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Kia Niro vs Toyota Yaris Cross comparison

Compare performance (138 HP vs 130 HP), boot space and price (29,100 £ vs 23,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Kia Niro or Toyota Yaris Cross?

Kia Niro vs Toyota Yaris Cross: Key differences

Kia Niro

4.5 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • marginally more power

Toyota Yaris Cross

4.2 (12 Reviews)
rate
  • markedly cheaper
  • very slightly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • markedly lighter

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Niro

Morning Commute Mojo

The Kia Niro and the Toyota Yaris Cross approach rush-hour differently: one leans toward composed confidence while the other feels eager and light-footed. In traffic the Niro settles into a relaxed rhythm that soaks up lumps and blunts motorway monotony, making long stints less fatiguing. The Yaris Cross rewards quick city hops with nimble direction changes and an upright view that keeps intersections and parking entrances in check. Pick the Niro if you prize a serenely sorted ride, or the Yaris Cross if you like a car that feels sprightly and orchestrated in tight traffic.

Yaris Cross

Urban Tightrope

Navigating narrow streets and jam-packed bays exposes what each package was built to do: the Yaris Cross plays the nimble urbanist with a compact footprint and easy turn-in, while the Niro feels more grown-up and composed when the road opens up. Both manage suburban chores with user-friendly controls and good visibility, but their characters shift when you ask for brisk cornering versus cushioned cruising. Infotainment and ergonomics are approachable in either cabin, though you’ll notice different priorities in switchgear layout and seat positioning. If city life is dominant, the Yaris Cross makes the sharper first impression; if you spend equal time on longer runs, the Niro’s manners keep you comfortable.

Niro

Family Life and Errands

On weekend runs, supermarket hauls and the school run, practicality matters more than peak performance, and both cars bring sensible layouts to the table. The Niro tends to offer a slightly more versatile cargo area and user-friendly loading shapes that make stowing pushchairs and sports gear less fiddly, while the Yaris Cross makes up for it with light, effortless access and a cabin that feels thoughtfully arranged for daily use. Rear-seat space and child-seat fitment are manageable in both, though your choice will come down to how often you carry adults rearwards versus luggage forward. Families who value straightforward usability will find solid arguments in either corner.

Yaris Cross

Personality and Presence

Styling is where tastes diverge: the Niro projects a confident, mature look that signals practicality with a subtle flair, while the Yaris Cross trades on cheeky compactness and a fresh, youthful silhouette. Inside, the Niro’s cabin skews toward a restrained, functional aesthetic with durable finishes, whereas the Yaris Cross favours bright, ergonomic touches and an interior that feels tuned for city life. Both manage to be characterful without shouting, so your pick will depend on whether you want understated competence or a pepier, more extroverted companion. Buyers who care about curb appeal should sit in both and decide which attitude fits their driveway.

Niro

Everyday Sense and Ownership

Beyond first impressions, cost of ownership and day-to-day running influence the long game, and both cars offer sensible, low-stress ownership propositions geared to different priorities. The Niro presents itself as a more versatile, do-it-all companion that rewards steady use and longer stretches between stops, while the Yaris Cross feels like the economical, no-nonsense option for tight budgets and urban stewardship. Servicing, warranty and dealer experience will shape long-term happiness just as much as the cars themselves, so factor in local support when choosing. In short, buy for the life you lead rather than the headline figures.

Yaris Cross

Which one fits your life?

At the end of the test loop the differences are clear in temperament rather than headline stats: one offers calm, all-round competence and the other brings lightness and city-ready agility, each appealing to distinct kinds of daily drivers. Commuters who crave composure, families needing flexible practicality, and style-conscious buyers all have reasons to consider both, depending on which traits matter most in the driveway. Take a proper test drive and imagine real days with either car before deciding—context beats spec sheets every time. Read on to discover which model takes the DriveDuel crown; the Champion will be revealed afterwards.

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Toyota Yaris Cross
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In a head-to-head comparison of the Toyota C-HR and the Toyota Yaris Cross, both compact SUVs showcase innovative design and versatility, appealing to urban drivers. While the C-HR brings a more striking aesthetic and a sporty driving experience, the Yaris Cross offers greater practicality with its …
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Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Niro

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Toyota Yaris Cross is markedly cheaper – starting at 23,700 £ , while the Kia Niro costs 29,100 £ . That’s a price difference of around 5,443 £.

