2026 head-to-head · Small SUV
2026 Kia Niro EV vs Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
FWD · Electric motor (150 kW) · Single-speed · 113 MPGe · 253 mi
FWD · 1.6L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 108 MPGe + 48 MPG
The 2026 Kia Niro EV is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $810 a year to fuel (113 MPGe), versus $887 for the 2026 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid (108 MPGe + 48 MPG). That's roughly $77 a year, or about $384 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Kia Niro EV
- Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Kia Niro EV | Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $810 | Your annual fuel cost | $887 |
| 113 MPGe | Combined efficiency | 108 MPGe + 48 MPG |
| 126 MPGe | City | 113 MPGe / 49 MPG |
| 101 MPGe | Highway | 102 MPGe / 47 MPG |
| 30 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 31 kWh |
| 253 mi | Driving range | 510 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 33 mi |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 105 cu ft |
| 23 cu ft | Cargo volume | 19 cu ft |
| 0 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 71 g/mi |
| 9/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 9/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 7.5 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 2.8 hrs |
| Electric | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Electricity | Fuel | Regular gas + electricity |
| Electric motor (150 kW) | Engine / motor | 1.6L 4-cyl |
| Single-speed | Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Kia Niro EV vs Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Kia Niro EV
- Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 510 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 253 miles for the Kia Niro EV.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (105 vs. 100 cu ft); the Kia Niro EV has more cargo space (23 vs. 19 cu ft).
Among 114 2026 small SUVs, the Kia Niro EV ranks 12th and the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid 21st for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Kia Niro EV is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Kia Niro EV or the 2026 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Niro EV. The Kia Niro EV is rated 113 MPGe combined and the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid 108 MPGe + 48 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Kia Niro EV vs. the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $810 for the Kia Niro EV and $887 for the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more range?
The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid: about 510 miles versus 253 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Kia Niro EV, with 23 cu ft of luggage volume versus 19 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Kia Niro EV vs Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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