Compare the2026 Toyota Rav4VS 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

The Rav4 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 Rav4 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Rav4 Woodland/XSE/Limited/GR Sport has a standard Panoramic View Camera/Multi-Terrain 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.

Both the Rav4 and the Niro Plug-In Hybrid 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available driver alert monitors.

The Rav4’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 Rav4 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 Rav4’s warranty.

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 Rav4’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 46 more horsepower (226 vs. 180) than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Rav4’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 56 more horsepower (236 vs. 180) than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Rav4’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 144 more horsepower (324 vs. 180) than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE/XSE can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 52 miles. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 33 miles.

The Rav4 has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (14.5 vs. 9.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Rav4 has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The Rav4 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 Rav4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Rav4 has larger tires than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (235/65R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Rav4 LE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (235/65R17 vs. 225/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Rav4 LE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid EX. The Rav4 XSE’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid SX.

The Rav4 has a standard space-saver spare tire 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 Plug-In Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 GR Sport has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (7.5 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 Woodland’s minimum ground clearance is 2.2 inches higher than on the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (8.5 vs. 6.3 inches).

The Rav4 has 2 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4’s rear seats recline. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (37.8 vs. 19.4 cubic feet). The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Niro Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat folded (70.4 vs. 54.6 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Rav4 has a 1750 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Rav4’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 Rav4 the driver can close all of them 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 Rav4’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 Toyota Rav4 stands out above the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and one of them provide more flexibility.

The Rav4 Woodland has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, 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 Rav4 (except LE/SE/XLE)’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Kia Niro by over 14 to one during 2024.