Compare the2023 Toyota Rav4 HybridVS 2022 Kia Niro

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Niro doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Rav4 Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Niro doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Rav4 Hybrid (except LE/Woodland) offers optional Parking Assist with Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Niro doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Rav4 Hybrid has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Rav4 Hybrid XSE/Limited offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Rav4 Hybrid has standard Safety Connect™, 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 Rav4 Hybrid and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid weighs 476 to 688 pounds more than the Kia Niro. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Rav4 Hybrid	Niro
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37.4%	80%

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 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Rav4 Hybrid	Niro
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	83	138
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	138 lbs.	196 lbs.
Hip Force	246 lbs.	342 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	146	170
Spine Acceleration	49 G’s	77 G’s
Hip Force	508 lbs.	993 lbs.

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, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Rav4 Hybrid the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 164 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Niro has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The Rav4 Hybrid’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Niro runs out after 100,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro.

There are over 59 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 15th.

Engine

The Rav4 Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 80 more horsepower (219 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid is faster than the Kia Niro:

	Rav4 Hybrid	Niro
Zero to 60 MPH	7.1 sec	9.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.1 MPH	80.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Rav4 Hybrid can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1.6 miles. The Niro can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Rav4 Hybrid has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (14.5 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Rav4 Hybrid 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 Rav4 Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

	Rav4 Hybrid	Niro
Front Rotors	12 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	10.3 inches

The Rav4 Hybrid stops much shorter than the Niro:

	Rav4 Hybrid	Niro
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	145 feet	152 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Rav4 Hybrid has larger tires than the Niro (225/65R17 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Rav4 Hybrid LE/XLE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro LX/LXS/EX Premium.

The Rav4 Hybrid 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.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Rav4 Hybrid is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Niro.

The Rav4 Hybrid XSE handles at .80 G’s, while the Niro LXS pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Rav4 Hybrid XSE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Niro LXS (27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Rav4 Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Niro doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Rav4 Hybrid has .6 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4 Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Niro’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Rav4 Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Niro with its rear seat up (37.6 vs. 19.4 cubic feet). The Rav4 Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Niro with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Rav4 Hybrid easier. The Rav4 Hybrid’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the Niro’s liftover is 29 inches.

The Rav4 Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the Niro’s in almost every dimension:

	Rav4 Hybrid	Niro
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40”/73.4”	31.8”/64”
Max Width	59”	48.2”
Min Width	39.4”	41”
Height	36.6”	36”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4 Hybrid. The Niro doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Rav4 Hybrid (except LE/Woodland Edition) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or, optionally on the Rav4 Hybrid Limited, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Niro doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Payload and Towing

The Rav4 Hybrid has a 1750 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 Hybrid uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Niro doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Rav4 Hybrid has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Niro (1210 vs. 962 lbs.).

The Rav4 Hybrid has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Niro (1210 vs. 1089 lbs.).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Rav4 Hybrid (except LE/SE/Woodland), the optional memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Niro doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Rav4 Hybrid’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.

The Rav4 Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Niro’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Niro can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Rav4 Hybrid XLE/SE/XSE/Limited’s optional 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.

The Rav4 Hybrid’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Niro’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Rav4 Hybrid Limited offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Niro doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Both the Rav4 Hybrid and the Niro offer available heated front seats. The Rav4 Hybrid Limited also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Niro.

Both the Rav4 Hybrid and the Niro offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Rav4 Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Niro doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid and the Kia Niro, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Kia Niro by over 15 to one during the 2022 model year.

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