Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SportVS 2022 Kia Niro

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

Both the Outlander Sport and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, 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 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is safer than the Kia Niro:

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, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is safer than the Kia Niro:

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

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Outlander Sport second among small suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Niro isn’t in the top three.

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 Sport’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (148 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Outlander Sport GT’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 29 more horsepower (168 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder is faster than the Kia Niro:

The Outlander Sport AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (15.8 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Outlander Sport FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (16.6 vs. 11.9 gallons).

The Outlander Sport 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 Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

The Outlander Sport stops much shorter than the Niro:

For better traction, the Outlander Sport has larger standard tires than the Niro (215/70R16 vs. 205/60R16).

The Outlander Sport has a standard space-saver spare tire 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.

The Outlander Sport has .2 inches more front shoulder room, 3.3 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro.

The Outlander Sport has a much larger cargo volume than the Niro with its rear seat up (21.7 vs. 19.4 cubic feet).

The Outlander Sport’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 Sport’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.

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport outsold the Kia Niro by 42% during the 2021 model year.