Compare the2026 Ford Escape FHEVVS 2025 Kia Niro

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

Safety

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In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ford Escape FHEV 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 Escape FHEV has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply 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 Escape FHEV has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Escape FHEV offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Escape FHEV and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 driver alert monitors.

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

	Escape FHEV	Niro
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	143	241
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	29%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	201 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	57 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	102	362
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	120 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 lbs.	601/129 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 Ford Escape FHEV is safer than the Kia Niro:

	Escape FHEV	Niro
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	191 lbs.	246 lbs.
Hip Force	240 lbs.	424 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	392
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	81 G’s
Hip Force	816 lbs.	919 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	13 inches
HIC	344	474
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	692 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Escape FHEV’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Niro runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape FHEV’s warranty.

Reliability

The Escape FHEV has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Niro doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

The battery on the Escape FHEV is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Escape FHEV’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Niro’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escape FHEV first among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Niro isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The Escape FHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 53 more horsepower (192 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Escape FHEV is faster than the Kia Niro:

	Escape FHEV	Niro
Zero to 60 MPH	8.1 sec	9.1 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.7 MPH	81.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Escape FHEV has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (14.3 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Escape FHEV has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Niro doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

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

Transmission

The Escape FHEV has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Niro doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Escape FHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

	Escape FHEV	Niro
Front Rotors	13 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	10.3 inches

The Escape FHEV stops shorter than the Niro:

	Escape FHEV	Niro
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	144 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escape FHEV has larger tires than the Niro (225/55R19 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape FHEV has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The Escape FHEV’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring.

The Escape FHEV 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.

Passenger Space

The Escape FHEV has .9 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape FHEV has a much larger cargo volume than the Niro with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 22.8 cubic feet).

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Escape FHEV. The Niro doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Escape FHEV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro has no towing capacity.

The Escape FHEV can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Escape FHEV can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Niro can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape FHEV uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Niro doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Escape FHEV SEL/Titanium’s 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 SX’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Escape FHEV’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Niro doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Escape FHEV has standard Intelligent Access that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Niro EX/SX offers a Smart Key.

The Escape FHEV’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Niro’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Escape FHEV’s 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.

Compared to traditional radio, the Ford Escape FHEV’s 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 Ford Escape outsold the Kia Niro by over four to one during 2024.

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