Compare the2023 Chevrolet BoltVS 2023 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

The Chevrolet Bolt has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Bolt offers an optional Surround Vision 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 front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Bolt has standard OnStar®, 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 Plug-In Hybrid 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 Bolt 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, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Bolt’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

There are almost 4 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Bolt’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked fourth.

The Bolt’s electric motor produces 20 more horsepower (200 vs. 180) and 71 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 195) than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Bolt can travel longer on a full charge than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid on electricity, only, (259 miles vs. 33 miles).

For better traction, the Bolt has larger tires than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (215/50R17 vs. 205/60R16).

The Bolt’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Bolt has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX.

The Bolt has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires standard on the Bolt can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Bolt has vehicle speed sensitive 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Bolt is 10.8 inches shorter than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid, making the Bolt easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Bolt has 2.8 inches more front legroom and 5.9 inches more front hip room than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

The Bolt has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat folded (57 vs. 54.6 cubic feet).

The Bolt’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid SX’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to lower them fully.

The Bolt’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Bolt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2017. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Bolt was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2017. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has never been an “All Star.”

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Bolt as the 2017 North American Car of the Year. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Bolt outsold the Kia Niro by 35% during the 2021 model year.