Kia Niro vs Hyundai Kona Electric
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 22 Oct 2026, price 15 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Kia Niro: we're still completing price, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, transmission and warranty, plus 3 others.
Hyundai Kona Electric: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h, warranty and braked towing.
Blank cells below mean we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
No price
- no option data for this car
$46,000RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the Kia Niro & Hyundai Kona Electric
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Kia Niro
- REC-005981 · published 25 Jun 2024The Gear Drive Unit (GDU) assembly bolts may not have been tightened to the torque sufficiently causing it to possibly fail and result in a loss of motive power.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005939 · published 11 Apr 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the driveshaft may break under load.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005699 · published 15 Jun 2023Due to a software issue, the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate the visual seat belt warning as required by the Australian Design Rules (ADR) 04/06.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
Hyundai Kona Electric
- REC-006586 · published 9 Apr 2026A software issue in the Battery Management System (BMS) may cause an electrical short circuit while charging or parked leading to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2023
- REC-001592 · published 23 Aug 2021Due to a manufacturing defect, the battery does not meet specifications and may lead to an electrical short which could start a fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- REC-000605 · published 28 Jan 2021A software fault in the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) may significantly reduce braking performance.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 1 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
48.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (10.4kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Kia Niro features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Kona Electric gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia Niro stands out with ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai Kona Electric. The Hyundai Kona Electric counters with wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Kia Niro gets artificial leather upholstery while the Hyundai Kona Electric offers premium cloth.
Drivetrain
The Kia Niro uses a 1.6 Kappa GDI DOHC 2 D-CVVT + Electric Motor producing 104kW and 147Nm of torque, sent through its transmission to a FWD layout.
The Hyundai Kona Electric responds with a Electric making 99kW and 255Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.
The Kia Niro has the clear power advantage at 104kW vs 99kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Kia Niro measures 4,355mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, matching the Hyundai Kona Electric at 4,355mm (2,660mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Niro generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 324L in the Kia Niro and 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric, giving the Hyundai Kona Electric a 83L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 10.6m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Niro if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Kona Electric if: You need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Kia Niro: Top CarSorted Score, 67 vs 66
The Kia Niro comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (67 vs 66), taking 1 of 2 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Kia Niro ahead by 12), value (Hyundai Kona Electric ahead by 6), performance (Hyundai Kona Electric ahead by 3). If boot space matters, the Hyundai Kona Electric has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia Niro and Hyundai Kona Electric?
The Hyundai Kona Electric is the cheapest at $46,000 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Niro uses the least fuel at 1.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Kia Niro and Hyundai Kona Electric carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the largest boot at 407L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Niro has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,300kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Niro makes the most power at 104kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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