Compare the2023 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2023 Kia Niro EV

The Crosstrek Hybrid has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Niro EV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

Both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the Niro EV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and driver alert monitors.

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, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Crosstrek Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 101 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Niro EV has not been tested, yet.

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

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 7 places higher in reliability than Kia.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Niro EV doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 492 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Niro EV’s range is only 253 miles, after which

For better traction, the Crosstrek Hybrid has larger tires than the Niro EV (225/55R18 vs. 215/55R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Niro EV.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 1.6 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear hip room and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro EV.

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

The Crosstrek Hybrid has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro EV has no towing capacity.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s front power windows 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 EV’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. The Niro EV Wave’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek Hybrid’s exterior PIN entry system. The Niro EV doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Niro EV’s 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 Crosstrek Hybrid has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Niro EV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Crosstrek Hybrid has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Niro EV doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Kia Niro by over five to one during the 2022 model year.