Compare the2026 Toyota bZVS 2025 Kia Niro EV

The Toyota bZ has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Niro EV doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The bZ has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Niro EV doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The bZ has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro EV doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The bZ Limited has a standard Bird’s Eye View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro EV only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the bZ and the Niro EV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Toyota bZ has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Niro EV has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The bZ’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Niro EV runs out after 100,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the bZ for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro EV.

There are over 55 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the bZ’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 11th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

The bZ XLE Plus/Limited’s standard electric motor produces 20 more horsepower (221 vs. 201) than the Niro EV’s electric motor. The bZ’s optional electric motors produces 137 more horsepower (338 vs. 201) than the Niro EV’s electric motor.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota bZ electric motors is faster than the Kia Niro EV:

The bZ can travel longer on a full charge than the Niro EV on a full charge:

For better stopping power the bZ’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro EV:

The bZ’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Niro EV are solid, not vented.

The bZ stops shorter than the Niro EV:

For better traction, the bZ has larger tires than the Niro EV (235/60R18 vs. 215/55R17).

The bZ Limited’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Niro EV’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the bZ XLE has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Niro EV. The bZ Limited has standard 20-inch wheels.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the bZ’s wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the Niro EV (112.2 inches vs. 107.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the bZ is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Niro EV.

The bZ Limited AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Niro EV Wave (26.7 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the bZ has a 2.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro EV (8.2 vs. 5.9 inches), allowing the bZ to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The bZ has .6 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front hip room, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro EV.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the bZ’s rear seats recline. The Niro EV’s rear seats don’t recline.

The bZ has a much larger cargo volume than the Niro EV with its rear seat up (27.7 vs. 22.8 cubic feet).

The bZ’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Niro EV’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Niro EV Wave’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the bZ the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Niro EV can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The bZ’s standard Smart Key System allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Niro EV doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The bZ’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Niro EV’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Toyota bZ has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Niro EV Wave.

The bZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Niro EV.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the bZ has a standard Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Niro EV doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Toyota bZ has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Kia charges extra for Homelink® on the Niro EV.

The Toyota bZ stands out above the Kia Niro EV by offering not one, but Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and two of them provide more flexibility. Both vehicles also offer Qi charging for the rear passengers.