2025 Hyundai Kona vs. 2025 Kia Niro

There's never been an easier time to find a subcompact SUV on the market, especially with players like Hyundai and Kia releasing models including the Kona and Niro. In 2025, comparing the Kia Niro vs. Hyundai Kona makes perfect sense for drivers wanting something affordable, sleek, and reliable, with both SUVs offering unique features inside and out. In this post, we aim to explain the 2025 Kia Niro vs. 2025 Hyundai Kona to you, so please stick around as we dive in.

2025 Hyundai Kona vs. 2025 Kia Niro: At a Glance

Getting into the 2025 Kia Niro vs. Hyundai Kona, you see better pricing with the Kona SUV and better engine performance. The Niro comes standard with a hybrid engine, offering an impressive MPG of 53 combined. The Kona comes standard with a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter engine or the available turbocharged 190-horsepower 1.6-liter engine.

Interior Comparison

Looking at the interior comparison of the 2025 Kia Niro vs. Hyundai Kona SUV, both models are subcompact in size and prioritize sleek, easy-to-clean materials.

2025 Hyundai Kona

With the Kona, you have things like cloth seats, a 6-way adjustable driver seat, a 60/40 split fold-down seatback with adjustable head restraint and 2-stage recline, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, dual rear and front USB charging outlets, and the Bluelink® Connected Car System standard. It also has great dimensions.

Total passenger volume: 99-101.2 cubic feet

2025 Kia Niro

Inside, the 2025 Kia Niro will offer standard features like woven cloth seat trim, a 6-way manual driver's seat, 60/40 rear folding seats, sound-absorbing windshield glass, black interior accents, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen.

Total passenger volume: 105.1 cubic feet

Exterior Comparison

The outside of the 2025 Kia Niro vs. Hyundai Kona is most different, with the Kona taking a more luxurious and futuristic aesthetic when compared to the Niro and other subcompact SUVs in its class. Many would argue that the Hyundai Kona is more attractive than the Niro throughout all its trims, as it has seen a recent redesign.

2025 Hyundai Kona

Here are some things you can expect outside the 2025 Kona standard:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 215/60R17 tires
• LED Projector Combination headlights
• LED Combination taillights
• Bodycolor exterior mirrors
• Black body cladding
• Active grille shutters

2025 Kia Niro

Here is what you can expect outside the 2025 Niro standard:

• 16-inch Aero alloy wheels
• 205/60R16 tires
• Tire Mobility Kit
• Projector beam headlights
• LED head and taillights
• Matte black wheel arch molding
• Bodycolor door handles

2025 Kia Niro vs. Hyundai Kona Performance

The performance of the Hyundai Kona vs. Kia Niro will be different because of their unique engine configurations. The Kona offers two engine configurations, one of which is the N Line performance option, providing better speed and performance than the Niro.

2025 Hyundai Kona

The Kona's base engine is a 2.0-liter MPI-Atkinson 4-cylinder, making 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. It comes standard with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) and will be FWD (AWD is available). The higher-trim engine is a 1.6-liter Turbo-GDI 4-cylinder, making 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It comes standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission (8AT) and will be FWD (AWD is available).

2025 Kia Niro

The 2025 Kia Niro comes standard with a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder gas engine paired with an electric motor making 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It will also be paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and be FWD.

Fuel Efficiency Comparison

The 2025 Kia Niro vs. Hyundai Kona have competitive fuel efficiency ratings, with the Niro being a standard hybrid. That does mean better MPG for Kia, but Hyundai still offers competitive fuel economy alongside its much better engine performance.

2025 Hyundai Kona MPG by Trim Level

City/Highway/Combined (FWD)

• SE: 29 / 34 / 31
• SEL: 28 / 35 / 31
• SEL Convenience: 28 / 35 / 31
• N Line S: 26 / 32 / 28
• N Line: 26 / 32 / 28
• Limited: 26 / 32 / 28

City/Highway/Combined (AWD)

• SE: 27 / 29 / 28
• SEL: 26 / 29 / 27
• SEL Convenience: 26 / 29 / 27
• N Line S: 24 / 29 / 26
• N Line: 24 / 29 / 26
• Limited: 24 / 29 / 26

2025 Kia Niro MPG by Trim Level

16-inch Alloy Wheels (City/Highway/Combined)

• LX: 53 / 54 / 53
• EX: 53 / 54 / 53
• EX Touring: N/A
• SX: 53 / 54 / 53
• SX Touring: N/A

18-inch Alloy Wheels (City/Highway/Combined)

• LX: N/A
• EX: N/A
• EX Touring: 53 / 45 / 49
• SX: N/A
• SX Touring: 53 / 45 / 49

2025 Kia Niro vs. Hyundai Kona Safety and Technology

There is endless safety and technology to get excited about inside the 2025 Kia Niro vs. Hyundai Kona. You have more attractive base offerings inside the Hyundai, including a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, so that is a nice upgrade if you go with Kona.

2025 Hyundai Kona

• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Warning (BCW)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped) and Cyclist Detection
• Lane Following Assist (LFA)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
• Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)

Technology includes a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, HD Radio, SiriusXM, Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, Cruise Control, and USB charging at the front and rear.

2025 Kia Niro

• Blind-Spot Collision Warning w/ Parallel Exit
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/ Car & Pedestrian Detection
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Lane Following Assist
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
• Driver Attention Warning w/ Leading Vehicle Departure Alert
• Rear Occupant Alert
• Safe Exit Warning

Some standard technology you can expect with the Niro is an 8.0-inch touchscreen display, 4.3-inch instrument display, 6-speaker audio system, Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, and front/rear USB charging.

Pricing and Value

The price points of the 2025 Kia Niro vs. Hyundai Kona are different, with the Kia costing more to begin with. Starting MSRPs with Kia will be $26,990, while the 2025 Kona retails for $24,450.

2025 Hyundai Kona

Here is a trim levels breakdown with their respective prices:

• SE: $24,450
• SEL: $25,800
• SEL Convenience: $28,000
• N Line S: $29,450
• N Line: $31,000
• Limited: $32,000

2025 Kia Niro

Here is your trim breakdown for the 2025 Kia Niro:

• LX: $26,990
• EX: $29,790
• EX Touring: $32,090
• SX: $32,990
• SX Touring: $35,390

Choosing the Right Model For You

If you are torn between the 2025 Hyundai Kona vs. Kia Niro, the Kona offers more value for money. As we shared, it costs less to start, offers better performance, has multiple engine configurations, and has a sleek, future-forward design that the competition doesn't.

Get Your Hyundai Kona at Granite Hyundai

With this comparison between the Kia Niro vs. Hyundai Kona over, there is no better Hyundai dealer to head to than ours, Granite Hyundai of Somersworth, NH. We have plenty of Konas to share and an open sales center every day of the week. Drive safe, and we'll see you soon.