Compare the2025 Kia Niro Plug-In HybridVS 2025 Volvo XC40

Both the Niro Plug-In Hybrid and the XC40 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, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

The Niro Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The XC40’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Niro Plug-In Hybrid 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 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 Plug-In Hybrid’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 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 Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the XC40 T5 (113 city/102 hwy MPGe vs. 23 city/30 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Niro Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the XC40 T5 (49 city/47 hwy vs. 23 city/30 hwy).

The Niro Plug-In Hybrid can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The XC40 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XC40 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid higher (6 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (4). This means the Niro Plug-In Hybrid produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 every 15,000 miles.

The Niro Plug-In Hybrid offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The XC40 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX handles at .80 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the XC40’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 550 pounds less than the Volvo XC40.

The design of the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid amounts to more than styling. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the XC40 (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Niro Plug-In Hybrid get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Niro Plug-In Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The XC40 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has 7.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 (105.1 vs. 98).

The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more rear headroom and 3.7 inches more rear legroom than the XC40.

The Niro Plug-In Hybrid SX’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 XC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s standard Smart Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Drive standard on the XC40 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Niro Plug-In Hybrid SX keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the XC40.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC40 isn't recommended.

The Kia Niro outsold the Volvo EX40/XC40 by 26% during 2024.