2019 Review: Kia Niro vs Hyundai IONIQ

The Kia Niro and the Hyundai Ioniq have developed a reputation as two of 2019’s stand-out cars. Both have a lot going for them. But which would work best for you? We reveal all in this comparison of two very close rivals.

SUV OR HATCHBACK?

Despite being classed as a SUV and hatchback the Kia Niro and the Hyundai Ioniq don’t look as dissimilar as you might expect. That might be because the Kia Niro is at the smaller end of the SUV style with a curved roofline, hood and side panels.

Depending on the trim, the car comes with:

Despite its hatchback body style, the Hyundai Ioniq bears some similarity to the curvy Kia Niro in that its streamline shape was clearly designed with aerodynamics in mind. This helps the car to squeeze out every last drop of energy regardless of the power source you choose.

Exact specs vary depending which trim you go for but each car comes with:

HOW MUCH ROOM DOES EACH VEHICLE PROVIDE?

The Hyundai Ioniq is the larger of the two cars measuring 4.7m long by 2.05m wide in comparison to the Kia Niro which is slightly shorter at 4.35m by 1.8m. With its SUV build, the Kia Niro measures 1.55m, ten centimeters taller than the Hyundai Ioniq at 1.45m.

These measurements translate to a larger boot space in the Hyundai Ioniq which provides 443 litres in contrast to the Kia Niro’s smaller capacity at 382 litres. However, both cars offer split rear seats so you can put the single or double seat down to create more room.

Which of these cars will work best for you depends on your lifestyle. Got a dog and/or children or need to carry a lot of cargo? You might need the bigger boot provided by the Hyundai. Or perhaps leaning in and out to unbuckle child seats means more head room is a must. In that case, the Niro could be the car for you.

EXCITING IN-CAR TECHNOLOGY

As you’d expect from two of the market’s latest vehicles, there’s lots of technology in these cars. Below are just some of the features available:

As you’d expect from leading manufacturers, there’s not much to choose between the two in relation to in-car entertainment. However, the Hyundai Ioniq does have a few more driver assistance features that the Niro doesn’t have. How much weight you place on these elements could be a deciding factor.

PUNCHY PERFORMANCE ACROSS THE RANGE

Speed from a standing start is the measure we’ve used here to compare performance which varies slightly depending on the drivetrain you opt for. The Hyundai Ioniq is available from Tusker as an electric, plug-in hybrid or diesel car and the Kia Niro as a diesel or plug-in hybrid. Both provide the following 0-62mph speeds:

• Kia Niro diesel – 9.2 seconds
• Kia Niro plug-in hybrid – 10.8 seconds
• Hyundai Ioniq electric – 9.7 seconds
• Hyundai Ioniq diesel plug-in hybrid – 10.6 seconds
• Hyundai Ioniq diesel – 10.8 seconds

As you can see, there’s very little difference in performance between these two cars and the various energy sources. Which takes you back to body style and boot space as the big differentiators between these two vehicles.