2017 Kia Niro vs. Its Competition

John Voelcker

The 2017 Kia Niro has no direct competitors; it's the only dedicated hybrid crossover utility vehicle of any size.

But its likely competitors include the 2017 Toyota Prius Liftback, restyled last year and with top fuel-efficiency ratings of 52 or 56 mpg combined.

The fourth-generation Prius is a much better car than it was, but the styling isn't to everyone's taste.

The Toyota Prius V hybrid tall wagon has lots of interior space for people and cargo, and it's ranked at 42 mpg combined, but like the Niro, it's slow even for a hybrid.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a "regular" crossover that offers a hybrid powertrain, at 33 mpg combined, and has all-wheel drive as standard—and it's selling like gangbusters.

The Niro may also compete in its own showroom with the Kia Soul tall wagon, about the same size and also a segment buster.

Finally, the VW Golf SportWagen is a genuine wagon, has enormous cargo space and good handling, and now offers the all-wheel drive that the Niro doesn't.