Compare the2026 Mazda CX-30VS 2025 Kia Niro

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Mazda CX-30 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Niro doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The CX-30 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Niro doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The CX-30 has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The CX-30 Premium/Turbo Aire has a standard 360° View Monitor 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 CX-30 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 Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Kia Niro:

	CX-30	Niro
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	148	241
Neck Injury Risk	26.7%	29%
Neck Compression	18 lbs.	57 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	179	362
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Compression	85 lbs.	120 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 Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Kia Niro:

	CX-30	Niro
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	60	182
Chest Movement	.8 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	230 lbs.	246 lbs.
Hip Force	239 lbs.	424 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	121	392
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	81 G’s
Hip Force	623 lbs.	919 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	161	474
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	685 lbs.	692 lbs.

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

The Mazda CX-30 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Niro has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Warranty

The CX-30’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Niro runs out after 100,000 miles.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-30’s reliability 19 points higher than the Niro.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 11th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 3 places higher in reliability than Kia.

Engine

The CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (186 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The CX-30’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 111 more horsepower (250 vs. 139) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 195) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-30 is faster than the Kia Niro:

	CX-30 4 cyl.	CX-30 turbo 4 cyl.	Niro
Zero to 60 MPH	7.8 sec	6.8 sec	9.1 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	15.1 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.3 MPH	91.4 MPH	81.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-30 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Niro doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-30 has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (12.7 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CX-30’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

	CX-30	Niro
Front Rotors	11.6 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	10.4 inches	10.3 inches
Opt Rear Rotors	11.9 inches

The CX-30 stops shorter than the Niro:

	CX-30	Niro
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	121 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CX-30 has larger tires than the Niro (215/65R16 vs. 205/60R16).

The CX-30 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 CX-30 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Niro SX (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CX-30 has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro (8 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the CX-30 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The CX-30 has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room and .2 inches more rear hip room than the Niro.

Ergonomics

The CX-30’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’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 CX-30 has a standard Pushbutton 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 CX-30’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.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-30 Premium/Turbo Aire has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Niro doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-30’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Niro offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Compared to traditional radio, the Mazda CX-30’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.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Mazda CX-30 retains 60.49% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 52.89% resale value of the 2025 Kia Niro after five years, which can save the Mazda’s owner up to $2760.263994 in depreciation.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-30 and the Kia Niro, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-30 outsold the Kia Niro by almost three to one during 2024.

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