When people consider buying a vehicle, they always want a car that offers value for money. Thus, it is essential to compare the different offerings in the market that fall within your price range. This involves looking at the cars’ features and determining which one will provide the best combination of fuel economy, durability, and comfort while adhering to your sense of style.

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Recent improvements in technologies powering electric vehicles (EVs) and the need to move away from fossil fueled-vehicles have led to the development of numerous EVs like the Kona and the Niro. The increased number of EVs on the market can make it challenging to pick a car.

It is especially so in the case of the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro because many consider them cousins in the motor industry. Remember, Hyundai Motor Company owns about 33% of Kia Corporation and both have invested heavily in EV technology, meaning they likely share technologies.

Read on for an in-depth evaluation of the 2023 Kona vs 2023 Niro for the information you need to make an informed decision.

2023 Hyundai Kona EV vs 2023 Kia Niro EV: Side-by-Side Comparison

2023 Hyundai Kona EV vs 2023 Kia Niro EV: What’s the Difference?

The 2023 Hyundai Kona and 2023 Kia Niro EVs are expected to be fierce competitors following their release. Prospective buyers may be curious to know how the vehicles compare against each other in a bid to determine the superior option.

Here is a comparison of the 2023 Kona vs the 2023 Niro EVs based on their features and specs.

Dimensions

The manufacturers of the Hyundai Kona and the Kira Niro categorize them as compact sport utility vehicles (SUVs). A compact SUV is slightly larger than a subcompact or mini SUV, but smaller than the average SUV. In this case, the two compact SUVs are very similar in terms of size, though the Niro is slightly larger.

The Hyundai Kona is 165.6 inches long, 70.9 inches wide, and 61.2 inches high, while the Kia Niro is 174 inches long, 71.9 inches wide, and 61.8 inches high. The width indicated on both cars does not include the mirrors.

As expected, the Kia Niro has more cargo carrying capacity, with all seats in place at 22.8 cubic feet (cu ft), while the Kona has a capacity of 19.2 cu ft. Both cars have the exact turning circle measurement, which indicates how easy it would be to make U-turns or park at 34.8 ft. This means that despite being longer by almost 10 inches, the Niro is just as easy to navigate as the Kona. 

Lastly, the Kia Niro provides more seating room to its passengers than the Hyundai Kona, given that it is longer and higher. The Niro beats the Kona in all interior dimensions, including front and back seat headroom, shoulder room, hip room, and leg room.

Performance

Our review of the Kona vs Niro regarding their performance will focus on their motors, drivetrains, acceleration, and torque. All electric cars have an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine like fossil fuel-driven cars.

The motor converts electrical energy to motion or mechanical energy, which propels the vehicle. There are different kinds of electric motors. The 2023 Hyundai Kona and the 2023 Kia Niro use a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor in their powertrains.

The drivetrain in both cars is a front-wheel drive, meaning the electric motor pushes the front wheels to facilitate motion. Moreover, their motors have a power output of 150 kW or 201 horsepower (hp).

Lastly, the electric motors in both cars rely on a lithium-ion polymer battery pack to power their electric motors. Another performance similarity exhibited by both vehicles is a maximum top speed of 103 mph.

In terms of performance, they differ by very short margins. For instance, the acceleration rate of the Kona and the Niro vary by microseconds. The Kona goes from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds, while the Niro goes from 0-60 mph in about 6.5 seconds.

The Kona has a maximum drive battery voltage of 356 V, while the Niro’s maximum drive battery voltage is 358 V. The most significant difference in performance between the two cars is the electric motor torque which stands at 290 Lb-ft in the Hyundai Kona and 188 Lb-ft in the Kia Niro.

Overall, the Hyundai Kona and the Kia Niro are very similar in performance. 

Battery Output and Charging

The Hyundai Kona EV has a battery output of 64 kWh with a range of around 258 miles. On the other hand, the Kia Niro EV has a similar output of 64.8 kWh with a range of 253 miles. Therefore, the Hyundai provides a more extended range than the Kia, though not by much, while the Kia has a slightly better battery output. 

The Hyundai Kona EV has a combined charging system (CCS) that consists of a merged AC and DC inlet port. The manufacturer sells the car with a 7.2 kWh Type 2 AC charger that you can connect to a 240V household outlet.

The Type 2 charger can fully charge the vehicle from 0%-100% in 9.5 hours. The car can also plug into rapid charging units using a Level 3 50kW that provides 80% of charge to the vehicle in just over an hour, or a 100 kW charger that enables charging from 0% to 80% in less than an hour.

The Kia Niro EV also features a CCS that can plug into different types of charging networks in the market. The car comes equipped with an 11kW onboard charger that can fully charge when connected to a Level 2 charging unit in less than seven hours.

You can also slow charge the car using a 120 V AC outlet for about two and a half days. Lastly, you can use an 85 kW rated SAE J1772 Level 3 fast charger to charge the car from 10% to 80% in about 45 minutes. What’s more, both companies have partnerships with the EV charging network company EVgo.

Exterior Features

The Kia Niro and the Hyundai Kona have numerous external features that improve their appearance. They include 17-inch aero alloy rims in the Kia Niro and 17-inch aluminum alloy rims in the Hyundai Kona. The latter also has a tire mobility kit to help with flat tires.

