Compare the2025 Subaru ImprezaVS 2025 Kia Niro

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Passenger Space
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. LOIGK-MHBGN 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/06/18

The Impreza has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Niro doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

Both the Impreza and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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

	Impreza	Niro
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	222	241
Neck Injury Risk	22.4%	29%
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	170	362
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28.8%	29.1%
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	120 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	291/273 lbs.	601/129 lbs.

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 flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Impreza is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Impreza	Niro
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	144 lbs.	246 lbs.
Hip Force	6 lbs.	424 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	291	392
Spine Acceleration	59 G’s	81 G’s
Hip Force	423 lbs.	919 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	254	474

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 Impreza, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 2.5% less likely to roll over than the Niro, which received a four-star rating.

Warranty

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

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Impreza’s reliability 44 points higher than the Niro.

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

Engine

The Impreza’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (152 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 43 more horsepower (182 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Impreza RS 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder is faster than the Kia Niro:

	Impreza	Niro
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	9.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.1 MPH	81.9 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Impreza lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Niro doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the Impreza and Niro have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Impreza has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Impreza has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (16.6 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Impreza has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Niro doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Impreza	Impreza Sport/RS	Niro
Front Rotors	11.6 inches	12.4 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.2 inches	11.2 inches	10.3 inches

The Impreza’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 are solid, not vented.

The Impreza stops shorter than the Niro:

	Impreza	Niro
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Impreza’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Niro’s standard 60 series tires. The Impreza Sport/RS’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Niro Touring’s 45 series tires.

Passenger Space

The Impreza has 1.4 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room and .2 inches more rear hip room than the Niro.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Impreza is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Niro. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 56% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

Ergonomics

The Impreza’s front power windows 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’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. The Niro SX’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

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

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Impreza has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Niro doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Impreza’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Niro offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Compared to traditional radio, the Subaru Impreza’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Niro EX/SX.

Recommendations

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

See Available Inventory