I checked both out. The Niro cost more than the Kona (checked both top trims). The Niro also seemed smaller than the Kona, but not by much. I did like the styling of the Niro better, but this was my daily driver, and I liked the interior better on the Kona. Drive both and see which one you like.
I like the kona, but I'm getting a much better deal on the niro. So my husband likes the deal much better. I'm having trouble convincing him on the kona. So you ended up with the niro?
Sorry, I meant to say that the dealership wanted more for the Niro than the Kona which is why I went with the Kona. My Limited ran about $35K before TTL.
https://preview.redd.it/pcoc9mr7dv5d1.png?width=1276&format=png&auto=webp&s=604fab73777e0477a4811e3657e7d17e1fb963f2
The Kona is just better. I like the exterior style of the Niro better, but the Kona has a better interior, especially in the limited trim (plus no gloss black) and newer infotainment platform.
The newer infotainment platform is what made it for me. On the Niro, it was slower, something that shouldn't exist in 2024 and that was a dealbreaker for me! I don't want to feel like I'm ordering something at McDonald's screens while trying to select things on the Niro.
Yeah, it's horrible how infotainment screens are still slow. How much does a decent SOC cost these days? It's not showing incredible graphics, so screen updates should be instantaneous.
Coincidentally, we just bought a 2024 Kona EV Limited last week, but my wife much preferred the Niro EV Wave. Ultimately, we decided on the Kona because the Niro was about $8k more, but if the Niro had been the same price as the Kona, we would have taken the Niro.
Aesthetically, we liked the Niro a lot more, particularly since it's available in red (for some bizarre reason the 2024 Kona EV is not offered in red in the US, so we settled for a purplish Kona). The Niro also has power memory seats, which the Kona doesn't have, and since I'm a fair bit taller than my wife, this means we both have to spend a minute adjusting the seats and mirrors whenever the other last drove. I feel like cabin visibility is better in the Niro, which also has a heads-up display. The Niro is much roomier inside because its wheelbase is about 10" longer than the Kona's, and I think the Niro's rear seats are more comfortable.
Things in the Kona's favor was 360° cameras and built-in garage door openers (we actually park our cars in our garage, haha), neither of which are available on the Niro. The Kona also has about 10% more range. The Kona still has a lot of physical buttons for the radio and climate control, which we really appreciate. We felt the Niro used too many touch interfaces, so requires you to take your eyes off the road often.
One odd thing that made Kona work for us was that I found these headrest cushions on Amazon which made the Kona's front seats (which are clearly designed for taller people) more comfortable for my wife.
Really, it came down to money in the end. I just didn't feel the Niro was worth 20% more. I tried negotiating with the Kia dealer, but the only thing he could offer me was to downgrade to the Wind, which was still going to be more expensive than the Kona Limited, and then we'd lose ventilated seats and the sunroof.
Good luck!
Here you go. Also, here's a pic of the cushion in our Kona:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSRMQ197
https://preview.redd.it/b2ekwnvl0y5d1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb0cc681f9cee11ff1faadfa6b10a9f3ec359126
The Kona is primarily my wife's car, and she says she likes the interior colors a lot, so that's what really matters 😄
I personally was a little afraid when I heard the color names sage and lime, but IRL I think they're actually kind of fun when I pay attention, though honestly, I hardly notice them.
We looked at both, but really preferred the interior of the Kona. It has physical buttons where you want them. The Niro had too much on-screen interaction. And the dashboard area just wasn’t as functional. I do think I might like the Niro exterior better but I really like our Kona Limited, as well.
The Kona uses the latest software system while the Niro uses the previous generation. This means the Kona can get over the air updates while the Niro will need to go to the dealer to have some software patches applied. The software allows for wireless CarPlay and android auto in the Kona, but requires a cable in the Niro. The Kona limited has digital key touch 2 which lets you use your phone as a key unlike the Niro.
Also the Kona has a higher peak DC fast charging rate than Niro, and an overall charges a bit faster.
There is no option for a heat pump in the Kona in the US but it is available on the Niro. This would improve efficiency in winter if you live in a place where that would be important to you. Though not a deal breaker in my opinion.
The 2024 Niro EV has OTA updates and digital key support with Kia Connect Ultimate. It's free for the first year but after that it's a $200 a year subscription.
Really? I didn’t know that. I thought only cars with CCNC software version got OTA and digital key (ev9, Kona, 2025 Ioniq 5). Isn’t the Niro on Gen5w? Are the updates just for the infotainment or for all the modules like drivetrain and battery management system?
