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

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited has standard Reverse Collision-Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited has standard Parking Assistance System 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a standard Blue Link, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the Niro Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid weighs 631 to 844 pounds more than the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has not been fully tested, yet.

The Tucson 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 Tucson 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid second among compact SUVs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.

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.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 122 more horsepower (261 vs. 139) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 195) than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 31 miles, 19% further than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s 26-mile range.

For better stopping power the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has larger tires than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (235/55R19 vs. 205/60R16).

The Tucson 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.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (108.5 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is 2 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

The front grille of the Tucson 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 7.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (108.2 vs. 100.9).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has .8 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 2.1 inches more rear legroom, 5.6 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (31.9 vs. 19.4 cubic feet). The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat folded (66.3 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, just waiting momentarily behind the back bumper can open the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s power liftgate, leaving your hands completely free. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid uses the Electronic 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Tucson 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 released manually.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s standard power windows’ front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The Tucson Plug-In 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 Plug-In Hybrid’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Tucson 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.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX/EX Premium. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

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

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

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Kia Niro by over six to one during the 2021 model year.