Compare the2024 BMW i4VS 2022 Kia Niro EV

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The i4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Niro EV doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW i4 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Niro EV doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The i4 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Niro EV 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 i4 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Niro EV doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The i4 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro EV doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The i4 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro EV 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 i4 has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to 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 EV 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 i4 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, 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 BMW i4 weighs 699 to 1164 pounds more than the Kia Niro EV. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The i4’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the Niro EV’s (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro EV.

Reliability

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

Engine

The i4 eDrive35’s standard electric motor produces 81 more horsepower (282 vs. 201) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 291) than the Niro EV’s electric motor. The i4 eDrive40’s standard electric motor produces 134 more horsepower (335 vs. 201) and 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 291) than the Niro EV’s electric motor. The i4 xDrive40’s standard electric motors produces 195 more horsepower (396 vs. 201) and 152 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 291) than the Niro EV’s electric motor. The i4 M50’s standard electric motors produces 335 more horsepower (536 vs. 201) and 295 lbs.-ft. more torque (586 vs. 291) than the Niro EV’s electric motor.

As tested in Consumer Reports the i4 M50 electric motors is faster than the Kia Niro EV:

	i4	Niro EV
Zero to 30 MPH	1.6 sec	3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	3.5 sec	6.8 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	2.1 sec	3.4 sec
Quarter Mile	11.9 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	119 MPH	95 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the i4 eDrive35 18" Wheels RWD gets better mileage than the Niro EV (122 city/119 hwy vs. 123 city/102 hwy MPGe).

The i4 can travel longer on a full charge than the Niro EV on a full charge:

			Miles
i4
	RWD	eDrive40 18" Wheels Electric Motor	301 miles
		eDrive40 19" Wheels Electric Motor	283 miles
		i4 eDrive35 18" Wheels Electric Motor	276 miles
	AWD	xDrive40 18" Wheels Electric Motors	307 miles
		xDrive40 19" Wheels Electric Motors	279 miles
		M50 19" Wheels Electric Motors	269 miles
Niro EV
	FWD	Electric Motor	239 miles

Transmission

The i4 M50’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Niro EV doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the i4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro EV:

	i4 eDrive40	i4 M50	Niro EV
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	14.7 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	11.8 inches

The i4’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Niro EV are solid, not vented.

The i4 stops much shorter than the Niro EV:

	i4	Niro EV
70 to 0 MPH	149 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the i4 has larger standard tires than the Niro EV (225/50R18 vs. 215/55R17). The i4 M50’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro EV (F:255/35R20 & R:285/30R20 vs. 215/55R17).

The i4’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Niro EV’s standard 55 series tires. The i4 M50’s optional 255/35R20 front and 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Niro EV’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the i4 has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Niro EV. The i4 M50 offers optional 20-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

The rear suspension of the i4 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Niro EV, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The i4 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Niro EV’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The i4 has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Niro EV doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The i4 has vehicle speed sensitive 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 EV doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the i4’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the Niro EV (112.4 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

The i4 M50 handles at .96 G’s, while the Niro EV EX Premium pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The front grille of the i4 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 EV doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the i4. The Niro EV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the i4’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Niro EV doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

The i4 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Niro EV uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 32% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the i4, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The Niro EV doesn’t offer a memory system.

The i4 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Niro EV doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The i4’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 EV’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the i4 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Niro EV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The i4’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Niro EV’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The i4’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Niro EV’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The i4’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 avoid possible obstacles, the i4 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Niro EV doesn’t offer cornering lights. The i4 also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the i4 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Niro EV’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The i4’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Niro EV offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the i4 and the Niro EV offer available heated front seats. The i4 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Niro EV.

The i4’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Niro EV doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW i4 and the Kia Niro EV, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the i4 second among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Niro EV isn’t in the top three.

The i4 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The Niro EV has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.