Early in the shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), finding a crossover with decent range was tough. But that’s beginning to change with offerings like the 2025 Kia Niro EV and the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4.
Kia has jumped into electrification with both feet. The Niro EV, which saw a significant makeover for the 2023 model year, gives anyone looking for an entry-level battery-electric utility vehicle a strong starting point.
Meanwhile, VW’s ID.4 retains its familiarity — at least looks-wise — since its introduction for the 2021 model year. As with many of the early options, the ID.4 has been tweaked and updated to make it more competitive in a tough market.
Let’s take a look at these EV leaders.
2025 Kia Niro EV
The Kia Niro EV has been around in one form or another for five model years. The Niro model can be ordered as a conventional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, or a full EV — the last being the focus of this comparison.
The Niro is a compact crossover with an attractive exterior shape and room for a family of five. At the same time, it’s nimble and quick. It’s also a comfortable ride for a long trip, offering plenty of cargo space behind the second row for whatever you may need to take.
Sometimes the move into an EV can be confusing with all of the available trims and powertrains. This isn’t a problem with the Niro EV, as there are just two trim levels: Wind and Wave. Nothing has changed for 2025. Both utilize a 64.8-kWh battery with a powertrain producing 201 horsepower and a range of up to 253 miles. The difference between the two trim levels relates to technology and amenities in each. Pricing for the Kia Niro EV starts at $40,975, including destination charges.
Kia Niro EV Highlights
Zippy performance: Unlike a gas-powered car, EVs boast acceleration that feels like a light switch. Even with just 201 horsepower, the Niro EV offers quick and immediate response. Just remember this: The more often you push the accelerator to the floor, the quicker you’ll need to find a charging station.
Roomy cabin: Despite being a compact crossover, the Niro EV is very roomy thanks in part to the absence of a transmission tunnel. It’s a well-designed cabin that uses recycled materials, including vegan leather.
Leading warranty: The Niro EV may use the latest electrical architecture, but it still gets Kia’s impressive 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty — best in its class.
Read our Kia Niro EV Expert Review or see 2025 Kia Niro EV models for sale near you.
2025 Volkswagen ID.4
2024 model shown
When Volkswagen rolled out the ID.4 a few years back, it captured plenty of attention. It was a fine EV but soon faced considerable competition. With time, VW has steadily improved the ID.4 to make it go farther and faster while also being nicer inside.
For 2025, the company made few changes after the big updates in 2024. It features seven trim levels within three categories: Entry, S and S Plus. All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional in the Entry and S categories and standard on the S Plus.
On the inside, the new ID.4 S and S Plus trims feature a 12.9-inch touchscreen with backlit sliders. Now all models with the 62-kWh battery add standard 12.9-inch display with backlit sliders and S models with 62-kWh battery add ventilated front row seats. Pricing has yet to be released but is expected to come in slightly higher than the 2024 model’s $41,160 starting price.
Volkswagen ID.4 Highlights
More juice, please: VW offers a larger battery, and you can charge it faster using a DC fast charger. Is it maxed out to 350 kWh? No, but it’s halfway there. That makes it faster than most of its competition, including the Niro EV. You can also precondition the battery to accept a charge quicker as well.
Let me hear it: The ID.4 offers a 480-watt premium sound system from Harman Kardon. With all that power blasting through nine speakers, including a center speaker plus a subwoofer, no one will be able to say they didn’t hear you coming.
Power up: One of the major upgrades to the ID.4’s 82-kWh models is new performance technology that delivers greater horsepower and range compared to the previous model. The rear-wheel-drive ID.4 now produces an impressive 282 hp, while the all-wheel-drive iteration puts out around 335 hp.
Read our Volkswagen ID.4 Expert Review or see 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 models for sale near you.
Similarities
As is so often the case with smaller crossovers, there are numerous similarities between the Kia Niro EV and the Volkswagen ID.4. They’re both comfortable 5-seat hatchback designs, both base models have 201 hp, and both EVs start at about $40,000.
Pricing
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The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia Niro EV vehicles and vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Kia Niro EV | 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 201 hp |
| Torque | 188 lb-ft | 229 lb-ft |
| Battery Pack | 64.8 kWh | 62 kWh |
| EV Range | 253 miles | 291 miles |
| Also Available | 82 kWh battery, AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 107.0 inches | 108.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 174.0 inches | 180.5 inches |
| Width | 71.8 inches | 72.9 inches |
| Height | 61.8 inches | 64.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 31.5 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.5 inches | 40.6 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.1 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.5 inches | 41.1 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 36.9 inches | 37.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.3 inches | 57.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.4 inches | 53.5 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 22.8 cubic feet | 30.3 cubic feet |
Conclusion
However, there are plenty of differences. Need more cargo room? Go with the ID.4. Need nearly 300 miles of range? Well, it’s the VW again. All-wheel drive? Yup, the ID.4 again. On the other hand, the Kia Niro EV boasts a best-in-class warranty and a highly distinctive design. Deciding which traits matter most to you can help you decide between these two solid choices.
