If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, you’re spoilt for choice. Do you get a sedan, hatchback, SUV, or crossover? Do you go for a hybrid-, electric-, or fuel-powered car? The range of options can be overwhelming, so it’s important to do your research by looking at reviews online, comparing specs, and taking each car for a test drive. Consider what features are important to you and ensure that the vehicle you choose meets your needs.
Owing to the ever-growing popularity of compact crossover SUVs, you’ve likely already narrowed down your search to two of the top contenders in the compact crossover SUV class — the 2023 Kia Niro and the 2023 Hyundai Kona. Both vehicles offer an impressive range of standard features, great fuel economy, and sleek modern exteriors. But which one is right for you? Let’s pit these two vehicles against each other in several categories to help you decide.
Performance and Fuel Economy
What’s under the hood can make all the difference, especially if you’re looking for a powerful and responsive ride. So, let’s take a sneak peek at what these hotly contested vehicles have tucked away in their engine bays.
The 2023 Kia Niro offers a hybrid 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that churns out 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid variant of the Niro also offers an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack for a combined output of 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Hyundai Kona does a little better in terms of power output. It comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, while the turbocharged variant packs a punch with 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. A 1.6-liter turbo-four is also available, which achieves 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
Although the Kona takes the lead in power output, the Niro offers a more balanced driving experience with its hybrid setup. The Niro also achieves better fuel economy than the Kona, with an estimated 53 mpg in the city and 54 mpg on the highway. Compare this to the estimated 30 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway of the Kona, and the Niro eclipses its rival in terms of fuel efficiency.
All things considered, the 2023 Kia Niro offers a great balance of power and fuel economy that makes it an attractive choice. With its hybrid setup, the Niro offers drivers a powerful and efficient drive, giving you more bang for your buck. The Kona is no slouch either, with its higher power output and turbocharged engine options. But if fuel economy is your main concern, the Niro is a great choice.
Interior, Infotainment, and Connectivity
Nowadays, modern vehicles come equipped with all the latest in creature comforts and tech goodies to make life on the road a little more enjoyable. Both the 2023 Kia Niro and 2023 Hyundai Kona have plenty to offer in this category.
The Niro comes standard with cloth upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, and a six-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. A 10.25-inch digital infotainment screen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard, as does a wireless smartphone charging station.
The 2023 Hyundai Kona also offers a good selection of interior features, including cloth upholstery, a six-speaker AM/FM stereo, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the Kona doesn’t offer dual-zone automatic climate control or a power-adjustable driver’s seat; instead, it offers manual air conditioning and manually adjustable front seats. Furthermore, the Kona has an 8-inch infotainment screen, which is slightly smaller than the Niro’s 10.25-inch screen. The Niro wins in this category, offering more features and a larger display than the Kona.
Safety Features
On the safety front, both vehicles come equipped with a good selection of safety features, so it’s hard to pick one that’s definitively better than the other.
The Niro boasts a long list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, and a forward collision warning system with automatic emergency braking. Additionally, the Niro has several optional safety features, such as adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode.
The Kona also comes with a good selection of standard safety systems, such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and a driver-attention monitor. However, the Kona offers fewer optional safety features than the Niro, with the only available option being adaptive cruise control, which lacks a semi-autonomous driving mode.
Cargo and Seating
Regarding cargo and seating, the Niro offers plenty of flexibility. It provides 45.8 cubic feet of total cargo space plus 22.8 cubic feet of space behind the second row of seats. This is significantly more than what the Kona offers, which is only 19.2 cubic feet with all seats in place and a maximum of 45.8 cubic feet with the second row folded, same as the Niro.
In terms of interior space, the Kia Niro also has more legroom in the second row than the Hyundai Kona. The Niro offers an extra 4.6 inches of legroom in the second row at 39.8 inches. So, if you’re one to tote around friends and family or require extra room for your own needs, the Niro is a great choice.
Price
The last factor to consider when comparing the Niro and Kona is price. The Hyundai Kona starts at a slightly lower MSRP of $23,285 compared with the Kia Niro’s starting MSRP of $27,785. However, you do get what you pay for in terms of additional features and performance with the Niro.
Which Is the Better Option?
Overall, the 2023 Kia Niro is an excellent choice for those who need a powerful and efficient ride that also offers plenty of space. The Niro has a slightly higher price tag than the Kona, but it does come with a few additional features and a more fuel-efficient drive. Plus, you get plenty of cargo and seating space to give you the flexibility you need. The Niro is an excellent choice for those who want more bang for their buck.
Tom Kadlec Kia of Rochester, Minnesota, is your source for all things Kia. From getting pre-qualified for financing to scheduling your first service appointment, our knowledgeable and friendly staff is here to assist you all the way. Contact us to schedule a test drive of the 2023 Kia Niro today. We look forward to hearing from you.
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