2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

$37,200 · Crossover

$34,490 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade excites with its robust 291 horsepower V6 engine, promising muscle for highway merging, while the 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid captivates with its astonishing efficiency, boasting a combined 48 MPG. This comparison pits brute force against fiscal frugality. The Palisade, longer at 196.7 inches, offers substantial presence and power for hauling duties, achieving 22 MPG overall from its regular unleaded engine. In contrast, the smaller Niro PHEV prioritizes sustainability, delivering 33 miles of pure electric range before relying on its excellent gas economy. While the Palisade leads significantly in output with 262 lb-ft of torque versus the Niro's 195 lb-ft, that power comes at the cost of efficiency, with the Niro shattering the Hyundai’s MPG rating by a remarkable 26 points. Ultimately, buyers choose between the commanding size and ample power of Car1 versus the advanced, mileage-crushing technology of Car2.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Niro PHEV wins for commuters due to its superior combined 48 MPG rating and 33 miles of all-electric range.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade is better suited for families needing superior passenger space and greater intrinsic power (291 hp) from its larger platform.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Palisade

Performance enthusiasts will favor the Palisade for its substantial 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque output.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Niro PHEV offers better long-term ownership value by drastically reducing fuel costs with its 48 MPG rating for a lower MSRP of $34,490.

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

You require substantial power, leveraging the 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
You need the physical presence and size of a vehicle that measures 196.7 inches in length.
You prefer the traditional, assured feel of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

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

Your primary concern is maximizing fuel economy, with a stellar combined 48 MPG.
You prioritize minimizing stops at the pump by utilizing its 33 miles of electric-only driving range.
You are looking for a lower initial investment, starting at $34,490.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Palisade	Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
Length	196.7"	174.0"
Width	77.8"	71.8"
Height	68.9"	60.8"
Wheelbase	114.2"	107.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Front Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row 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	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	3.8 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	291 hp @ 6000 rpm	180 hp
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm	195 lb-ft
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed automated manual
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/26 MPG	49/47 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	48 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	357.2/488.8 mi.	480.2/460.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 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	Hyundai	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	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	With Real Time Traffic
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speaker System	—	6
Subwoofer Count	—	1

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	40.5 in.
Front Leg Room	44.1 in.	41.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.2 in.	56.2 in.
Front Hip Room	58.1 in.	53.3 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Leatherette/Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Rear Head Room	40.1 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.4 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	60.8 in.	55.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.7 in.	53.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R18	P205/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—
EV Battery Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

How significant is the difference in power output between these two crossovers?

The difference is substantial, as the 2025 Hyundai Palisade delivers 291 horsepower, vastly outperforming the 2025 Kia Niro PHEV’s 180 horsepower. This 111 hp gap means the Palisade offers significantly quicker acceleration and hauling capability.

For daily city driving, which vehicle saves more money on fuel?

The Kia Niro PHEV is the clear winner here, achieving 49 MPG in city driving, compared to the Palisade's 19 MPG city rating. Furthermore, the Niro can cover the first 33 miles solely on electricity.

Does the larger size of the Palisade translate to better cargo room?

Surprisingly, the smaller Kia Niro PHEV offers slightly better cargo capacity at 19.4 cubic feet versus the Hyundai Palisade’s 18 cubic feet, despite the Palisade being 22.7 inches longer overall.

Which vehicle utilizes a more traditional automatic transmission?

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade uses a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, offering a familiar driving feel, whereas the Kia Niro employs a 6-speed automated manual.

Are both vehicles compatible with regular unleaded gasoline?

Yes, both the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and the 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, simplifying fueling choices despite their vastly different powertrain technologies.

How much more does the more powerful Palisade cost initially?

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade starts at an MSRP of $37,200, making it $2,710 more expensive than the $34,490 starting price of the 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid.