Compare the2025 Toyota PriusVS 2025 Kia Niro

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Prius has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Niro 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 Prius has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Prius Limited offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro 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.

The Toyota Prius offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Kia Niro doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Prius and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Prius is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Prius	Niro
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	163	241
Neck Injury Risk	23%	29%
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	57 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	348	362
Neck Injury Risk	25.3%	29.1%
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	120 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	249/159 lbs.	601/129 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Prius is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Prius	Niro
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	167	182
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	128 lbs.	246 lbs.
Hip Force	290 lbs.	424 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	50 G’s	81 G’s
Hip Force	705 lbs.	919 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	13 inches
HIC	384	474
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	666 lbs.	692 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Prius is 1.6% less likely to roll over than the Niro.

The Toyota Prius has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Niro has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Warranty

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

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Prius for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro.

There are over 55 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Prius’ warranty.

Reliability

The battery on the Prius is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Prius’ battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Niro’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 Prius’ reliability 31 points higher than the Niro.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 8th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

Engine

The Prius’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 55 more horsepower (194 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Prius’ optional 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 57 more horsepower (196 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Prius is faster than the Kia Niro:

	Prius	Prius	Niro
Zero to 60 MPH	7.2 sec	7.1 sec	9.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	15.4 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.7 MPH	92.1 MPH	81.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Prius gets better mileage than the Niro:

			MPG
Prius
	FWD	LE 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	57 city/56 hwy
		XLE/Nightshade/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	52 city/52 hwy
	AWD	LE 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/54 hwy
		XLE/Nightshade/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	49 city/50 hwy
Niro
	FWD	1.6 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/54 hwy
		Touring 1.6 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/45 hwy

Transmission

The Prius has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Niro doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Prius AWD-e’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

	Prius	Prius AWD-e	Niro
Front Rotors	11.1 inches	12 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11 inches	11 inches	10.3 inches

The Prius stops shorter than the Niro:

	Prius	Niro
60 to 0 MPH	131 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Prius LE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The Prius XLE/Nightshade/Limited’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Prius’ wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Niro (108.3 inches vs. 107.1 inches).

The Prius XLE handles at .88 G’s, while the Niro SX pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Chassis

The design of the Toyota Prius amounts to more than styling. The Prius has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is lower than the Niro (.29) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Prius get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The Prius has 1.7 inches more front legroom and 1.4 inches more front hip room than the Niro.

Cargo Capacity

The Prius has a larger cargo volume than the Niro with its rear seat up (23.8 vs. 22.8 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

The Prius’ 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’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Niro SX’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Prius the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Niro can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Prius has standard Pushbutton Start that allows you to unlock the doors from the driver’s outside door handle and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Niro EX/SX offers a Smart Key.

The Prius LE’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Niro’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

Both the Prius and the Niro offer available heated front seats. The Prius Limited also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Niro.

Compared to traditional radio, the Toyota Prius’ standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Niro EX/SX.

The Prius Limited’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Niro doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Prius and the Kia Niro, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Prius/Prius Prime was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 1 more times in the last 22 years. The Niro has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the Prius as their 2024 Car of the Year. The Niro has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Prius as the 2024 North American Car of the Year. The Niro has never been chosen.

The Toyota Prius outsold the Kia Niro by 32% during 2024.

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