SUV hybrid comparison: Toyota C-HR vs Kia Niro

Here we bring you a comparison between two of the best-selling hybrid SUVs on the market right now: the Toyota C-HR and the Kia Niro.

If you want to know more about the Toyota C-HR, you can also check out the four secrets of the Japanese crossover

Design, space and comfort

The Toyota C-HR (if you want to know more about the Japanese crossover: “4 secrets of the Toyota C-HR you didn’t know“) has a distinctly attractive design, and although the Kia Niro doesn’t fall short visually either, the Japanese crossover stands out most in this respect; just look at its rear spoiler, its air intakes, its many aerodynamic creases or its wheels of up to 18 inches on the top-of-the-range versions.

That said, the Kia Niro is the more sensible car. The South Korean crossover places interior space and ergonomics at the top of its list of priorities. The Kia hybrid offers 427 litres of boot capacity (compared with the Toyota’s 377 litres), and its rear seats are considerably more comfortable than those of the C-HR.

Performance: power and consumption

The Kia Niro sits above its rival in terms of performance. In its entry-level version, the South Korean model offers up to 18 CV more power than its Japanese equivalent, which in turn translates into stronger acceleration in everyday driving, although both take the same time to accelerate (11 seconds). The Toyota C-HR comes with a CVT (continuously variable transmission) as standard, while the Kia Niro offers a manual gearbox; the South Korean model’s transmission has a more natural response.

Behind the wheel, the C-HR has a more dynamic setup, which translates into greater stability through corners. By contrast, the Kia Niro is very comfortable to drive.

As for consumption, both models offer exactly the same figure (3.8 litres). It is true that the Toyota C-HR performs better in town while the Kia Niro does better on the open road. It is also worth noting that both can cover a moderate distance in 100% electric mode, that is, without burning a single drop of petrol.

Price and equipment

The base version of the Kia Niro (€25,400) is cheaper than the Toyota C-HR (€27,000). In addition, the South Korean model has a wider range of equipment, especially when it comes to driver assistance systems.
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Technical specifications of the cars in this article

CrossoverToyota C-HR17 versions · from 35,750 €

CrossoverKIA Niro6 versions · from 34,220 €