Hyundai and Kia, these two corporate siblings, no doubt, has a lot in common, but both brands have been careful enough to distinguish themselves.

For anyone looking to lease a non-luxury electric crossover in the US today, the Hyundai and Kia brands offer one of the finest lease alternatives in the Hyundai’s Kona and the Kia’s Niro EVs. In fact, these two South Korean EVs are one of the most desirable subcompact crossover EVs, thanks to their first-class build quality, fun to drive nature, and affordability.

If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to jump on the bandwagon of the trendy EV crossovers, leasing either of these Korean EVs offers you just that. However, with both brands sharing a lot in common and both EVs sharing the same platforms and other components except design language and a few tweaks, what is the best small crossover EV to lease. Is leasing the 2022 Hyundai Kona EV better than going with the 2022 Kia Niro lease deal?

To help you go with the best option, here’s all there’s to know about both models.

What’s New

Generally, the 2022 Hyundai Kona, available in regular combustion variant and EV, is one of the finest subcompact SUVs you can think of leasing. Still part of its first generation that debuted in 2018, the 2022 Kona gets its first significant makeover after it was introduced.

From the outside, the 2022 Kona Electric receives styling updates that give it sharper and sleeker looks than the outgoing model. Some new exterior upgrades include fresh front and rear bumpers and new wheel designs. Inside, Hyundai has tweaked the interior a little bit. These subtle tweaks include a redesigned center stack, fresher materials, and ambient lighting.

A larger 10.3-inch digital gauge display comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

For the non-electric version, besides the reworked exterior styling, an 8-inch touchscreen comes standard in lower trim levels. Hyundai has also added a new performance-oriented model to the 2022 Kona lineup. The new Kona N comes with a turbocharged engine. The 2022 Kona also receives an updated advanced safety and driver-assist.

The Niro EV is back again in the 2022 Kia lineup to offer shoppers looking to lease an EV at pocket-friendly rates. Still part of the first generation that debuted in 2017, the 2022 Niro EV comes with a ton of minor changes and updates.

For 2022, all Kia Niro now wears Kia’s new design badge. The 2022 Niro EV also receives more standard and available convenient and safety features, including a 10.3-inch touchscreen that features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to replace the outgoing model’s 8.0 -inch touchscreen. Other exciting features include a standard rear-occupant alert, remote start function, and lastly, a DriveWise suit that adds lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist.

Powertrain

The 2022 Hyundai Kona EV is mechanically related to the 2022 Kia Niro EV. These two small electric crossovers share the same electric motor and front-wheel-drive setup. However, the Niro EV is a lot quicker than the Kona EV.

The new Kona EV is powered by a 64.0-kWh battery pack and an electric motor with 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. This SUV is offered solely as front wheels afford a peppy acceleration and feel robust and lively. The Kona EV is slightly quicker than the regular Kona.

On the other hand, the Niro EV trades the gasoline powertrain for a single electric motor that churns out 201 hp and 291 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent through the front wheels by a one-speed direct-drive transmission. The 2022 Niro EV’s powertrain and transmission combination makes it quicker and provides smoother acceleration than its close rivals.

Charging And Driving Range

With the 2022 Niro EV earning a driving range of 239 miles per charge and the 2022 Kona getting 258 miles per charge, it is clear that leasing the 2022 Hyundai Kona gives a small EV crossover with a better driving range than the Niro.

For charging, the 2022 Kona EV can be charged using a 240-volt outlet (9.5 hours to full charge), or a 110-volt household outlet, or the fast charging DC station (80% charge in 75 minutes).

The 2022 Niro EV can be charged either with a 120- or 240-volt outlet or a DC fast-charge station (80% in sixty minutes).

MPGe

According to the EPA, the 2022 Niro EV earns a combined rating of 112 MPGe, 8 MPGe less than the 2022 Kona EV at 120 MPGe.

Handling And Performance

As both small electric crossovers share a similar mechanical setup, you can expect these two to offer similar handling and performance. It has been made clear that the Kona EV is slightly quicker than the 2022 Niro EV. To make up for this, leasing the 2022 Kia Niro offers everyday driving agility. It feels easy to maneuver, with firm steering and excellent composure even around sharp turns.

Interior And Comfort

Besides the driving range, acceleration, and design language creating a difference between these two affordable Korean EVs, the interior is another place that helps distinguish the 2022 Kona EV from the 2022 Niro EV.

On the inside, both the 2022 Niro EV and the 2022 Kona EV share many standard tech and safety features. Both afford a user-friendly infotainment system. However, the Niro comes with more standard safety features.

For comfort, the 2022 Niro EV is a much larger subcompact crossover. This means that leasing the 2022 Kia Niro EV gives you a roomier back seat and more cargo capacity.

Cost

The 2022 Kona EV at $35,255 has a much lower starting price than the 2022 Kia Niro that starts at $41,165.

Both the 2022 Kona EV and the 2022 Niro EV are much similar. If you want to lease something more comfortable, spacious, and practical, you should consider leasing the 2022 Niro EV. But if you want something smaller and more agile with a better driving range, the 2022 Kona EV is the deal.

To lease any of these two EVs at the lowest possible lease rates, contact VIP Auto, 1204 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305 https://viplease.com/.