Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2022 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

The Outlander PHEV 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 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 Plug-In Hybrid 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 Plug-In Hybrid 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 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV weighs 794 to 853 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.

The Outlander PHEV’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’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 Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

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

For better traction, the Outlander PHEV has larger tires than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (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 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Outlander PHEV has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

For greater off-road capability the Outlander PHEV has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (7.3 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Outlander PHEV to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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 Plug-In Hybrid.

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

The Outlander PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid 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 Plug-In Hybrid 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

The Outlander PHEV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has no towing capacity.

The Outlander PHEV’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.

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 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Plug-In Hybrid EX/EX Premium.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Niro Plug-In Hybrid 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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