Subaru Forester vs. Kia Niro
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Forester and Kia Niro 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 Subaru Forester and the Kia Niro.
In comparing the Subaru Forester's and the Kia Niro's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of resale value, interior volume and base engine power. The Kia Niro has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Forester's and the Kia Niro's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2025 Subaru Forester ranges from $35,568 to $45,694 while a used 2025 Kia Niro is priced between $24,995 to $34,091. For a new model, the Subaru Forester's price is between $37,165 and $46,234, with the Kia Niro priced between $27,660 and $35,676.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru Forester loses 39.5 percent of its value and the Kia Niro loses 47.1 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Forester retains 7.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Niro.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru Forester’s base engine makes 194 horsepower, and the Kia Niro base engine makes 139 horsepower. The Forester is rated to deliver an average of 35 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 564 miles. The Niro is rated to deliver an average of 49 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 500 miles.This gives the Kia Niro the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Subaru Forester the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru Forester has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Kia Niro has the advantage in the areas of front head room, rear head room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Subaru Forester has higher safety ratings than the Kia Niro, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.45 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
37165 - 46234
Starting MSRP:
36595
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
35699
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
28495 - 44565
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
27660 - 35676
Starting MSRP:
26990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
34375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
26990 - 41645
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
40574
Price Range:
35568 - 45694
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
39518
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
33748 - 52824
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
10513
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
922
# Good or Great Deals:
415
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
29583
Price Range:
24995 - 34091
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
32749
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
29583 - 35915
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
14536
Depreciation %:
0.39721732
Resale Value $:
22059
Residual Value %:
0.60278268
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
0.36835733
Category Depreciation Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
0.30618901 - 0.53124407
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
12849
Depreciation %:
0.47607915
Resale Value $:
14141
Residual Value %:
0.52392085
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
0.47606314
Category Depreciation Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
0.46254751 - 0.47607915
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Kia Niro Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
7.4 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Forester
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
11.0
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
7.5 - 14.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Niro
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
14.991300032850205
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
3.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
2.2 - 19.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.097170052193501
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
5.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
5.0 - 5.2
Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 31Ranking
3 out of / 14Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 31Ranking
4 out of / 31Ranking
4 out of / 31Ranking
4 out of / 14Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
7 out of / 14Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 14Ranking
8 out of / 14Ranking
10 out of / 31Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 28Ranking
12 out of / 31Ranking
13 out of / 36Ranking
13 out of / 14Ranking
14 out of / 36Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
17 out of / 31Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 31Ranking
25 out of / 36Ranking
27 out of / 36Ranking
27 out of / 31Ranking
32 out of / 36Kia 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 / 36Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Hybrid
Subaru Forester Trim Levels
Limited Hybrid, Premium Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Touring Hybrid
Kia Niro Trim Levels
EX, EX Touring, LX, SX, SX Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 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:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.45 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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
194 hp
Torque:
Not yet available
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 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):
0.045 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
35 / 34 / 35
Range (city/hwy):
581 / 564 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):
53 / 45 / 49
Range (city/hwy):
588 / 500 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
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
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
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
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Cargo Space:
27.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
69.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
134.1 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.4 inches
Cargo Space:
22.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
63.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
127.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3873 lbs
Width:
81.2 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
183.3 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3071 lbs
Width:
71.8 inches
Height:
60.8 inches
Length:
174 inches
Wheelbase:
107.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/55R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Beige
River Rock Pearl
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Daybreak Blue Pearl
Gold
Brilliant Bronze Metallic
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Green
Autumn Green Metallic
Red
Crimson Red Pearl
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Blue
Not available
Gold
Not available
Gray
Interstellar Gray / Steel Gray
Green
Not available
Red
Runway Red
Silver
Not available
White
Snow White Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
Gray
Not available
