Compare the2025 Kia Niro EVVS 2025 Volvo EC40

Both the Niro EV and the EC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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.

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 EC40’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 Volvo covers the EC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the EC40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Niro EV’s warranty.

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 Niro EV’s reliability 16 points higher than the EC40.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 79 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 31st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 6 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

On the EPA test cycle the Niro EV gets better mileage than the EC40:

The Niro EV has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The EC40 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The Niro EV stops shorter than the EC40:

The Niro EV Wave handles at .87 G’s, while the EC40 Ultimate pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Niro EV’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the EC40’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Kia Niro EV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 pounds less than the Volvo EC40.

The Niro EV has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more rear headroom and .8 inches more rear legroom than the EC40.

The Niro EV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EC40 with its rear seat up (22.8 vs. 15 cubic feet). The Niro EV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EC40 with its rear seat folded (63.7 vs. 48.7 cubic feet).

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 EC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Niro EV 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 EC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Niro EV has standard extendable sun visors. The EC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Niro EV Wave keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The EC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 EC40 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 EC40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Niro EV owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Niro EV will cost $1985 to $2535 less than the EC40 over a five-year period.

The Niro EV will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Niro EV will retain 54.32% to 55.04% of its original price after five years, while the EC40 only retains 43.8% to 44.65%.

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

The Kia Niro outsold the Volvo EC40 by almost 21 to one during 2024.