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Kia Niro vs Subaru Forester

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

Kia Niro

2026 Kia Niro

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDHybrid/EV
VS5 – 1Kia Niro wins 5 of 6 categories
Subaru Forester

2026 Subaru Forester

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Kia Niro is more fuel-efficient: 53 vs 35 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,200 a year less in fuel for the Kia Niro (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Subaru Forester is the bigger car, about 10 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Kia Niro has had fewer recall campaigns (12 vs 39).

The two cars

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).

The 2026 Subaru Forester is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,580 lb.

Buying used? The 2021 Niro and the 2024 Forester have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2017 Niro and the 2019 Forester.

Basics

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

Efficiency

53 MPG
Best combined MPG
35 MPG
53 city
City / highway MPG (best)
35 city
253 mi
EV range
–
$700
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,900

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
180 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
174 in
Length
183.5 in
71.7 in
Width
72 in
61.8 in
Height
68.1 in
3,217 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,580 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
14
0
Recalls (2026)
4
12
Recalls, all years since 2005
39
2
Owner complaints (latest year)
32

Interest

9,407
Wikipedia views, 30 days
21,870

Buying used

2021
Best used year
2024
2017
Year to avoid
2019

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

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Kia Niro if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (53 vs 35 MPG)
  • You want an EV with more range (253 miles)
  • You want something easier to park (10 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (12 vs 39 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Subaru Forester if…

  • You want more room (10 in longer)
  • You need AWD or 4WD

Pros & cons of each

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.

2026 Subaru Forester

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 35% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

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