Compare the2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In HybridVS 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

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

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited has a standard Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the Niro Plug-In Hybrid 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 and driver alert monitors.

The Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid weighs 618 to 881 pounds more than the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked fourth.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 81 more horsepower (261 vs. 180) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 195) than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (11.1 vs. 9.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has larger tires than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (235/55R19 vs. 205/60R16). The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (235/55R19 vs. 225/45R18).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (108.5 inches vs. 107.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

For greater off-road capability the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (8.3 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 1.2 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (31.9 vs. 19.4 cubic feet). The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat folded (66.3 vs. 54.6 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s front power windows 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 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park 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 Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Kia Niro by almost six to one during 2023.