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Kia Niro vs Toyota Yaris Cross - Differences and prices compared

Compare performance (180 HP vs 130 HP), boot space and price (29100 £ vs 23700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Kia Niro or Toyota Yaris Cross?

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.

Kia Niro

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

Toyota Yaris Cross

4 (6 Reviews)
rate

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Niro

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Toyota Yaris Cross has a distinct advantage in terms of price – it starts at 23700 £ , while the Kia Niro costs 29100 £ . That’s a price difference of around 5443 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: Kia Niro manages with 2.40 L and is therefore convincingly more efficient than the Toyota Yaris Cross with 4.50 L. The difference is about 2.10 L per 100 km.

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 has a distinct edge – offering 180 HP compared to 130 HP. That’s roughly 50 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Kia Niro is slight quicker – completing the sprint in 9.90 s, while the Toyota Yaris Cross takes 10.70 s. That’s about 0.80 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the Kia Niro performs slight better – reaching 185 km/h, while the Toyota Yaris Cross tops out at 170 km/h. The difference is around 15 km/h.

Niro

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In curb weight, Toyota Yaris Cross is noticeable lighter – 1180 kg compared to 1474 kg. The difference is around 294 kg.

In terms of boot space, the Kia Niro offers to a small extent more room – 451 L compared to 397 L. That’s a difference of about 54 L.

In maximum load capacity, the Kia Niro performs evident better – up to 1445 L, which is about 348 L more than the Toyota Yaris Cross.

When it comes to payload, Toyota Yaris Cross hardly perceptible takes the win – 510 kg compared to 466 kg. That’s a difference of about 44 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Kia Niro is far ahead overall 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.

Kia Niro
Toyota Yaris Cross

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis
from about £29,100
Niro

Kia Niro

  • Engine Type : Full Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 138 - 180 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 2.4 - 4.9 L
  • Electric Range : 57 - 62 km

Kia Niro

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

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.

details

Toyota Yaris Cross

4 (6 Reviews)
rate

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.

details
Kia Niro
Toyota Yaris Cross

Costs and Consumption

Price
29100 - 38600 £
Price
23700 - 34300 £
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 4.9 L
Consumption L/100km
4.5 - 4.8 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
57 - 62 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
1.3 - 11.1 kWh
Battery Capacity
-
co2
53 - 111 g/km
co2
101 - 108 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
37 - 42 L
Fuel tank capacity
36 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1474 - 1594 kg
Curb weight
1180 - 1290 kg
Trunk capacity
348 - 451 L
Trunk capacity
320 - 397 L
Length
4420 mm
Length
4180 mm
Width
1825 mm
Width
1765 mm
Height
1545 mm
Height
1595 mm
Max trunk capacity
1342 - 1445 L
Max trunk capacity
1097 L
Payload
466 kg
Payload
485 - 510 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Full Hybrid, Plugin 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 - 180 HP
Power HP
116 - 130 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.9 - 11.4 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
10.7 - 11.3 s
Max Speed
170 - 185 km/h
Max Speed
170 km/h
Torque
265 Nm
Torque
-
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
3
Power kW
102 - 132 kW
Power kW
85 - 96 kW
Engine capacity
1580 cm3
Engine capacity
1490 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
C
Brand
Kia
Brand
Toyota
Is the Kia Niro offered with different drivetrains?

The Kia Niro is available as Front-Wheel Drive.

The prices shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.