Handing over your hard-earned money on an SUV doesn’t always mean spending a fortune on gas to keep it rolling. The fuel-sipping engines in the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid and 2024 Kia Niro prove that SUVs don’t have to be gas guzzlers.
Of the two, the Niro is the mileage champion with an EPA-rated average of 53 mpg in city driving and 54 mpg on the highway. A redesign last year also gave the Niro a far more stylish exterior than the forgettable form of the previous generation.
The Honda CR-V Hybrid is slightly larger and more expensive than the Niro. It’s a compact SUV versus the subcompact Niro. Serving as Honda’s best-selling model, the CR-V and CR-V Hybrid also benefited from a reboot for the 2023 model year. It continues to have near-class-leading levels of passenger space and cargo volume.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at the highlights of the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Kia Niro.
2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid
The Honda CR-V Hybrid is refined and adaptable to all driving needs. Three trim levels are available: Sport, Sport-L, and Sport Touring. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on the Sport and Sport-L, though all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional for an extra $1,500. The Sport Touring comes standard with AWD.
The combined fuel economy for CR-V Hybrid FWD is an EPA-rated 40 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. The CR-V Hybrid is easy to maneuver on the road thanks to its light steering and good outward visibility. Pricing starts at $35,400, including the $1,350 destination fee.
Honda CR-V Hybrid Highlights
Cargo space: If you have lots of stuff to carry, then be sure to put the CR-V Hybrid on your SUV shopping list. It offers 39.3 cubic feet of volume behind the split-folding rear seat back and 76.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. Very few compact SUVs come close to matching this, and it makes the Honda much roomier than the Kia Niro.
Value-packed Sport-L trim: This is a new addition to the CR-V Hybrid lineup, representing the best value of the bunch. Priced at $38,400, the Sport-L comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, a power liftgate, front and rear parking sensors, satellite radio, a wireless device charging pad, leather seating with orange stitching, and an 8-speaker audio system.
Hill descent control: The CR-V Hybrid won’t let you down if you choose to venture off-road. Thanks to hill descent control, all the driver needs to do is focus on steering while the ute manipulates low-speed throttle and braking inputs as it adjusts to the terrain you’re traversing.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the CR-V Hybrid models for sale near you.
2024 Kia Niro
The Kia Niro knocks it out of the park if you’re looking for a small SUV with excellent mileage. Its combined EPA rating of 53 mpg is exceptional and betters the CR-V Hybrid’s combined fuel economy.
Last year’s makeover gave the Niro a more upscale appearance inside and out. There are five available trims, and pricing starts at $28,315, including destination fees. The Niro can also be had as a plug-in hybrid or full-electric SUV, though we review each of them separately.
Kia Niro Highlights
Dual-screen display: Upper trims have an available dual-screen setup that looks like it came out of a vehicle costing thousands more. Mounted flush alongside the other is a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. They look great and work great, so consider us fans.
Outstanding fuel economy: It bears repeating that the Niro achieves more than 50 mpg in city driving. Very few cars or SUVs come close to matching this level of fuel economy. Yes, the CR-V Hybrid is frugal, but the Niro is downright Scrooge-like when it comes to forking over cash to refuel.
Kia Drive Wise: This bundle of driver aids includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian warning, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Many of these features are extra-cost options on pricer rivals, but they’re standard on the Niro.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Niro models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Honda CR-V Hybrid and Kia Niro are reasonably priced and deliver fuel economy more in line with a typical economy car. They’re equally easy to drive, with supple suspensions and light and accurate steering. They’re also similar regarding safety and infotainment technology.
Conclusion
We like the Kia Niro a lot. It has much to offer car shoppers who want a utility vehicle without the fuel costs or acreage of super-sized SUVs. Equipped with the optional dual-screen display, the Niro’s cabin feels far fancier than its affordable price tag suggests. There are some issues, however. All-wheel drive isn’t available, cargo volume is only okay, and you lose wireless smartphone connectivity with the larger touchscreen.
Maybe now is a good time to mention the CR-V Hybrid is a KBB Best Buy and Best Family Car award winner. This hybrid Honda is about as close to perfection as a compact SUV can get. Larger touchscreens would be welcome, and wireless smartphone connectivity would be nice to have (at least as an option) on the base trim.
These are minor gripes and don’t come anywhere close to making the CR-V Hybrid anything less than an excellent choice. The Honda CR-V Hybrid is easy to recommend if your budget allows it, but the Kia Niro is a more frugal choice thanks to its lower price tag, better fuel economy, and longer warranty.
| 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid | 2024 Kia Niro | |
| Starting Price | $35,400 including destination fee | $28,315 including destination fee |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter gas-electric 4-cylinder | 1.6-liter gas-electric 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 204 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 139 hp @ 5,700 rpm |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 195 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 43 city/36 highway/40 combined | 53 city/54 highway/53 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | NA | 5 star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 inches | 107.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 184.8 inches | 174.0 inches |
| Width | 73.5 inches | 71.8 inches |
| Height | 66.2 inches | 60.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.3 feet | 34.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.0 inches | 40.5 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.2 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.3 inches | 41.5 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 41.0 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.9 inches | 56.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.9 inches | 55.4 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 39.3 cubic feet | 22.8 cubic feet |
