Compare the2025 Kia Niro EVVS 2024 Acura ZDX

The Niro EV’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The ZDX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Niro EV and the ZDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 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 ZDX’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 Acura covers the ZDX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the ZDX ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Acura 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 24 points higher than the ZDX.

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 Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 18th.

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 Acura 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, Acura is rated below average.

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

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

The Niro EV stops shorter than the ZDX:

The Niro EV Wave handles at .87 G’s, while the ZDX Type S 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 4.8 feet tighter than the ZDX’s (34.8 feet vs. 39.6 feet).

The Kia Niro EV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1700 to 2350 pounds less than the Acura ZDX.

The Niro EV is 1 foot, 11.7 inches shorter than the ZDX, making the Niro EV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Niro EV is 5.1 inches narrower than the ZDX, making the Niro EV easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The front grille of the Niro EV uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The ZDX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Niro EV has 2.7 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom and 1.1 inches more rear headroom than the ZDX.

The Niro EV has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the ZDX with its rear seat folded (63.7 vs. 63 cubic feet).

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Niro EV to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Acura doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the ZDX.

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 ZDX Type S’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Niro EV, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Acura ZDX isn't recommended.

The Kia Niro outsold the Acura ZDX by over five to one during 2024.