Compare the2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In HybridVS 2022 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offers optional Rear Parking Sensors to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has standard Blue Link, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid 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 Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Niro Plug-In Hybrid 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 9 places higher in reliability than Kia.

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity (123 city/115 hwy vs. 110 city/99 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine (52 city/51 hwy vs. 48 city/44 hwy).

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 29 miles, 12% further than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s 26 mile range.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s standard 60 series tires.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The front grille of the Ioniq Plug-In 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has .5 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room and 4.6 inches more rear hip room than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

The front step up height for the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is 1 inches lower than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (14.5” vs. 15.5”). The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s rear step up height is 1.7 inches lower than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s (14.5” vs. 16.2”).

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (23 vs. 19.4 cubic feet).

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s parking brake has to be released manually.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia only offers heated mirrors on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX/EX Premium.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.