Compare the2026 Volkswagen TaosVS 2025 Kia Niro

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Taos deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Taos’ side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Niro’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Volkswagen Taos achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Kia Niro has not been tested.

The Taos has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Niro doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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

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

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

	Taos	Niro
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Compression	28 lbs.	57 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	103/74 lbs.	106/154 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 Volkswagen Taos is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Taos	Niro
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	111	182
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	115 lbs.	246 lbs.
Hip Force	394 lbs.	424 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	69 G’s	81 G’s
Hip Force	673 lbs.	919 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
HIC	338	474

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Taos’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Niro’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Taos for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro.

Engine

The Taos’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 35 more horsepower (174 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Taos is faster than the Kia Niro:

	Taos	Niro
Zero to 60 MPH	8.9 sec	9.1 sec
Quarter Mile	16.7 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85.1 MPH	81.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

The Taos FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (13.2 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Taos AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (14.5 vs. 11.1 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Taos higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Niro (6). This means the Taos produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Niro every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Taos, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Niro.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Taos	Niro
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	10.7 inches	10.3 inches

The Taos stops shorter than the Niro:

	Taos	Niro
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	144 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Taos has larger standard tires than the Niro (215/55R18 vs. 205/60R16). The Taos 4Motion®’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro (235/45R19 vs. 225/45R18).

The Taos 4Motion®’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.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Taos S has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The Taos 4Motion®’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring.

The Taos has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Niro; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Taos’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Niro’s (61% to 39%). This gives the Taos more stable handling and braking.

The Taos SEL 4Motion® executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Niro SX (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Taos has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro (7.6 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Taos to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Taos has .2 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room and .2 inches more rear headroom than the Niro.

Cargo Capacity

The Taos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Niro with its rear seat up (27.9 vs. 22.8 cubic feet). The Taos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Niro with its rear seat folded (65.9 vs. 63.7 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

The Taos’ front and rear power windows all 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. With the Niro SX’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The Taos has standard KESSY Push-Button Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Niro EX/SX offers a Smart Key.

The Taos’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Niro’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Taos to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Niro doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Taos’ 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 avoid possible obstacles, the Taos SE/SEL has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Niro doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Taos SE/SEL also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Taos has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Niro SX.

Compared to traditional radio, the Volkswagen Taos’ 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

The Volkswagen Taos outsold the Kia Niro by almost two to one during 2024.

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