Ford C-MAX Hybrid vs. Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford C-MAX Hybrid and Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Ford C-MAX Hybrid and the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid.
When comparing the Ford C-MAX Hybrid's and the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid's specifications and ratings, the Ford C-MAX Hybrid has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Ford C-MAX Hybrid's and the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid's specifications and ratings, the Ford C-MAX Hybrid is a better car than the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid.
Pricing: A used 2018 Ford C-MAX Hybrid ranges from $8,314 to $19,926 while a used 2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid is priced between $13,539 to $23,647.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford C-MAX Hybrid’s base engine makes 188 horsepower, and the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid base engine makes 139 horsepower. The C-MAX Hybrid is rated to deliver an average of 40 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 513 miles. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid is rated to deliver an average of 46 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 523 miles. This gives the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford C-MAX Hybrid. The C-MAX Hybrid uses regular unleaded, and the Niro Plug-In Hybrid uses electricity, regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford C-MAX Hybrid has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space. The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and rear leg room. The Ford C-MAX Hybrid and Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid are comparable in regards to rear shoulder room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$24,120
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$27,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
$29,347
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
$23,340 - $36,800
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$14,083
Price Range:
$8,314 - $19,926
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
27
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
92,249
# Good or Great Deals:
8
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$18,731
Price Range:
$13,539 - $23,647
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
$19,095
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
$16,435 - $22,118
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
12
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
63,985
# Good or Great Deals:
5
Ford C-MAX Hybrid Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.1 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford C-MAX Hybrid
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
3.8%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.2
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
2.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
1.9 - 4.4
Ford C-MAX Hybrid Rankings
Not yet available
Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid Rankings
Ranking
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29 out of / 32Available Body Styles
Wagon
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
Ford C-MAX Hybrid Trim Levels
SE, Titanium
Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid Trim Levels
EX, EX Premium, LX
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
188 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
Not yet available
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
139 hp @ 5700 rpm
Torque:
195 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.041 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
42 / 38 / 40
Range (city/hwy):
567 / 513 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
48 / 44 / 46
Range (city/hwy):
568 / 523 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.2 inches
Cargo Space:
24.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
52.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
124.2 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.2 inches
Cargo Space:
19.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
54.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
120.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3607 lbs
Width:
82.1 inches
Height:
63.9 inches
Length:
173.6 inches
Wheelbase:
104.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3391 lbs
Width:
71.1 inches
Height:
60.8 inches
Length:
171.5 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/50R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Shadow Black
Blue
Blue
Gold
White Gold
Gray
Magnetic
Red
Hot Pepper Red Metallic Clearcoat
Silver
Ingot Silver
White
Oxford White / White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Blue
Gravity Blue
Gold
Not available
Gray
Platinum Graphite
Red
Not available
Silver
Silky Silver
White
Snow White Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal Black
Gray
Medium Light Stone
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
Gray
Light Gray/Electric Blue Accent
