Compare the2026 Lexus NXVS 2025 Kia Niro

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

Safety

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In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus NX achieved a “Good” rating - the 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 NX offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The NX Premium/Luxury/F Sport offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro 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 Lexus NX’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Kia Niro does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the NX 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Lexus NX weighs 698 to 1404 pounds more than the Kia Niro. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

	NX	Niro
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	233	241
Neck Compression	41 lbs.	57 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	285	362
Neck Compression	64 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 Lexus NX is safer than the Kia Niro:

	NX	Niro
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	43	182
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	96 lbs.	246 lbs.
Hip Force	238 lbs.	424 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	134	392
Spine Acceleration	47 G’s	81 G’s
Hip Force	600 lbs.	919 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	380	474

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

The Lexus NX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Niro has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Warranty

The NX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Niro’s (6/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

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 Lexus NX Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 13 points higher than the Niro and the Lexus NX is rated 32 points higher than the Niro.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the NX second among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Niro isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 8th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 56 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 11th.

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

Engine

The NX 350h AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 101 more horsepower (240 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The NX 350 AWD’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 136 more horsepower (275 vs. 139) and 122 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 195) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The NX 450h+ Premium AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 165 more horsepower (304 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 350h AWD is faster than the Kia Niro:

	NX	Niro
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	9.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89 MPH	81.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the NX running on electricity gets better mileage than the Niro:

			MPGe
NX
	AWD	450h+ Premium AWD Electric Motors	93 city/75 hwy
Niro
			MPG
	FWD	1.6 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/54 hwy
		Touring 1.6 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/45 hwy

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Niro can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Both the NX and Niro have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The NX (except NX 350h/450h+) has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The NX has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (14.5 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus NX 350 AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Niro.

The NX offers an available 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 NX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

	NX	Niro
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	12.5 inches	10.3 inches

The NX’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 are solid, not vented.

The NX stops shorter than the Niro:

	NX	Niro
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	144 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the NX has larger tires than the Niro (235/60R18 vs. 205/60R16). The NX’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 NX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The NX’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Niro doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The NX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Niro’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the NX is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Niro.

The NX 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Niro SX (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro (7.7 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the NX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The NX’s minimum ground clearance is 1.8 inches higher than on the Niro (8.1 vs. 6.3 inches).

Passenger Space

The NX has 3 inches more front hip room and .1 inches more front shoulder room than the Niro.

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

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the NX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Niro doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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

Towing

The NX offers up to a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the NX 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 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 60% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

Ergonomics

The NX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Niro has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The NX’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’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Niro SX’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The NX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key is only offered on the Niro EX/SX, and doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The NX’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 Niro’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The NX’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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX Luxury/450+ F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Niro doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the NX Luxury/450+ F Sport has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Niro doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The NX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Niro offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Lexus NX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Niro EX Touring/SX/SX Touring.

The NX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Niro EX/SX. The NX 350 Luxury/350h Luxury/350h F Sport also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Niro.

Compared to traditional radio, the Lexus NX’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.

The NX Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Niro doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Lexus NX retains 61.59% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 52.89% resale value of the 2025 Kia Niro after five years, which can save the Lexus’ owner.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus NX as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus NX outsold the Kia Niro by over two to one during 2024.

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