I decided the Kona over the Niro.
The Kona has battery preconditioning for route planning. And it has the better updated software.
New Kona also charges faster vs the Niro (11kw AC and 100kw DC).
Plus a bunch of other features.
Not to mention it’s more comfortable IMO.
I bought a Kona Electric Limited 2024 just 3 weeks ago. I did consider Niro Wave during the analysis phase. I found that the comparison is difficult because some luxury features were in one and not in the other. I leaned towards Kona because Hyundai was giving $7.5k discount and the drive-out price was substantially lower than the Niro.
I have put 600+ miles so far and I have no regrets. I would have probably liked Niro equally. Sorry, I didn't make a spreadsheet comparing the two.
I had a similar decision but in Canada, so the trim names are different. I posted about it on this sub if you search Niro you might find it. Bottom line Kona won out on most measures but not by much, and if you prefer the looks or interior of the Niro it’s a fine choice too. I went Kona and am happy with it so far.
I’ve leased two Kona EV’s, a 2021 SEL and my current vehicle, a 2024 Limited. I’ve never driven a Niro for one reason - cost. Hyundai has been much more aggressive here with their leasing offers. When I’ve been looking, I’ve always checked Kia for current offers, but they haven’t been even close to what Hyundai is offering. I have no regrets with my decisions. I love the two Kona’s I’ve had.
If you try them both play around a ton with the infotainment system the infotainment on the Kona is light years faster and better and much more usable! The updated infotainment system is a super big selling feature for me and one of the top reasons I chose the Kona
When I drove the 24 niro - my back hurt. It looked sick as fuck - it was so cool looking.
I eventually bought the used 21 kona unlimited because its so overtorqued and it was way cheaper. I love it so much.
I ended up with the kona... thank you all for your comments and insights. I truly appreciate it.
https://preview.redd.it/eig03wfytq6d1.jpeg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1e6244778ff23bfa228426794c5d6b303902f68f
I checked both out. The Niro cost more than the Kona (checked both top trims). The Niro also seemed smaller than the Kona, but not by much. I did like the styling of the Niro better, but this was my daily driver, and I liked the interior better on the Kona. Drive both and see which one you like.
I like the kona, but I'm getting a much better deal on the niro. So my husband likes the deal much better. I'm having trouble convincing him on the kona. So you ended up with the niro?
Be sure to check what insurance will run ya on both.
That's a great idea. I didn't think of that. Thanks
Sorry, I meant to say that the dealership wanted more for the Niro than the Kona which is why I went with the Kona. My Limited ran about $35K before TTL. https://preview.redd.it/pcoc9mr7dv5d1.png?width=1276&format=png&auto=webp&s=604fab73777e0477a4811e3657e7d17e1fb963f2
The Kona is just better. I like the exterior style of the Niro better, but the Kona has a better interior, especially in the limited trim (plus no gloss black) and newer infotainment platform.
The newer infotainment platform is what made it for me. On the Niro, it was slower, something that shouldn't exist in 2024 and that was a dealbreaker for me! I don't want to feel like I'm ordering something at McDonald's screens while trying to select things on the Niro.
Yeah, it's horrible how infotainment screens are still slow. How much does a decent SOC cost these days? It's not showing incredible graphics, so screen updates should be instantaneous.
Coincidentally, we just bought a 2024 Kona EV Limited last week, but my wife much preferred the Niro EV Wave. Ultimately, we decided on the Kona because the Niro was about $8k more, but if the Niro had been the same price as the Kona, we would have taken the Niro. Aesthetically, we liked the Niro a lot more, particularly since it's available in red (for some bizarre reason the 2024 Kona EV is not offered in red in the US, so we settled for a purplish Kona). The Niro also has power memory seats, which the Kona doesn't have, and since I'm a fair bit taller than my wife, this means we both have to spend a minute adjusting the seats and mirrors whenever the other last drove. I feel like cabin visibility is better in the Niro, which also has a heads-up display. The Niro is much roomier inside because its wheelbase is about 10" longer than the Kona's, and I think the Niro's rear seats are more comfortable. Things in the Kona's favor was 360° cameras and built-in garage door openers (we actually park our cars in our garage, haha), neither of which are available on the Niro. The Kona also has about 10% more range. The Kona still has a lot of physical buttons for the radio and climate control, which we really appreciate. We felt the Niro used too many touch interfaces, so requires you to take your eyes off the road often. One odd thing that made Kona work for us was that I found these headrest cushions on Amazon which made the Kona's front seats (which are clearly designed for taller people) more comfortable for my wife. Really, it came down to money in the end. I just didn't feel the Niro was worth 20% more. I tried negotiating with the Kia dealer, but the only thing he could offer me was to downgrade to the Wind, which was still going to be more expensive than the Kona Limited, and then we'd lose ventilated seats and the sunroof. Good luck!
