Thanks to its familiar shape, the Toyota Prius is the car people associate with hybrids. The Kia Niro, on the other hand, has few design cues to tip its hybrid hand. Let’s take a closer look at both.
Some people find the Prius design polarizing, making it unappealing as a daily driver. Others believe it conveys environmental consciousness. It serves as a socially symbolic message during the daily commute.
If you want great gas mileage from an affordable and practical car that doesn’t look like a boomerang on wheels, Kia Niro is worth a look. The Niro employs a design that more SUV-inspired with traditional styling cues.
What are the best things about the Kia Niro?
Kia pitches the Niro as a crossover SUV but doesn’t offer it with all-wheel drive (AWD). Instead, it has an inch or more of ground clearance compared to the PriusThis helps it to get through deeper snow and farther off the beaten path. It also comes with dark tinted rear glass from the factory. This is an important sunlight protection consideration for young children. It also adds privacy. The base price starts at $24,590.
Equipped with a better warranty and a lower base price than the Prius, the Kia Niro is appealing for reasons other than its stylish SUV-inspired design. When properly equipped, the Niro earns a higher safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It also comes with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services related to safety and convenience.
Passenger space is better in the Niro. Also, you can get ventilated front seats in this car. The Kia also has a more powerful drivetrain that uses a dual-clutch automatic instead of a droning continuously variable transmission (CVT). That means it sounds and feels like a normal car instead of a feral cat in heat when you’re accelerating.
What are the best things about the Toyota Prius?
For maximum fuel economy, driving range, and cargo space look no further than the Toyota Prius. These traits are its key benefits. The base Prius costs $24,200.
Every Prius includes standard advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The cheaper base Niro FE doesn’t have them. For 2019, Toyota also debuted a new electronic AWD system. This option improves traction at lower speeds and makes the car more appealing to Snowbelt dwellers.
Toyota offers free scheduled maintenance for the first two years or 25,000 miles of Prius ownership. However, if you want Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you’re out of luck until next-generation infotainment technology arrives. Toyota also restricts its Safety Connect subscription service to the Prius Limited, which includes a large 11.6-inch touchscreen. This setup is bigger than the Niro’s dinky 8-inch display, though a 10.25-inch screen is available.
The Prius does offer exclusive features unavailable in the Kia. They include adaptive headlights, a head-up display, and a semi-autonomous parking assist.
Learn more about the Toyota Prius
Kia Niro vs. Toyota Prius. Which is better?
Between these two cars, the Prius is the more efficient and practical model. Also, though both are competitively priced, it’s more cost-effective over time thanks to Toyota’s high resale value. Plus, the new AWD-e system gives the Prius added traction in places where it frequently snows.
In exchange for maximum efficiency and cargo space, the Kia Niro supplies a genuine sense of style. It also combines greater comfort, better crash protection, and superior infotainment and subscription service offerings. And while it lacks AWD, it does provide more ground clearance for venturing out in winter weather or exploring farther off the beaten path.
Which one is better? In this case, it’s the one you like the most.
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