2025 Honda Ridgeline vs 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

$40,150 · Crossover

$34,490 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the versatile 2025 Honda Ridgeline and the hyper-efficient 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid presents a classic trade-off between capability and cost savings. Buyers often wonder if they need the utility of a truck bed or the rock-bottom running costs of a PHEV. The Ridgeline starts at a higher MSRP of $40,150 and delivers 280 hp, making it the powerhouse, but it manages only 21 combined MPG. Conversely, the Niro PHEV, priced significantly lower at $34,490, dominates efficiency with 48 combined MPG and offers a 33-mile electric range, perfect for short commutes. Furthermore, the Ridgeline is substantially larger at 210.2 inches long compared to the Niro's 174.0 inches. This comparison boils down to whether that extra truck utility is worth giving up $5,660 in savings and 27 MPG efficiency.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid wins for commuters due to its exceptional 48 combined MPG and 33 miles of all-electric driving range.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

Families benefit more from the Kia Niro's superior fuel economy and larger 19.4 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Ridgeline's 7.3 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Ridgeline

Automotive enthusiasts prioritizing raw output will prefer the Honda Ridgeline's higher 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Niro offers substantially better long-term value by saving $5,660 upfront and delivering much lower running costs via superior MPG.

Choose the Honda Ridgeline if...

You require the muscle provided by the 280 hp V6 engine and 262 lb-ft of torque.
You need the specific utility offered by a true truck bed, even if it's smaller at 7.3 cu ft.
You prefer the traditional driving feel of an AWD system paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Choose the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid if...

Your priority is maximizing fuel savings, leveraging the 48 combined MPG rating.
Your daily driving fits within the 33-mile all-electric range to minimize gas use.
You need more conventional storage capacity, as the Niro offers 19.4 cu ft versus the Ridgeline's smaller area.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Ridgeline	Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
Length	210.2"	174.0"
Width	78.6"	71.8"
Height	70.8"	60.8"
Wheelbase	125.2"	107.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	280 hp @ 6000 rpm	180 hp
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm	195 lb-ft
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Single overhead cam (SOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Kia
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed automated manual
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/24 MPG	49/47 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	21 MPG	48 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.0/468.0 mi.	480.2/460.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.5 gal.	9.8 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	113/102 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	108 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	33 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	31
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.8 hr.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	Kia
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Kia
Infotainment Display	9.0 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	215W	—
Speaker System	7	6
Subwoofer Count	1	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	With Real Time Traffic
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	2	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Front Head Room	40.1 in.	40.5 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	41.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	56.2 in.
Front Hip Room	59.1 in.	53.3 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Seat Material: Leatherette/Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.8 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.7 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.5 in.	55.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.6 in.	53.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R	P205/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Size	—	16 x 6.5 in

Suspension

Feature	Honda	Kia
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Honda	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 mi.	—
EV Battery Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Ridgeline and 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

How much more expensive is the 2025 Honda Ridgeline than the Kia Niro PHEV?

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline has an MSRP of $40,150, making it $5,660 more expensive than the $34,490 starting price of the 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

Which vehicle is better for long road trips regarding fuel stops?

The Kia Niro PHEV is significantly better for efficiency, achieving 48 combined MPG compared to the Ridgeline's 21 combined MPG, meaning far fewer stops for gas.

Does the Ridgeline offer better towing or hauling capability than the Niro?

While the provided specs don't detail towing, the Ridgeline is designed with truck architecture, whereas the Niro is a crossover focused on fuel economy, giving the Ridgeline the likely edge in utility despite its smaller 7.3 cu ft cargo capacity.

Can I cover my daily commute solely on electric power with the Niro?

Yes, the 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid boasts an EPA-estimated 33 miles of electric range, which is sufficient for many short-to-medium daily commutes before requiring the gas engine.

Is the performance difference between the two vehicles noticeable?

Absolutely; the Ridgeline delivers a substantial 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, dwarfing the Niro's 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, which enthusiasts will certainly feel.

How do the sizes of these two crossovers compare?

The Honda Ridgeline is much larger, measuring 210.2 inches in length and 78.6 inches in width, while the more compact Niro is only 174.0 inches long and 71.8 inches wide.