The Hybrid SUV Comparison – 2018 Kia Niro vs. 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander

April 30, 2018

The secret is out – buyers love hybrid crossovers. They combine the traditional benefits of driving an SUV with things like vastly superior comfort, expansive cargo space, improved sightlines, gripping off-road performance, etc. with the additional perk of superior fuel-efficiency.

With hybrid-crossovers are becoming more prominent, and the 2018 Kia Niro and the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander are two popular models with a lot to offer.

Which of those two models has the edge? Let’s compare some of the categories that drivers consistently rate as important:

Price:

Those who are price-conscious will feel a fierce preference for the 2018 Niro. The Kia model starts at $23,340 MSRP for its base-model FWD FE, while the base-model Outlander PHEV SEL S-AWC starts at $34,595. You don’t have to be a math wizard to know that’s roughly a $11,000 difference in favor of the Niro. If you’re like most working humans, you can probably think of a few things to buy with that extra $11,000.

Those who prefer a little extra pizazz will be pleased to know that the tricked out versions of each vehicle scores a clear price victory for the Niro as well. The GT trim level for the Outlander PHEV starts at $40,295, whereas the Touring version of the Niro sets you back only $32,000.

Advantage: Niro.

Range:

You’re probably buying a hybrid vehicle, rather than a fully electric vehicle, because you’re concerned about range. It’s certainly a valid concern for drivers who frequently travel long distances. If you are indeed a long-distance driver, the Niro is clearly the better choice as it nearly doubles the fuel efficiency of the Outlander. The Niro delivers a combined driving range of 560 miles on one tank of gas, plus a full charge, while the Outlander delivers only 310 miles.

Furthermore the Niro yields 26 miles running on “electric only”, versus only 22 for the Outlander. That is an incredibly important advantage, and provides you with 18% more distance and therefore 18% more peace of mind during your daily commute. Because of that difference the amount of time you spend burning gasoline and money at the pump will be reduced significantly. Considering the Niro costs significantly less as well, this is a remarkably decisive advantage.

Advantage: Niro.

Cargo Space & Hauling Capacity

This is an area of significant difference between the two models – and it depends on how you use your SUV to see which combination works for you. The Niro, which is on the car-influenced side of the crossover SUV spectrum, offers 19.4ft3 with the seat up and a 54.5ft3 with the back seats folded flat.

The Outlander, on the other hand, has 34.2ft3 with the back seats up and 63.3ft3 with the seats down. That’s a big difference and advantage for the Outlander.

Or is it?

The Outlander is a full 7in taller and 13in longer than the Niro. If urban errands are the norm, trying to parallel park a 15.4ft long SUV is a bit more difficult when every inch matters. While the difference is big, there is a big tradeoff for all that extra space.

Advantage: Draw.

Performance:

If feeling a rush of acceleration and a jolt of horsepower is your primary concern, the Outlander is the more powerful vehicle. As tested by Motor Trend, the Outlander accelerates from 0-60mph in 9.2 seconds, compared to 9.9 seconds for the Niro. The Outlander is 1000lbs heavier than the Niro as well – we can see where Mitsubishi placed their emphasis.

That power comes at a price, and that price is range – in which the Outlander suffers a 250mi/tank disadvantage. Neither SUV will win you any trophies at the Wednesday night drag races either. Is the power advantage worth the range penalty? We don’t think so – there are non-hybrid SUVs that provide better results than what the Outlander delivers and in this efficiency class, they come up a bit short.

Advantage: Niro.

Summary:

Ask yourself this question – why am I buying a hybrid crossover? For most drivers, the answer is desiring the traditional comforts of an standard SUV, while also wanting to be environmentally conscious and save money on gas. The Niro does a better job of accomplishing those wishes. The Niro has drastically better fuel efficiency and gas mileage, which therefore allows you to be more environmentally conscious, and it also simultaneously saves you thousands of dollars. That’s what we like to call a win-win-win decision.

Ready to act on that decision? Call Dick Hannah Kia and schedule your test drive today.