Toyota Prius vs Kia Niro: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Toyota Prius is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,150 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Prius, 57 MPG combined), against $1,230 for the Kia Niro (Niro FE, 53 MPG combined). That is $80 a year, or $400 over five years.
A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Hybrid
- Midsize cars
Toyota Prius
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Prius
$7.67 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
4 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Kia Niro
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Niro FE
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$8.20 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
4 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Toyota Prius$1,150 a year · $7.67 per 100 mi
- Kia Niro$1,230 a year · $8.20 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$80
Toyota Prius costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$400
$80 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Toyota Prius | Kia Niro |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Prius | Niro FE |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 57 MPG (better) | 53 MPG |
| City rating | 57 MPG (better) | 53 MPG |
| Highway rating | 56 MPG (better) | 54 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,150/yr (better) | $1,230/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $7.67 (better) | $8.20 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,150–$1,330 | $820–$1,330 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 4 | 4 |
| EPA class | Midsize cars | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Toyota Prius | Kia Niro |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 57 MPG · $1,150/yr Prius | 53 MPG · $1,230/yr Niro FE |
| Plug-in hybrid | Not offered in MY2026 | 48 MPG gas-only · $1,040/yr Niro Plug-in Hybrid |
| Electric | Not offered in MY2026 | 113 MPGe · $820/yr Niro Electric |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Toyota Prius
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,150 vs $1,230
- Higher combined rating: 57 MPG vs 53 MPG
- Higher city rating: 57 MPG vs 53 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 56 MPG vs 54 MPG
Kia Niro
- Offers plug-in hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Toyota Prius does not
- Offers electric configurations in MY2026; the Toyota Prius does not
Year by year
| Model year | Toyota Prius | Kia Niro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 49–57 MPG | $1,150–$1,330 | 48–53 MPG | $820–$1,330 |
| 2025 | 48–57 MPG | $870–$1,330 | 48–53 MPG | $820–$1,330 |
| 2024 | 49–57 MPG | $1,150–$1,330 | 49–53 MPG | $800–$1,330 |
| 2023 | 49–57 MPG | $1,150–$1,330 | 48–53 MPG | $800–$1,330 |
| 2022 | 49–56 MPG | $1,170–$1,330 | 43–50 MPG | $820–$1,520 |
| 2021 | 49–56 MPG | $1,170–$1,330 | 43–50 MPG | $820–$1,520 |
| 2020 | 46–56 MPG | $1,170–$1,410 | 43–50 MPG | $820–$1,510 |
| 2019 | 50–56 MPG | $1,170–$1,310 | 43–50 MPG | $820–$1,510 |
| 2018 | 52–56 MPG | $1,170–$1,250 | 43–50 MPG | $1,120–$1,510 |
| 2017 | 52–56 MPG | $1,170–$1,260 | 43–50 MPG | $1,300–$1,510 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year. Electric configurations are not included in the MPG range of a year that also has other powertrains.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota Prius or the Kia Niro?
The Toyota Prius is cheaper: about $1,150 a year against $1,230 for the Kia Niro, a difference of $80 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Toyota Prius save over five years?
About $400 ($80 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Toyota Prius or the Kia Niro?
The Toyota Prius is rated 57 MPG combined against 53 MPG for the Kia Niro. City: 57 MPG vs 53 MPG. Highway: 56 MPG vs 54 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Toyota Prius and the Kia Niro in the same class?
The EPA classes the Toyota Prius as Midsize cars and the Kia Niro as Small SUVs, so they are listed as rivals.
Explore these cars
- Toyota Prius: ratings, trims and every model year
- Kia Niro: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Toyota Prius: all configurations
- 2026 Kia Niro: all configurations
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