Compare the2023 Hyundai KonaVS 2023 Kia Niro

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.

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, 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, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Kona the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 230 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Niro has not been tested, yet.

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.

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.

The Kona has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (13.2 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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.

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

The Kona stops shorter than the Niro:

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 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 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 SX pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Kona executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Niro SX (26.9 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The Kona is 8.4 inches shorter than the Niro, making the Kona easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Kona was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2019. The Niro has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue, and the Niro has only been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Kona as the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Niro has never been chosen.

The Hyundai Kona outsold the Kia Niro by over two to one during 2022.