Compare the2022 Hyundai KonaVS 2022 Kia Niro

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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

The Kona SEL/N Line/Limited 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 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 Kona and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Kona is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Kona	Niro
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	20%	27%
Neck Stress	207 lbs.	291 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	29/232 lbs.	74/269 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	217	224
Neck Injury Risk	37%	80%
Neck Stress	193 lbs.	207 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	59/27 lbs.	144/13 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Kona is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Kona	Niro
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	109	138
Chest Movement	.8 inches	.9 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	66 G’s	77 G’s
Hip Force	638 lbs.	993 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	196	214

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Kona the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 137 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Niro has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

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

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona 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.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Kona’s reliability 33 points higher than the Niro.

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.

Engine

The Kona’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 8 more horsepower (147 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Kona N Line/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 56 more horsepower (195 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Kona has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (13.2 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Hyundai Kona N Line/Limited, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Niro.

The Kona 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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Kona AWD/1.6T’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

	Kona AWD/1.6T	Niro
Front Rotors	12 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.2 inches	10.3 inches

The Kona stops much shorter than the Niro:

	Kona	Niro
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	131 feet	152 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Kona N Line/Limited’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro (235/45R18 vs. 225/45R18).

The Kona FWD/2.0 AWD has a standard space-saver spare (not available on 1.6T AWD) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Niro; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Kona has 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 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Kona handles at .85 G’s, while the Niro LXS pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Kona executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Niro LXS (26.9 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Chassis

The Hyundai Kona may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Kia Niro.

The Kona is 5.9 inches shorter than the Niro, making the Kona easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Kona easier. The Kona’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.5 inches, while the Niro’s liftover is 29 inches.

Ergonomics

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

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Kona, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Kia Niro isn't recommended.

The Kona was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” in 2019. The Niro has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

The Hyundai Kona outsold the Kia Niro by over four to one during the 2021 model year.