What do you want in your small SUV? If you’re looking for practicality and affordability, the 2024 Kia Niro and Toyota Corolla Cross should top your list.
Both compact SUVs are coming off new builds with improved styling that make them more useful and impressive. With similar sizes, qualities, pricing, and usefulness, these two subcompact SUVs can be hard to choose from when you want to get in and take a drive. Let’s dig in and see what makes each of these small SUVs a good option. Will you choose the Kia Niro or Toyota Corolla Cross?
Let’s start with efficiency
Some shoppers instantly turn to fuel economy figures to understand which vehicle to drive and enjoy. This is a great place go get started with these two small SUVs. The Niro features a small 4-cylinder hybrid system that produces 139 horsepower and a combined fuel mileage of 49 to 53 mpg.
The Corolla Cross delivers more power with a 196-horsepower 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain that sends power to all four wheels. This means the Toyota takes a hit in the fuel mileage with only 42 mpg combined, but offers stronger acceleration and AWD.
Which SUV has more of the right features?
Both the Kia Niro and Toyota Corolla Cross pack impressive value with standard keyless entry and starting, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and wireless connectivity. Both models also feature impressive driver assistance and safety features to keep you out of trouble on the road.
The Kia SUV has a few items that you won’t find in the Toyota lineup. The Niro has ventilated front seats and a premium sound system in the top trim level. Its asl backed by a much better warranty, protecting the vehicle for five-years/60,000-miles, while the Toyota SUV only covers you for three-years/36,000 miles.
Which SUV is more comfortable?
These subcompact SUVs provide similar sizes for your driving pleasure and comfort. They fit in the city extremely well and offer easy driving manners. The Corolla Cross has a better suspension for smoother riding over bumps and road issues. When it comes to real comfort, the Niro has the right stuff. The rear legroom is nearly 8 inches greater in the Kia SUV compared to the Toyota SUV. This measurement is 39.8 inches, giving taller passengers and car seats more space in this area. This small Kia SUV also has a more upscale cabin with better features than the Toyota.
Kia Niro favorite features
The 2024 Kia Niro has some features you won’t find in the Toyota Corolla Cross. Here are a few of them:
Dual-screen display
The higher trims of this SUV provide two 10.25-inch screens to give you the digital look you’re after. This means you’ve got a large gauge display and infotainment screen providing you with everything you need to know while you’re behind the wheel.
Adaptive cruise control
When you choose the EX or higher trims, you’ll find this feature, which helps you keep a safe distance from vehicles ahead of you. This system slows the vehicle and can bring the Niro to a full stop. Once the traffic begins to move again, the system will accelerate the Niro and get you back to your preset speed or distance from the vehicles in front of you.
Drive Wise
The safety and driver assistance features in the Kia Niro are bundled into the Drive Wise package. This gives you extra items including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, and lane-keep assist.
Toyota Corolla Cross favorite features
Not to be left out, the Toyota Corolla Cross has a few items you won’t find in the Kia Niro lineup. Let’s take a look at a few of them:
All-wheel drive
That’s right; you won’t find AWD at any level of the Kia Niro, it’s an option with every Corolla Cross trim. Those models powered by the hybrid powertrain have this feature as part of the standard packaging.
Rear Seat Reminder
When you’ve opened the rear door before going for a drive, this little Toyota SUV provides a reminder to check the rear seat for items, people, and pets once you get to your destination. This is an excellent feature to help parents avoid leaving their children or pets in a hot car.
Safety Rating
Small vehicles sometimes have difficulty achieving the highest safety ratings. That’s not the case for the Corolla Cross which earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.
Will you choose the 2024 Kia Niro or Toyota Corolla Cross while shopping for a subcompact crossover SUV to drive?
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