Compare the2025 Kia NiroVS 2025 Lexus UX

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Niro has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the UX.

Both the Niro and the UX 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, driver alert monitors and available front and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Niro is safer than the Lexus UX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Niro is safer than the Lexus UX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Niro is 2.2% less likely to roll over than the UX.

The Niro comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The UX’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Niro 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Lexus covers the UX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the UX ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Niro’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 8th.

The Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 152) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Niro gets better mileage than the UX:

The Niro stops shorter than the UX:

The Niro Touring’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the UX’s 50 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Niro’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the UX (107.1 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Niro is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the UX.

The Niro SX handles at .84 G’s, while the UX AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Kia Niro may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 400 pounds less than the Lexus UX.

The Niro is 3 inches shorter than the UX, making the Niro easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Kia Niro amounts to more than styling. The Niro has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the UX (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Niro get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Niro uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The UX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Niro has 14.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (105.1 vs. 90.4).

The Niro has 3.3 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 3.3 inches more rear headroom, 6.7 inches more rear legroom, .7 inches more rear hip room and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

The Niro has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (22.8 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

The Niro uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The UX uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The power windows standard on both the Niro and the UX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Niro is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The UX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Niro and the Lexus UX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Niro outsold the Lexus UX by almost four to one during 2024.