Kia Sportage vs. Kia Niro: which is better?
Discover the differences between the Sportage & Niro
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Kia Niro vs. Sportage – two of the Korean brand’s most popular cars.
They’re spacious, comfortable and won’t break the bank.
Think of the Sportage as the older brother that’s more sensible and taller, and the Niro is more like the cheeky younger brother that knows more than he lets on.
But which is better for you? Find out in our in-depth comparison:
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Kia Sportage vs. Niro: Full comparison
The main difference between these two models is the size. The Niro is the smaller car, rivalling the likes of the Tesla Model Y, whereas the Sportage’s main rival is the Nissan Qashqai.
Having said this, they’re more closely related than you may think, so it’s tricky to choose between them.
Does the Kia Sportage or Niro have better style?
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Style is subjective but both follow the same general design language. Sharp angles and aggressive headlights mean they stand out in a crowd of more rounded SUVs, in a good way.
The Sportage has a more pronounced front end, with larger angled headlights and a large prominent grille.
Whereas the Niro is a little more understated, with a thin upper grille and larger fish-like mouth below.
Inside, they’re both very similar, but the Niro is more playful and the Sportage offers more tech.
Which drives better: Sportage or Niro?
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Both the Sportage and Niro offer great visibility over the road ahead, but if you like to see that little bit more, the Sportage should be your pick.
The Niro, even in its most basic form, is a pleasant car to drive with a nifty lane-keep assist feature which helps keep you in the lane.
It also benefits from a very quiet cabin with minimal road and engine noise.
The Sportage shares some of the driving feel of the Niro but feels more refined. Kia has thrown all its got at this more premium model to compete against the Qashqai, and it makes a strong case.
With driving aids such as a blind-spot collision avoidance assist, as well as strong safety features, there’s very little to put you off about this family SUV.
What are the interiors like in the Kia Sportage vs Niro?
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Kia knows how to make a great car interior. Being in the game for more than 70 years, it comes naturally at this point. But newer models are more modern, clean and functional than ever.
You get a smaller eight-inch central screen in the Niro, upgraded in the Sportage to a 12.3-inch one. They’re powered by the same Kia infotainment software which runs smoothly and can be connected to via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
We also like that Kias trims are numbered, starting with ‘1’ so you always know where your car’s trim level sits in the wider model range.
Kia Sportage vs. Niro: Size comparison
This is where the two really differ. The Sportage is clearly a bigger car – a full-size SUV – but that’s not to say the Niro is small.
Kia Sportage
Length: 4515mm
Width: 1825mm
Height: 1645mm
Boot space: 540 litres
Kia Niro
Length: 4420mm
Width: 1820mm
Height: 1570mm
Boot space: 451 litres
Niro vs. Sportage: which has more boot space?
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Being the larger SUV, the Sportage pips the Niro with its 540-litre boot compared to the Niro’s 451 litres.
While the Niro’s boot may be smaller, you still get a wide loading bay that’s ideal for suitcases and larger items such as flat-pack furniture.
Which model is more reliable – the Sportage or the Niro?
Kia and reliability go together like scones and clotted cream. For decades, Kia has been making solid cars that never miss a beat, and these two are no different. Kia scores well in reliability and satisfaction surveys, and you get the famous seven-year warranty, which is never a bad thing.
Under Euro NCAP’s stricter testing rules, the Sportage scored five stars while the Niro got a still respectable four out of five.
What is the best model: Kia Sportage or Niro?
Still can’t decide which is best? Here’s a short conclusion for each to help make your informed decision:
You should buy a used Kia Sportage if...
> you need the extra boot space
> you’re after a larger cabin
> you want more features
You should buy a used Kia Niro if...
> you’re after a more compact car
> you prefer the styling
> you have a smaller budget
Used Kia Sportage vs. used Kia Niro: which should you buy?
Now you’ve decided which Kia SUV you want, why not check out our range of used Kia Sportage and used Kia Niro cars?
With a wide range of trims and specs on offer, you could stumble across your dream car.