2026 head-to-head · Small SUV
2026 Kia Niro vs Nissan Ariya
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, the most efficient 2026 Kia Niro (53 MPG) costs about $877 a year to fuel and the 2026 Nissan Ariya (101 MPGe) about $899.
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
- Nissan Ariya
Side by side
| Kia Niro | Nissan Ariya | |
|---|---|---|
| $877 | Your annual fuel cost | $899 |
| 53 MPG | Combined efficiency | 101 MPGe |
| 53 MPG | City | 109 MPGe |
| 54 MPG | Highway | 94 MPGe |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 33.3 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 216 mi |
| 105 cu ft | Passenger volume | 101 cu ft |
| 23 cu ft | Cargo volume | 28 cu ft |
| 167 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 0 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 9/10 |
| 8/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 10 hrs |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Electric |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Electricity |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | Electric motor (160 kW) |
| 6-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | Single-speed |
| 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 vs Nissan Ariya across model years
- Kia Niro
- Nissan Ariya
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
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Kia Niro has more passenger space (105 vs. 101 cu ft); the Nissan Ariya has more cargo space (28 vs. 23 cu ft).
Among 114 2026 small SUVs, the Kia Niro ranks 20th and the Nissan Ariya 22nd for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Nissan Ariya 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; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Kia Niro or the 2026 Nissan Ariya?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Niro. The Kia Niro is rated 53 MPG combined and the Nissan Ariya 101 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Kia Niro vs. the Nissan Ariya per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $877 for the Kia Niro and $899 for the Nissan Ariya.
Which has more cargo space?
The Nissan Ariya, with 28 cu ft of luggage volume versus 23 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Kia Niro vs Nissan Ariya in other years
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