Compare the2025 Honda CR-VVS 2025 Kia Niro

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Honda CR-V has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Niro doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The CR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Niro’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda CR-V achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Kia Niro has not been tested.

The CR-V offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the CR-V and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Kia Niro:

	CR-V	Niro
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	211	241
Neck Injury Risk	17.1%	29%
Neck Stress	181 lbs.	201 lbs.
Neck Compression	48 lbs.	57 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	357	362
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Compression	37 lbs.	120 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Kia Niro:

	CR-V	Niro
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	72	182
Chest Movement	.8 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	115 lbs.	246 lbs.
Hip Force	347 lbs.	424 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	71	392
Spine Acceleration	51 G’s	81 G’s
Hip Force	613 lbs.	919 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
HIC	302	474

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The CR-V’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Niro runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 34 percent more Honda dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the CR-V’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Honda CR-V’s reliability 16 points higher than the Niro.

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

Engine

The CR-V’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 more horsepower (190 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The CR-V Hybrid’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 65 more horsepower (204 vs. 139) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (247 vs. 195) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda CR-V is faster than the Kia Niro:

	CR-V turbo 4 cyl.	CR-V Hybrid	Niro
Zero to 60 MPH	8.7 sec	7.6 sec	9.1 sec
Quarter Mile	16.7 sec	16.2 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	86.4 MPH	81.5 MPH	81.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the CR-V and Niro have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The CR-V (except CR-V Hybrid) has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The CR-V has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (14 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CR-V has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Niro doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

The CR-V 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 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CR-V’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

	CR-V	Niro
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	10.3 inches

The CR-V stops shorter than the Niro:

	CR-V	Niro
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CR-V has larger tires than the Niro (235/60R18 vs. 205/60R16). The CR-V’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro (235/60R18 vs. 225/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CR-V LX has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring.

The CR-V has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Hybrid) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Niro; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CR-V is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Niro.

The CR-V EX-L AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Niro SX (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CR-V has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro (8.2 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the CR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The CR-V uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Niro doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The CR-V has 2.3 inches more front hip room, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CR-V’s rear seats recline. The Niro’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Niro with its rear seat up (39.3 vs. 22.8 cubic feet). The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Niro with its rear seat folded (76.5 vs. 63.7 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CR-V. The Niro doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The CR-V has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 41% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

Ergonomics

The CR-V’s standard front power windows 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’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. The CR-V EX-L/Sport L/Sport Touring’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches. With the Niro SX’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The CR-V has a standard Pushbutton Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Niro EX/SX offers a Smart Key.

The CR-V’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Niro’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

Compared to traditional radio, the Honda CR-V’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Niro EX/SX.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda CR-V and the Kia Niro, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The CR-V was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “5Best Trucks/10Best” for 2025 and 5 more times in the last 24 years. The Niro has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The Niro has never been chosen.

The Honda CR-V outsold the Kia Niro by almost 12 to one during 2024.

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