In terms of lighting, both manufacturers fitted their cars with LED lights in the headlights and taillights to help improve visibility. They also have LED daytime running lights that increase the cars’ aesthetic appeal and LED fog lights that help prevent accidents.

The Kia Niro also has heated side mirrors and a heated windshield that helps increase visibility, especially during winter. On top of that, the car also has solar control glass that lowers heat accumulation within the car on hot days. Lastly, the Niro’s sound-absorbing window glass helps make travel more pleasant by preventing noise pollution outside from entering the vehicle.

Interior Features

One of the first things one analyzes when looking at a car’s interior is the seats, as they determine how much one will enjoy their drive. In the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro, the driver does not have to worry about comfort.

Both cars provide heated and ventilated front seats that guarantee comfortable driving all year round. The rear seats also fold, thus increasing the cars’ storage capacity. Moreover, the vehicles also have adjustable seats, vital in ensuring that the driver does not experience discomfort from overstretching or being confined in a small space. 

The manufacturers also added an air filter and automatic climate controls to both cars to help clean air circulation within the car during travel, thus further improving the driving experience. Other interior features in both vehicles include pockets that make storage convenient, as well as several cup and bottle holders that can help avoid costly spills. 

Technology

The Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro have a 10.25-inch LCD that provides the driver with vital information, like the speed and battery charge level. They also have a 10.25-inch touchscreen at the center of the dashboard that provides navigation and allows access to other features like AM/FM radio. 

Both cars carry Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, meaning you can connect your smartphone to your vehicle. In addition, they have SiriusXM satellite radio that offers access to hundreds of channels covering various topics, including sports, entertainment, and news.

Other car technologies that offer convenience include Bluetooth technology, a wireless phone charger, and several USB ports to enable device charging. 

Safety

Both the Hyundai Kona and the Kia Niro come equipped with technologies meant to increase passenger safety, as well as the safety of other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. These include:

  • A forward collision avoidance assist system that applies the brakes when it detects an obstacle in front of the car, thus helping avoid or reduce an accident’s impact,A blind spot collision avoidance assist system that notifies the driver of the presence of a vehicle in their blind spot,A rear cross-traffic collision avoidance system that uses radar sensors to prevent accidents when reversing the vehicle,Lane assist systems that monitor the car’s lane positioning, notify a driver if they leave the car lane unknowingly, and apply corrective steering to return the vehicle into its lane,Parking assist that alerts the driver when they get too close to an object during parking,Anti-lock braking system (ABS) that helps prevent skidding by regulating brake force,A traction control system that helps prevent wheel spin while accelerating.

The following are in addition to the standard safety measures applied to all cars, including airbags and seat belts. Other safety measures present in the vehicles include a smart cruise control system in the Kia Niro that helps maintain a safe distance between the car and other motorists.

Warranty

Hyundai provides several kinds of warranties for the 2023 Kona EV. The most basic warranty offers coverage for five years or 60,000 miles. They also provide warranties that cover the drivetrain, rust, and roadside assistance.

The drivetrain warranty provides a 10-year or 100,000-mile cover, the anti-rust warranty offers a 7-year or unlimited mileage cover, and the roadside assistance warranty provides coverage for five years or unlimited miles.  

Kia also offers several warranties for the Niro EV that are slightly similar to those provided by Hyundai. For instance, the Niro, like the Kona, receives a 5-year or 60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The difference between the Niro warranty and the Kona warranty is in the anti-rust and roadside assistance categories. 

For anti-rust and roadside assistance, the Kia Niro buyer does not receive unlimited mileage coverage. Instead, Kia Niro buyers will receive a 5-year or 100,000-mile anti-rust warranty and a 5-year or 60,000-mile roadside assistance warranty.  

Options

Some of the options offered with the Hyundai Kona include cargo blocks, cargo trays, first aid kits, wheel locks, and mudguards. Conversely, in the Kia Niro, some options include adding a battery heating system that helps pre-warm the battery while it’s connected to the charger to improve performance and range. The Kia Niro also offers a heat pump system as an option.

Price

We cannot wrap up our review of the 2023 Kona vs 2023 Niro without comparing their prices. The Hyundai Kona has a starting price of $33,550. However, the price may increase to $41,550 with various options added. On the other hand, the Kia Niro starts at $39,090 and reaches $44,650, should buyers include additional features like a battery heating system.

2023 Hyundai Kona EV vs 2023 Kia Niro EV: 5 Must-Know Facts

  • The 2023 Hyundai Kona EV and 2023 Kia Niro will offer less range than most EVs currently on the market.The 2023 Kia Niro has heated mirrors to boost visibility.The 2023 Hyundai Kona has a rear cross-traffic braking system to reduce collisions when reversing.The 2023 Kia Niro has voice recognition software, allowing drivers to use verbal commands to operate some car features.The 2023 Hyundai Kona has an automated 10-speed transmission engine.

2023 Hyundai Kona EV vs 2023 Kia Niro EV: Which One Is Better?

Tastes and preferences differ among people, and that is expected even when given the choice between the 2023 Hyundai Kona and the 2023 Kia Niro. It is undeniable that both EVs utilize optimized designs and features.

However, our review of the 2023 Kona vs Niro indicates that the 2023 Kia Niro may be the superior choice. It offers performance, safety, and comfort without compromising on style.