Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2022 Kia Niro EV

The Outlander PHEV has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro EV 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 EV 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.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Niro EV 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Outlander PHEV’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Niro EV’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 20 more horsepower (221 vs. 201) than the Niro EV’s electric motor.

The Outlander PHEV’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 293.8 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Niro EV’s range is only 239 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 1 hour for only a 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 59 hours.

For better traction, the Outlander PHEV has larger tires than the Niro EV (225/55R18 vs. 215/55R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Outlander PHEV has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Niro EV.

For greater off-road capability the Outlander PHEV has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro EV (7.3 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Outlander PHEV to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Outlander PHEV has 5.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Niro EV (102.1 vs. 96.6).

The Outlander PHEV has .5 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 1.9 inches more rear legroom, 3.6 inches more rear hip room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro EV.

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

The Outlander PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Niro EV with its rear seat up (30.4 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The Outlander PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Niro EV with its rear seat folded (66.6 vs. 53 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 EV doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

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

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 EV’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 EV’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Outlander PHEV’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Niro EV doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

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 EV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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