2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

$34,300 · Crossover

$34,490 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe (Car 1) and the 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid (Car 2) is fuel economy, showing a 24 MPG combined difference favoring the Niro's 48 MPG versus the Santa Fe's 24 MPG. Furthermore, the Santa Fe delivers 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, substantially outpacing the Niro's 180 hp and 195 lb-ft, representing a 97 hp deficit for Car 2. Priced nearly identically, with MSRPs of $34,300 and $34,490 respectively, value diverges heavily based on priority. The Santa Fe is physically larger at 190.2 inches in length compared to the Niro's 174.0 inches, though the smaller Niro offers superior cargo space at 19.4 cu ft against the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft. Buyers must weigh the Kia's 33 miles of electric range and superior efficiency against the Hyundai's dominant performance figures.

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 48 combined MPG and 33 miles of electric-only range.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The larger 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offers greater overall passenger volume and exterior dimensions (190.2 inches long) suitable for families.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe offers significantly higher power with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque compared to the Niro's 180 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid provides superior long-term operational savings via its 48 MPG rating for a nearly identical initial MSRP of $34,490.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

You prioritize maximum acceleration, evidenced by the 277 hp and 311 lb-ft torque output.
You require the larger physical footprint, measuring 190.2 inches in length and 67.7 inches in height.
You prefer an 8-speed automated manual transmission over the 6-speed offered by Car 2.

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

Achieving 48 combined MPG is the primary objective for daily driving.
Access to a 33-mile all-electric range is beneficial for the daily commute.
You need more usable space, as the Niro offers 19.4 cu ft of cargo capacity versus 14.6 cu ft in Car 1.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
Length	190.2"	174.0"
Width	74.8"	71.8"
Height	67.7"	60.8"
Wheelbase	110.8"	107.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear 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	✓	✓
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 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	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	277 hp @ 5800 rpm	180 hp
Torque	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	195 lb-ft
Number of Valves	16	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 automated manual	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)	20/29 MPG	49/47 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	48 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	480.2/460.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 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	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
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
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	40.5 in.
Front Leg Room	44.4 in.	41.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	56.2 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	53.3 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Leatherette/Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Rear Head Room	40.6 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.3 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	55.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.9 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 Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	P205/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—

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 Santa Fe and 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

How much better is the fuel economy of the Kia Niro PHEV compared to the Santa Fe?

The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid boasts a combined rating of 48 MPG, offering a massive 24 MPG advantage over the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's 24 MPG combined figure.

Does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offer significant power advantages?

Yes, the Santa Fe produces 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, which is 97 more horsepower than the Niro PHEV's 180 hp output.

Which vehicle has better cargo space?

Despite being physically smaller overall, the 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid provides 19.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity, beating the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's 14.6 cubic feet.

What is the price difference between the two crossovers?

The vehicles are priced very closely, with the Hyundai Santa Fe starting at $34,300 and the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid starting at $34,490, making the initial investment nearly identical.

What is the advantage of the Kia Niro's Plug-In Hybrid system?

The Niro PHEV allows for 33 miles of zero-emission driving powered solely by electricity before the gasoline engine needs to activate, which the standard hybrid Santa Fe does not offer.