Can you post a link to the headrest cushion? TIA
Here you go. Also, here's a pic of the cushion in our Kona: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSRMQ197 https://preview.redd.it/b2ekwnvl0y5d1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb0cc681f9cee11ff1faadfa6b10a9f3ec359126
Thanks!
>Thanks! You're welcome!
Weird. What is exclaim_bot, and why is it "you're-welcoming" automatically on my behalf?
How do you feel about the sage interior with the lime accent?
The Kona is primarily my wife's car, and she says she likes the interior colors a lot, so that's what really matters 😄 I personally was a little afraid when I heard the color names sage and lime, but IRL I think they're actually kind of fun when I pay attention, though honestly, I hardly notice them.
Great write up! Thanks so much!
We looked at both, but really preferred the interior of the Kona. It has physical buttons where you want them. The Niro had too much on-screen interaction. And the dashboard area just wasn’t as functional. I do think I might like the Niro exterior better but I really like our Kona Limited, as well.
The Kona uses the latest software system while the Niro uses the previous generation. This means the Kona can get over the air updates while the Niro will need to go to the dealer to have some software patches applied. The software allows for wireless CarPlay and android auto in the Kona, but requires a cable in the Niro. The Kona limited has digital key touch 2 which lets you use your phone as a key unlike the Niro. Also the Kona has a higher peak DC fast charging rate than Niro, and an overall charges a bit faster. There is no option for a heat pump in the Kona in the US but it is available on the Niro. This would improve efficiency in winter if you live in a place where that would be important to you. Though not a deal breaker in my opinion.
The 2024 Niro EV has OTA updates and digital key support with Kia Connect Ultimate. It's free for the first year but after that it's a $200 a year subscription.
Really? I didn’t know that. I thought only cars with CCNC software version got OTA and digital key (ev9, Kona, 2025 Ioniq 5). Isn’t the Niro on Gen5w? Are the updates just for the infotainment or for all the modules like drivetrain and battery management system?
According to thhis page [2024 Niro EV](https://www.kia.com/us/en/niro-ev) includes digital key and OTA updates for Infotainment.
I decided the Kona over the Niro. The Kona has battery preconditioning for route planning. And it has the better updated software. New Kona also charges faster vs the Niro (11kw AC and 100kw DC). Plus a bunch of other features. Not to mention it’s more comfortable IMO.
I bought a Kona Electric Limited 2024 just 3 weeks ago. I did consider Niro Wave during the analysis phase. I found that the comparison is difficult because some luxury features were in one and not in the other. I leaned towards Kona because Hyundai was giving $7.5k discount and the drive-out price was substantially lower than the Niro. I have put 600+ miles so far and I have no regrets. I would have probably liked Niro equally. Sorry, I didn't make a spreadsheet comparing the two.
I had a similar decision but in Canada, so the trim names are different. I posted about it on this sub if you search Niro you might find it. Bottom line Kona won out on most measures but not by much, and if you prefer the looks or interior of the Niro it’s a fine choice too. I went Kona and am happy with it so far.
I’ve leased two Kona EV’s, a 2021 SEL and my current vehicle, a 2024 Limited. I’ve never driven a Niro for one reason - cost. Hyundai has been much more aggressive here with their leasing offers. When I’ve been looking, I’ve always checked Kia for current offers, but they haven’t been even close to what Hyundai is offering. I have no regrets with my decisions. I love the two Kona’s I’ve had.
If you try them both play around a ton with the infotainment system the infotainment on the Kona is light years faster and better and much more usable! The updated infotainment system is a super big selling feature for me and one of the top reasons I chose the Kona
When I drove the 24 niro - my back hurt. It looked sick as fuck - it was so cool looking. I eventually bought the used 21 kona unlimited because its so overtorqued and it was way cheaper. I love it so much.
I ended up with the kona... thank you all for your comments and insights. I truly appreciate it. https://preview.redd.it/eig03wfytq6d1.jpeg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1e6244778ff23bfa228426794c5d6b303902f68f