A few years ago, going green meant saving for extremely expensive vehicles because EVS weren’t all that common. That’s changing now, and for those who want an electric SUV, the 2022 Kia Niro EV may just be the perfect option. One of its close rivals is the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and here are four reasons why you should pick the Niro EV over the Ioniq 5. 

1. A cheaper EV price

To go cheap, or not to go cheap? That’s the question if you’re on a budget. The 2022 Kia Niro EV has a starting price of $39,090. This is before federal tax credits, of course, so the price will actually be even cheaper than that.

On the other hand, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has a starting price of $44,000, according to Edmunds. This will come with a tax credit as well, but you’re still left paying about $5,000 more.

2. The lack of blindspots

SUVs seem to either have excellent visibility, or it’s totally terrible. Either way, it can turn your driving experience into a real pleasure or the ultimate nightmare when parking.

The 2022 Kia Niro EV has superior visibility from the front, side, and rear windows, according to Consumer Reports. The pillars are slim for the most part, which helps eliminate those pesky blind spots. With that being said, the rear roof pillars are a little on the chunky side and do create blind spots there. The blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning do help alleviate some of this, but it’s always good to turn to look yourself instead of relying solely on technology.

While Consumer Reports had a lot of praise for the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, it couldn’t help but be a little displeased with the multitude of blind spots. These were caused in large part by factors such as the width of the windshield pillars, the side mirrors that are mounted too high, and the roof pillars at the rear, which are too thick. Consumer Reports was also annoyed that there were no wipers on the rear window. 

3. The Niro EV has higher safety ratings

The NHTSA has recently awarded the 2022 Kia Niro EV an overall safety score of five out of five stars. That’s a big deal in the auto world, as many consumers are taking safety more and more seriously.

On the other hand, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 has not yet been tested by the NHTSA, so consumers may hold off on purchasing one at this time. It’s entirely possible that the Ioniq 5 may pass with flying colors as well, but that remains to be seen.

4. Available as a hybrid or PHEV

Given the fact that electric charging stations aren’t all that common as of yet, planning a road trip can be a real pain in an EV. In fact, there may be places you can’t comfortably travel to in an EV at this time. It’s one thing to plan on hitting a charging station, but what happens when you arrive only to discover it’s closed for some reason and there isn’t another charging station close by? 

For those who have these fears or simply aren’t ready to commit to a fully electric vehicle at this time, you can purchase a standard Kia Niro, which is a hybrid, according to Consumer Reports. You can also go with the Niro Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) model. Either way, you’ll still qualify for the tax rebates, which helps when it’s time to finance your vehicle.

On the flip side, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is only available as an electric vehicle. This means if you’re interested in a hybrid, you’ll have to check out another vehicle, like the Kia Niro.