Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2022 Kia Niro

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

The Outlander PHEV GT has a standard Multi 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 Outlander PHEV 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 Outlander PHEV 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.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV weighs 1010 to 1127 pounds more than the Kia Niro. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Outlander PHEV’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Niro’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 6th.

The Outlander PHEV’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 82 more horsepower (221 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is faster than the Kia Niro:

On the EPA test cycle the Outlander PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the Niro:

The Outlander PHEV can drive on battery power alone for up to 24 miles. The Niro must run its internal combustion engine to move.

The Outlander PHEV 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.

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

The Outlander PHEV stops much shorter than the Niro:

For better traction, the Outlander PHEV has larger tires than the Niro (225/55R18 vs. 205/60R16).

The Outlander PHEV’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 LX/LXS/EX Premium’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Outlander PHEV has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro LX/LXS/EX Premium.

The Outlander PHEV has .5 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear legroom, 3.6 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outlander PHEV’s rear seats recline. The Niro’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Outlander PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Niro with its rear seat up (30.4 vs. 19.4 cubic feet). The Outlander PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Niro with its rear seat folded (66.6 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Outlander PHEV has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Niro doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

The Outlander PHEV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro has no towing capacity.

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

The Outlander PHEV’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.

The Outlander PHEV’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Niro’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Outlander PHEV’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 Outlander PHEV and the Niro offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Outlander PHEV 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 Outlander PHEV GT 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.

The Mitsubishi Outlander outsold the Kia Niro by 16% during the 2021 model year.