Compare the2022 Honda HR-VVS 2022 Kia Niro

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the HR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The HR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Niro’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The HR-V 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 HR-V 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda HR-V 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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda HR-V is safer than the Kia Niro:

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

The HR-V’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Niro runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 39 percent more Honda dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the HR-V’s warranty.

The engine in the HR-V has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engine in the Niro has dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 10 places higher in reliability than Kia.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda HR-V is faster than the Kia Niro:

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

The HR-V 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 HR-V’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

The HR-V stops much shorter than the Niro:

For better traction, the HR-V has larger standard tires than the Niro (215/55R17 vs. 205/60R16).

The HR-V’s standard 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 HR-V has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro LX/LXS/EX Premium.

The HR-V 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 HR-V 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 HR-V EX-L AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Niro LXS pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The HR-V EX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Niro LXS (27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

The Honda HR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 200 pounds less than the Kia Niro.

The HR-V Sport/EX/EX-L uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Niro doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The HR-V has .8 inches more front shoulder room and 1.9 inches more rear legroom than the Niro.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the HR-V’s rear seats recline. The Niro’s rear seats don’t recline.

The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Niro with its rear seat up (24.3 vs. 19.4 cubic feet). The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Niro with its rear seat folded (58.8 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

The HR-V’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.

Consumer Reports rated the HR-V’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Niro’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The Honda HR-V outsold the Kia Niro by over five to one during the 2021 model year.