Kia Niro vs. Kia Optima Hybrid
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Niro and Kia Optima 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 Kia Niro and the Kia Optima Hybrid.
When we compare the Kia Niro's and the Kia Optima Hybrid's specifications and ratings, the Kia Niro has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, resale value and interior volume. The Kia Optima Hybrid has the advantage in the areas of reliability, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Niro's and the Kia Optima Hybrid's specifications and ratings, the Kia Niro is a better car than the Kia Optima Hybrid.
Pricing: A used 2020 Kia Niro ranges from $12,791 to $24,998 while a used 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid is priced between $16,892 to $24,795.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Niro loses 40.4 percent of its value and the Kia Optima Hybrid loses 46.4 percent of its value. This means the Kia Niro retains 6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Optima Hybrid.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Niro is 7.4 out of 10 while the Kia Optima Hybrid's quality rating is 8.5 out of 10.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Niro is 5.6 out of 10. For the Kia Optima Hybrid the reliability rating is 7.9 out of 10. This gives the Kia Optima Hybrid an advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Niro.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Niro’s base engine makes 139 horsepower, and the Kia Optima Hybrid base engine makes 192 horsepower. The Niro is rated to deliver an average of 49 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 547 miles. The Optima Hybrid is rated to deliver an average of 42 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 716 miles.This gives the Kia Niro the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Kia Optima Hybrid the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Niro, a hybrid SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Kia Optima Hybrid, a hybrid midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Kia Optima Hybrid has higher safety ratings than the Kia Niro, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.28 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
24590
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
31781
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
24590 - 37900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
29310
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
30220
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
25870 - 36090
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
19306
Price Range:
12791 - 24998
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
23912
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
19306 - 29045
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
38
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
78516
# Good or Great Deals:
10
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
21345
Price Range:
16892 - 24795
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
23071
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
19426 - 25428
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
9
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
61855
# Good or Great Deals:
2
Kia Niro Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.382003 / 10
Reliability:
5.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.986009 / 10
Safety:
8.6 / 10
Kia Optima Hybrid Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.515151 / 10
Reliability:
7.934766 / 10
Retained Value:
7.610688 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Niro
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
7.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
7.1 - 7.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.081
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Optima Hybrid
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
6.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
6.2 - 8.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.035
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.5809465367861386
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
2.6 - 5.3
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.7659743649690238
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
1.3 - 14.4
Kia Niro Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 32Ranking
1 out of / 28Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 31Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
10 out of / 31Ranking
10 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
13 out of / 36Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
21 out of / 31Ranking
25 out of / 36Ranking
31 out of / 31Ranking
36 out of / 36Kia Optima Hybrid Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
6 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 25Ranking
7 out of / 9Ranking
8 out of / 25Ranking
9 out of / 25Ranking
11 out of / 25Ranking
17 out of / 25Ranking
20 out of / 25Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Hybrid
Kia Niro Trim Levels
EX Premium, LX, LXS, Touring, Touring Special Edition
Kia Optima Hybrid Trim Levels
EX
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 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):
4.28 out of 5 Stars
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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
139 hp @ 5700 rpm
Torque:
195 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.043 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
192 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
271 foot-lbs @ 1770 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
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):
51 / 46 / 49
Range (city/hwy):
607 / 547 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
40 / 45 / 42
Range (city/hwy):
636 / 716 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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
Overall Interior Volume:
120.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
45.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Cargo Space:
13.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
104.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3199 lbs
Width:
71.1 inches
Height:
60.8 inches
Length:
171.5 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3496 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
57.5 inches
Length:
191.1 inches
Wheelbase:
110.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Blue
Deep Cerulean
Red
Runway Red
Silver
Silky Silver
White
Snow White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Blue
Gravity Blue
Red
Runway Red
Silver
Not available
White
Snow White Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
Gray
Gray
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
White
White