Both cars consume an average of 4.5 L/100km – no difference here.

Yaris Cross

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Kia Niro offers marginally more power – delivering 138 HP compared to 130 HP. That’s roughly 8 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Toyota Yaris Cross is very slightly quicker – completing the sprint in 10.7 s, while the Kia Niro takes 11.1 s. That’s about 0.4 s quicker.

Niro

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Toyota Yaris Cross is markedly lighter – 1,180 kg compared to 1,474 kg. The difference is around 294 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Toyota Yaris Cross carries marginally more – 510 kg compared to 466 kg. That’s a difference of about 44 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Toyota Yaris Cross has only a minor advantage in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £23,700
Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

  • Engine Type : Full Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 130 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 4.5 - 4.8 L/100km
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Kia Niro
Toyota Yaris Cross

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Kia Niro

The Kia Niro blends clever packaging and modern styling into a compact crossover that’s refreshingly sensible for daily life. It’s comfortable, economical and packed with user‑friendly tech, so if you want a fuss‑free family car with a touch of green credibility, the Niro is worth a test drive.

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Reviews Kia Niro

4.5 (2 Reviews)
rate
Archi
25 Mar 2026, 13:11:41

Efficient, functional, understated, spacious and comfortable. No surprises: it delivers what it promises and does its job without fanfare. Good buy.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Leisure / Weekend driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Wolfgang Schäfer
21 Oct 2025, 14:01:32

I've been driving the Kia Niro since 2019 and am still very happy with this car.

Toyota Yaris Cross

The Toyota Yaris Cross takes the jaunty personality of the Yaris and gives it a taller stance and a bit more practicality, so you get city-friendly agility with added SUV presence. It’s easy to live with, economical on the daily grind, and smartly packaged — a sensible pick for buyers who want fuss-free transport with a touch of character.

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Reviews Toyota Yaris Cross

4.2 (12 Reviews)
rate
claudio
26 Mar 2026, 13:45:30

After several cars from the VW Group and a long search, I chose the Yaris Cross — also because of the unusual gearbox.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Peter
25 Dec 2025, 21:05:44

I've had the car since April, and so far I'm giving it a 5.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): City / Short distance
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Gelu
26 Sept 2025, 18:58:16

Great car — average consumption from April to September in Eco mode: 3.7 L/100 km.

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The Corolla Cross is the grown-up option — roomier, more composed on the motorway and offering a bigger boot and rear-seat space, while the Yaris Cross is the cheeky city specialist: smaller, nimbler and easier to park without losing Toyota's slick hybrid efficiency. Pick the Corolla Cross if …
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The Suzuki S-Cross is the sensible family crossover: generous boot, honest equipment and wallet-friendly pricing that make it a practical pick if you prioritise space and value. The Toyota Yaris Cross is the clever city slicker — compact, refined, and available with efficient hybrid power and that …
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Small and sensible, the Honda Jazz is a masterclass in clever packaging — airy rear seats, Magic Seat flexibility and effortless economy make it the practical everyman’s champion, even if it lacks SUV swagger. The Toyota Yaris Cross, by contrast, trades some of that interior generosity for a taller …
Kia Niro
Toyota Yaris Cross

Costs and Consumption
Price
29,100 - 33,800 £
Price
23,700 - 34,300 £
Consumption L/100km
4.5 - 4.9 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.5 - 4.8 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
102 - 111 g/km
co2
101 - 108 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,474 kg
Curb weight
1,180 - 1,290 kg
Trunk capacity
-
Trunk capacity
320 - 397 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,825 mm
Width
1,765 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
466 kg
Payload
485 - 510 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Full Hybrid
Engine Type
Full Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
CVT
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
138 HP
Power HP
116 - 130 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
11.1 - 11.4 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
10.7 - 11.3 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
265 Nm
Torque
-
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
3
Power kW
102 kW
Power kW
85 - 96 kW
Engine capacity
1,580 cm3
Engine capacity
1,490 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025
Model Year
2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
C
CO2 Efficiency Class
C
Brand
Kia
Brand
Toyota
What drive types are available for the Kia Niro?

The Kia Niro is offered with Front-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.