Compare the2026 Hyundai Tucson HybridVS 2025 Kia Niro

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Kia Niro has not been tested.

The Tucson Hybrid has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited has a standard Around 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.

Both the Tucson Hybrid and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid weighs 472 to 849 pounds more than the Kia Niro. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

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

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid 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.

The Tucson Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Niro’s (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 8th.

The Tucson Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 92 more horsepower (231 vs. 139) and 76 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 195) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is faster than the Kia Niro:

The Tucson Hybrid has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (13.7 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Tucson Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

The Tucson Hybrid stops shorter than the Niro:

For better traction, the Tucson Hybrid has larger tires than the Niro (235/65R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Tucson Hybrid Blue SE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro (235/65R17 vs. 225/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson Hybrid Blue SE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson Hybrid’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Niro (108.5 inches vs. 107.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson Hybrid is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Niro.

The Tucson Hybrid’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (59% to 41%) than the Niro’s (61% to 39%). This gives the Tucson Hybrid more stable handling and braking.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited handles at .86 G’s, while the Niro SX pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Niro SX (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Tucson Hybrid has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro (8.3 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Tucson Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Tucson Hybrid has 2.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Niro (107.9 vs. 105.1).

The Tucson Hybrid has 1.2 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear legroom, .9 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Niro’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Tucson Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Niro with its rear seat up (38.7 vs. 22.8 cubic feet). The Tucson Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Niro with its rear seat folded (74.5 vs. 63.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Niro doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Tucson Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Niro doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Tucson Hybrid has a standard Proximity Key that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Niro EX/SX offers a Smart Key.

The Tucson Hybrid’s 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 Tucson Hybrid and the Niro offer available heated front seats. The Tucson Hybrid Limited also has standard 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 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid’s 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 Tucson Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Niro doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and the Kia Niro, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Kia Niro by over six to one during 2024.