Compare the2024 Kia Niro EVVS 2024 BMW i4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Kia Niro EV are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW i4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Niro EV are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The i4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Niro EV’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The i4 doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Niro EV and i4 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Niro EV has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The i4’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Niro EV and the i4 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, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

The Niro EV comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The i4’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Niro EV 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than BMW covers the i4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the i4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Kia dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Niro EV’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 42 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 15th.

On the EPA test cycle the Niro EV gets better mileage than the i4:

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

The Niro EV stops shorter than the i4:

For better maneuverability, the Niro EV’s turning circle is 6.2 feet tighter than the i4’s (34.8 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Kia Niro EV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 1300 pounds less than the BMW i4.

The Niro EV is 1 foot, 2.5 inches shorter than the i4, making the Niro EV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Niro EV has 9.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the i4 (99.7 vs. 90).

The Niro EV has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 2.7 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the i4.

The Niro EV Wave’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The i4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Niro EV has a standard rear wiper. The i4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Niro EV has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the i4.

The Niro EV Wave has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The i4 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Niro EV Wave’s Smart Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The i4 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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