Hyundai Kona vs Kia Niro

Perhaps you’re looking for a hot new crossover that offers tons of interior space, engine power, performance features, and of course, plenty of good looks. In that case, we’re eager to introduce this Hyundai Kona vs. Kia Niro comparison to you.

Both crossovers fit the bill for your daily drives around Cerritos, Puente Hills, and Anaheim, CA, but which is the better choice for you? Our team here at Norm Reeves Hyundai Superstore Cerritos wrote this article to answer that very question. We encourage you to keep reading or get in touch with us to learn more!

Hyundai Kona vs Kia Niro: Enhanced Protection

When you’re looking for a new vehicle, it’s important you’re selecting a ride that can keep you fully protected on the open road.

Luckily, the new Hyundai Kona comes standard with the following protection features:

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA): Measures the distance between you and frontal obstacles, alerting you when you’re too close. If needed, it applies the brakes to help avoid a collision.
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): Alerts you to unintentional lane sway to help you stay firmly on track.
Driver Attention Warning (DAW): Detects distracted or drowsy driving and urges you to take a break.

The Kia Niro does have similar safety systems to offer you, but you’ll have to upgrade to a higher trim level if you’d like to make them available.

Power and Performance in These Crossovers

Moving on, we’ll cover power and performance. After all, once we’ve established that you’re able to bring your friends, family, and cargo along for the ride, it’s time to find out what that ride will be like.

In the Hyundai Kona, your ride is sure to be exhilarating. That’s because the SE, SEL, and SEL Plus trim levels feature a 147-horsepower 2.0L MPI Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder engine. If you’re looking for a bit of a boost, upgrade to the Limited or Ultimate trims and enjoy a 175-horsepower 1.6L Turbo GDI 4-cylinder engine. Though it’s hard to believe, that’s just the beginning of the performance in this exciting crossover! Check it out:

Drivetrain: Choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), as well as between a 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® or a 7-speed EcoShift® Dual Clutch Transmission.
Other Systems: Drive Mode Select, 4-wheel disc brakes, anti-lock braking system, and more.

In the same vein, the Kia Niro offers a 1.6L GDI engine as well. However, it falls significantly short of the two powertrains in the Kona since it only outputs 104 horsepower. Additionally, only a 6-speed automatic transmission is available on this crossover.

Plenty of Good Looks to Spare

Last, but certainly not least, the Kona’s exterior color palette is the icing on the cake. Trust us—options like Surf Blue, Sunset Orange, Sonic Silver, Pulse Red, and Lime Twist are sure to turn some heads.

On the other hand, the Kia Niro’s palette is a bit duller with standard colors being offered, like Snow White Pearl and Aurora Black Pearl.