Compare the2023 Toyota Corolla CrossVS 2022 Kia Niro

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross XLE has standard Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Niro doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

The Corolla Cross XLE has standard Front and Rear Parking Assist to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Niro doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The Corolla Cross has standard Safety Connect, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, 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 Corolla Cross and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Cross is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Corolla Cross	Niro
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27%	27%
Neck Stress	243 lbs.	291 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27%	80%
Neck Stress	165 lbs.	207 lbs.

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Cross is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Corolla Cross	Niro
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	92	138
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	129 lbs.	196 lbs.
Hip Force	330 lbs.	342 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	170
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	77 G’s
Hip Force	367 lbs.	993 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	623 lbs.	712 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 standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Corolla Cross its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 126 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Niro has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The Corolla Cross’ 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 Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross’ warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Corolla Cross’ reliability 29 points higher than the Niro.

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.

Engine

The Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (169 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Corolla Cross is faster than the Kia Niro:

	Corolla Cross	Niro
Zero to 60 MPH	9.3 sec	9.9 sec
Quarter Mile	17.1 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	83.1 MPH	80.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the Corolla Cross and Niro have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Corolla Cross has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Corolla Cross AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (13.2 vs. 11.9 gallons).

Transmission

The Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

	Corolla Cross	Niro
Front Rotors	12 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	10.3 inches

The Corolla Cross stops much shorter than the Niro:

	Corolla Cross	Niro
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	140 feet	152 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Corolla Cross has larger standard tires than the Niro (215/65R17 vs. 205/60R16).

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

The Corolla Cross 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

The Corolla Cross XLE AWD handles at .80 G’s, while the Niro LXS pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Corolla Cross XLE AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Niro LXS (28.2 seconds @ .57 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Cargo Capacity

The Corolla Cross has a much larger cargo volume than the Niro with its rear seat up (26.5 vs. 19.4 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Corolla Cross XLE offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Niro doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Payload and Towing

The Corolla Cross has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro has no towing capacity.

The Corolla Cross has a higher standard payload capacity than the Niro (1160 vs. 962 lbs.).

The Corolla Cross has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Niro (1175 vs. 1089 lbs.).

Ergonomics

The Corolla Cross’ 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 Corolla Cross’ 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 Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross’ 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 Corolla Cross XLE offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Niro doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Corolla Cross’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia only offers heated mirrors on the Niro Touring SE/EX Premium.

Both the Corolla Cross and the Niro offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Cross 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.

Model Availability

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Kia Niro isn’t available as a sedan or four door hatchback.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Corolla Cross as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Kia Niro by almost 10 to one during 2022.

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