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Hyundai Tucson vs Kia Niro

2026 Hyundai Tucson vs 2026 Kia Niro — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Hyundai Tucson

2026 Hyundai Tucson

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS0 – 5Kia Niro wins 5 of 5 categories
Kia Niro

2026 Kia Niro

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Kia Niro is more fuel-efficient: 53 vs 38 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,050 a year less in fuel for the Kia Niro (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Hyundai Tucson is the bigger car, about 8 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Kia Niro has had fewer recall campaigns (12 vs 29).

The two cars

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 182 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,468 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

The 2026 Kia Niro is a small SUV offered with a 1.6L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive. It measures about 174 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,717 lb (EV).

Buying used? The 2021 Tucson and the 2021 Niro have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 Tucson and the 2017 Niro.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
EV, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid
1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

38 MPG
Best combined MPG
53 MPG
38 city
City / highway MPG (best)
53 city
–
EV range
253 mi
$1,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$700

Performance & space

187 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
182.3 in
Length
174 in
73.2 in
Width
71.7 in
64.2 in
Height
61.8 in
3,340 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,217 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
13
6
Recalls (2026)
0
29
Recalls, all years since 2005
12
99
Owner complaints (latest year)
2

Interest

22,259
Wikipedia views, 30 days
9,407

Buying used

2021
Best used year
2021
2016
Year to avoid
2017

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Hyundai Tucson if…

  • You want more room (8 in longer)
  • You need AWD or 4WD

Choose the Kia Niro if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (53 vs 38 MPG)
  • You want an EV with more range (253 miles)
  • You want something easier to park (8 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (12 vs 29 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Hyundai Tucson

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

2026 Kia Niro

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 53 MPG combined — 75% better than the average 2026 small SUV (30.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • No AWD or 4WDTwo-wheel drive only, unusual for a small SUV.

Full 2026 Hyundai Tucson specs →Full 2026 Kia Niro specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →