Compare the2025 Kia Niro EVVS 2025 Polestar 3

Both the Niro EV and the Polestar 3 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 3’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 Polestar covers the 3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Polestar 3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 25 times as many Kia dealers as there are Polestar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Niro EV’s warranty.

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 Polestar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 153 more problems per 100 vehicles, Polestar is ranked 35th, below the industry average.

On the EPA test cycle the Niro EV gets better mileage than the Polestar 3:

For better maneuverability, the Niro EV’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the Polestar 3’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Kia Niro EV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 2000 to 2150 pounds less than the Polestar 3.

The Niro EV is 1 foot, 6.9 inches shorter than the Polestar 3, making the Niro EV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Niro EV is 5.6 inches narrower than the Polestar 3, 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 Polestar 3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Niro EV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Polestar 3 with its rear seat up (22.8 vs. 17.1 cubic feet). The Niro EV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Polestar 3 with its rear seat folded (63.7 vs. 50 cubic feet).

The Niro EV’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Polestar 3’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

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 Polestar 3’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

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