Compare the2026 Acura ADXVS 2026 Kia Niro

The Acura ADX 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.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the ADX deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The ADX’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Niro’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Acura ADX achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Kia Niro has not been tested.

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

The ADX A-Spec offers an optional Multiview Camera System 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 ADX 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, front wheel drive, 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 Acura ADX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Niro has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

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

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 4 places higher in reliability than Kia.

The ADX’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 more horsepower (190 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura ADX is faster than the Kia Niro:

Both the ADX and Niro have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The ADX has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The ADX has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (14 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The ADX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Niro doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The ADX has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Niro doesn’t offer a CVT.

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

For better traction, the ADX has larger standard tires than the Niro (225/55R18 vs. 205/60R16). The ADX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro (235/45R19 vs. 225/45R18).

The ADX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Niro’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ADX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The ADX A-Spec’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro SX Touring.

The ADX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Niro doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The ADX AWD has a standard space-saver spare (not available on FWD) 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.

The ADX A-Spec AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Niro SX (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the ADX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro (7.3 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the ADX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The ADX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Niro doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The ADX has .4 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front hip room and .3 inches more front shoulder room than the Niro.

The ADX has a much larger cargo volume than the Niro with its rear seat up (24.4 vs. 22.8 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 45% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

The ADX has a standard Keyless Access System that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Niro EX/SX offers a Smart Key.

The ADX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Niro’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The ADX’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 quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura ADX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Niro EX/SX offers wireless charging.