The 2025 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) and 2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid are two appealing options in the growing world of plug-in hybrid SUVs. They each have room for five aboard and come equipped with frugal gas-fed 4-cylinder engines augmented by electric motors. This means they can run purely on electric power for shorter distances like trips to the market or perhaps the daily commute.
Once the battery runs low, the gas-powered engine kicks into action for extra range and versatility until you can recharge. You can have the extra space of a typical SUV with the perk of super affordable fuel costs.
Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of the Niro Plug-in Hybrid and Escape Plug-in Hybrid.
2025 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
The 2025 Niro Plug-in Hybrid is available in two trims and has a starting price of $35,865. Standard features are generous and include smartphone connectivity, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, wireless device charging, dual-zone climate control, and a total of 5 USB ports. It doesn’t hurt that this latest iteration of the Niro, which launched for the 2023 model year, is wrapped in a fresh and modern-looking design. For 2025, the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid SX Touring trim gets a Cold Weather package as standard.
Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Highlights
Dual-screen display: The combination of a 10.25-inch digital instrument display alongside a 10.25-inch touchscreen looks excellent and wouldn’t look out of place in a luxury-badged vehicle. Even better is that its beauty isn’t only screen-deep. The graphics are superb, and the menus are simple to navigate.
Standard safety gear: Kia also loads the Niro Plug-in Hybrid with many driver aids. You get automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and much more. It’s all part of what’s called the Kia Drive Wise suite of safety features.
Fuel economy: The Niro Plug-in Hybrid remains very green even after using up its 33 miles of electric range. It gets an EPA-reported 48 mpg combined when the battery runs out. For comparison, the less efficient Escape Plug-In Hybrid delivers 40 mpg combined while running on its 4-cylinder gas engine.
Worry-free warranty: Want to avoid expensive hassles down the road? Then remember that the Niro Plug-in Hybrid has a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty paired with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Read our Kia Niro Expert Review or see 2025 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid models for sale near you.
2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid
The Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is more expensive than its Kia rival here, with its price coming in at $39,895. True, the Ford is slightly larger, and this is most apparent when comparing available cargo space – hint: the Ford wins.
There is only one trim level when opting for the plug-in version of this compact 5-seat SUV. Because of this, the Escape Plug-in Hybrid also comes with a very long roster of standard comfort and safety features.
Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Highlights
Electric-only range: When fully charged, the Escape Plug-in Hybrid can travel 37 miles before its battery is drained. That’s a slightly longer all-electric range than the Kia.
Sliding second-row seats: Need a little more rear legroom for taller passengers? The sliding second-row seats in the Escape are beneficial when shuffling between toting passengers or freeing up more cargo space as needed.
Cargo volume: While we’re on the subject of trunk volume, it’s worth pointing out the Escape Plug-in Hybrid has 34.4 cubic feet of space behind its second row. That’s a considerable 15 cubic-foot advantage over the Niro.
Premium B&O audio: Optional is a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system that delivers an extremely rich sound. It imparts an upmarket auditory feel to this electrified Ford.
Read our Ford Escape Expert Review or see 2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid models for sale near you.
Similarities
They’re both practical SUVs that are relatively affordable, offer a commanding view of the road, and can run short driving errands without using a drop of gasoline. One possible shared demerit for some SUV shoppers is that neither is available with all-wheel drive.
Conclusion
We recommend taking a test drive of a plug-in hybrid for any car shoppers interested in an electrified vehicle but remain on the fence about depending purely on recharging to get around on a daily basis.
Of the two, the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid scores highly regarding cabin quality, efficiency, and the excellent warranty coverage we pointed out. Yet the Escape Plug-in Hybrid battles back with that handy sliding second row and bigger cargo hold.
Unless you need the extra space, we think the Kia represents the better overall model, with the bonus of having a lower price tag.
New 2025 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (43085)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$35,885 |
$35,253 |
|||
$42,185 |
$41,442 |
New 2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (43085)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$39,895 |
$37,880 |
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 Plug-in Hybrid vehicles and New 2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid 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.
| 2025 Kia Niro PHEV | 2025 Ford Escape PHEV | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter gas-electric 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter gas-electric 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5,700 rpm | 210 hp @ 6,250 rpm |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft @ | 155 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel economy MPG | 108 MPGe/48 mpg combined | 101 MPGe/40 mpg combined |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | 5 star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 inches | 106.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 174.0 inches | 180.5 inches |
| Width | 71.9 inches | 74.1 inches |
| Height | 60.8 inches | 66.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.8 feet | 38.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.5 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.6 inches | 39.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.5 inches | 42.4 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.8 inches | 38.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.3 inches | 57.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.4 inches | 56.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 19.4 cubic feet | 34.4 cubic feet |
