Compare the2024 Kia Niro EVVS 2024 BMW i5

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Kia Niro EV are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW i5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Niro EV’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The i5 doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Niro EV and the i5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

The Niro EV comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The i5’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Niro EV 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than BMW covers the i5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the i5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Kia dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Niro EV’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 42 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 15th.

On the EPA test cycle the Niro EV gets better mileage than the i5:

For better maneuverability, the Niro EV’s turning circle is 4.2 feet tighter than the i5 M60 xDrive’s (34.8 feet vs. 39 feet). The Niro EV’s turning circle is 5.6 feet tighter than the i5 eDrive40’s (34.8 feet vs. 40.4 feet).

The Kia Niro EV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1200 to 1550 pounds less than the BMW i5.

The Niro EV is 2 feet, 1.2 inches shorter than the i5, making the Niro EV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Niro EV uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The i5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Niro EV has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear legroom than the i5.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Niro EV has a standard rear wiper. The i5 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Niro EV has standard extendable sun visors. The i5 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Niro EV Wave has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The i5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Niro EV, based on reliability, safety and performance.