Compare the2024 Kia Niro EVVS 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Kia Niro EV has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Niro EV and the Ioniq 5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai 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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked third.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 4 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The Niro EV’s electric motor produces 33 more horsepower (201 vs. 168) than the Ioniq 5 Standard Range’s standard electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Niro EV gets better mileage than the Ioniq 5:

The Niro EV can travel longer on a full charge than the Ioniq 5 Standard Range RWD (253 miles vs. 220 miles).

The Niro EV stops shorter than the Ioniq 5:

The Niro EV Wave handles at .87 G’s, while the Ioniq 5 Limited AWD pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Niro EV’s turning circle is 4.5 feet tighter than the Ioniq 5’s (34.8 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The Kia Niro EV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 1000 pounds less than the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The Niro EV is 8.5 inches shorter than the Ioniq 5, making the Niro EV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Niro EV has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Ioniq 5 with its rear seat folded (63.7 vs. 59.3 cubic feet).

The Niro EV’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 Ioniq 5’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Niro EV has a standard rear wiper. The Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports rated the Niro EV’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Ioniq 5’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Both the Niro EV and the Ioniq 5 have standard heated front seats. The Niro EV also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Ioniq 5.

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. Only the Ioniq 5 SEL/Limited offers wireless charging.

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 Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Niro EV and the Hyundai Ioniq 5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Niro outsold the Hyundai Ioniq by 8% during 2022.