17.1 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Highlander Hybrid 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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Highlander Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

	Highlander Hybrid	Niro
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	10.3 inches

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Niro are solid, not vented.

The Highlander Hybrid stops much shorter than the Niro:

	Highlander Hybrid	Niro
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Highlander Hybrid has larger tires than the Niro (235/65R18 vs. 205/60R16). The Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE/Bronze’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro (235/65R18 vs. 225/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE/Bronze has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro LX/LXS/EX Premium. The Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring SE.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire 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.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander Hybrid’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Niro (112.2 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander Hybrid is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Niro.

Chassis

The front grille of the Highlander Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Niro doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Highlander Hybrid has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Niro can only carry 5.

The Highlander Hybrid has 40.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Niro (141.3 vs. 100.9).

The Highlander Hybrid has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 3.5 inches more front hip room, 3 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear legroom, 8.7 inches more rear hip room and 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander Hybrid’s middle and third row seats recline. The Niro’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area provides more volume than the Niro.

	Highlander Hybrid	Niro
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	19.4 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.3 cubic feet	54.5 cubic feet

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the Niro’s in almost every dimension:

	Highlander Hybrid	Niro
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	17.8”/48”/80.7”	n.a./31.8”/64”
Max Width	50”	48.2”
Min Width	45.8”	41”
Height	31”	36”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Highlander Hybrid. The Niro doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Highlander Hybrid has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Highlander Hybrid Bronze/Limited/Platinum, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Niro doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Payload and Towing

The Highlander Hybrid has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on the Highlander Hybrid uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Niro doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Highlander Hybrid has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Niro (1495 vs. 962 lbs.).

The Highlander Hybrid has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Niro (1535 vs. 1089 lbs.).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Niro doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Niro doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Highlander Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Niro’s parking brake has to released manually.

The Highlander Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Niro’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Highlander Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Niro can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Highlander Hybrid’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Niro’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Highlander Hybrid Bronze/Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Niro’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Niro doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Highlander Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Niro doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia only offers heated mirrors on the Niro Touring SE/EX Premium.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the Niro offer available heated front seats. The Highlander Hybrid Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Niro.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the Niro offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Highlander Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Niro doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Highlander Hybrid Bronze/Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Niro doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Kia Niro isn't recommended.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Kia Niro by almost 12 to one during the 2021 model year.