Compare the2026 Toyota Prius Plug-In HybridVS 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE Premium offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid 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.

The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Prius Plug-In Hybrid and the Niro Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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 Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid runs out after 100,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Prius Plug-In Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

There are over 55 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

The battery on the Prius Plug-In Hybrid is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 50 points higher than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 11th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (220 vs. 180) than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid is faster than the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the Prius Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the Prius Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine:

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 39 to 44 miles. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 33 miles.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid:

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid stops shorter than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Prius Plug-In Hybrid SE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE/Nightshade’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid SX.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (108.3 inches vs. 107.1 inches).

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE handles at .82 G’s, while the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has .9 inches more front legroom and 1.4 inches more front hip room than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has a larger cargo volume than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (20.3 vs. 19.4 cubic feet).

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Prius Plug-In Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Niro Plug-In Hybrid can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE Premium’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid and the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend selected the Prius Plug-In Hybrid as their 2024 Car of the Year. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Prius as the 2024 North American Car of the Year. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has never been chosen.

The Toyota Prius outsold the Kia Niro by 32% during 2024.