Compare the2026 Mercedes CLA EQVS 2025 Kia Niro EV

The CLA EQ’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Niro EV doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The CLA EQ has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Niro EV doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The CLA EQ has a standard Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Niro EV doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The CLA 350 4MATIC EQ has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro EV doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The CLA EQ has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Niro EV doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

The CLA EQ offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro EV 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 CLA EQ and the Niro EV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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 Mercedes CLA EQ weighs 832 to 1008 pounds more than the Kia Niro EV. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The CLA EQ’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Niro EV runs out after 100,000 miles.

The CLA 250+ EQ’s standard electric motor produces 67 more horsepower (268 vs. 201) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (247 vs. 188) than the Niro EV’s electric motor. The CLA 350 4MATIC EQ’s standard electric motors produces 148 more horsepower (349 vs. 201) and 192 lbs.-ft. more torque (380 vs. 188) than the Niro EV’s electric motor.

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

The CLA EQ can travel longer on a full charge than the Niro EV on a full charge:

For better traction, the CLA EQ’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro EV (F:225/45R18 & R:255/40R18 vs. 215/55R17).

The CLA 250+ EQ’s standard 225/50R17 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Niro EV’s standard 55 series tires. The CLA EQ’s optional 225/40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Niro EV’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CLA EQ offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Niro EV’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the CLA EQ can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Niro EV doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CLA EQ’s wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the Niro EV (109.8 inches vs. 107.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CLA EQ is 1.3 inches wider in the front than on the Niro EV.

The CLA EQ has .4 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom and 3.2 inches more front shoulder room than the Niro EV.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Niro EV Wave, the CLA EQ has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The CLA EQ’s front and rear power windows all 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 EV’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Niro EV Wave’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the CLA EQ the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Niro EV can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the CLA EQ offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Niro EV doesn’t offer cornering lights. The CLA EQ also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The CLA EQ’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Niro EV offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Mercedes CLA EQ has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Niro EV Wave.

The CLA EQ offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Niro EV.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the CLA EQ has a standard Active Distance Assist Distronic, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Niro EV doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.