Compare the2023 Toyota VenzaVS 2023 Kia Niro

The Venza 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.

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

The Venza Limited has a standard Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro 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.

Both the Venza and the Niro 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.

The Toyota Venza weighs 600 to 842 pounds more than the Kia Niro. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Venza the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Niro has not been tested, yet.

The Venza’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 Venza 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 Venza’s warranty.

The battery on the Venza is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Venza’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Niro’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

The Venza’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 Venza is faster than the Kia Niro:

The Venza 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 Venza has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (14.5 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

For better traction, the Venza has larger tires than the Niro (225/60R18 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Venza LE has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The Venza XLE/Nightshade/Limited’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring.

The Venza 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.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Venza is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Niro.

The Venza’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56% to 44%) than the Niro’s (61% to 39%). This gives the Venza more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Venza has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro (8.2 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Venza to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Venza has 9 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro.

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

The Venza has a much larger cargo volume than the Niro with its rear seat up (28.8 vs. 22.8 cubic feet).

An available locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Venza. The Niro doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Venza’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 passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Niro SX’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Venza 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 close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Venza’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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Venza Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Niro doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Venza has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Niro EX/SX/Touring offers wireless charging.

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

The Toyota Venza outsold the Kia Niro by 17% during 2022.