Compare the2025 Kia Niro EVVS 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Kia Niro EV has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Niro EV and the Ioniq 5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

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 Niro EV’s reliability 21 points higher than the Ioniq 5.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 1 place higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The Niro EV’s electric motor produces 33 more horsepower (201 vs. 168) than the Ioniq 5 Standard Range’s standard electric motor.

The Niro EV can travel longer on a full charge than the Ioniq 5 on a full charge:

The Niro EV stops much shorter than the Ioniq 5:

The Niro EV’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ioniq 5 XRT’s standard 60 series tires.

The Niro EV Wave handles at .87 G’s, while the Ioniq 5 SEL AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Niro EV’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the Ioniq 5’s (34.8 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The Niro EV’s turning circle is 5.9 feet tighter than the Ioniq 5 N’s (34.8 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The Kia Niro EV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 1150 pounds less than the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The Niro EV is 9.3 inches shorter than the Ioniq 5, making the Niro EV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Niro EV has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Ioniq 5 with its rear seat folded (63.7 vs. 58.5 cubic feet).

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Niro EV to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Hyundai doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Ioniq 5.

The Niro EV’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Ioniq 5’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the Niro EV’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Ioniq 5’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Niro EV has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Ioniq 5 SEL/Limited/XRT/N offers wireless charging.

Insurance will cost less for the Niro EV owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Niro EV will cost $555 to $2820 less than the Ioniq 5 over a five-year period.

The Niro EV will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Niro EV will retain 54.32% to 55.04% of its original price after five years, while the Ioniq 5 only retains 46.72% to 48.8%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Niro EV, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 isn't recommended.