2021 head-to-head · Wagon
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
FWD · Electric motor (150 kW) · CVT · 118 MPGe · 259 mi
FWD · 1.6L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 105 MPGe + 46 MPG
The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $775 a year to fuel (118 MPGe), versus $932 for the 2021 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid (105 MPGe + 46 MPG). That's roughly $157 a year, or about $783 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $775 | Your annual fuel cost | $932 |
| 118 MPGe | Combined efficiency | 105 MPGe + 46 MPG |
| 127 MPGe | City | 110 MPGe / 48 MPG |
| 108 MPGe | Highway | 99 MPGe / 44 MPG |
| 28.7 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 32 kWh |
| 259 mi | Driving range | 560 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 26 mi |
| 94 cu ft | Passenger volume | 101 cu ft |
| 17 cu ft | Cargo volume | 19 cu ft |
| 0 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 90 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 10 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 2.2 hrs |
| Electric | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Electricity | Fuel | Regular gas + electricity |
| Electric motor (150 kW) | Engine / motor | 1.6L 4-cyl |
| CVT | Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Chevrolet Bolt EV vs Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 560 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 259 miles for the Chevrolet Bolt EV.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (101 vs. 94 cu ft); the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (19 vs. 17 cu ft).
Among 14 2021 wagons, the Chevrolet Bolt EV ranks 1st and the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid 5th for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Chevrolet Bolt EV is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV or the 2021 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Chevrolet Bolt EV. The Chevrolet Bolt EV is rated 118 MPGe combined and the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid 105 MPGe + 46 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs. the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $775 for the Chevrolet Bolt EV and $932 for the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more range?
The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid: about 560 miles versus 259 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid, with 19 cu ft of luggage volume versus 17 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Chevrolet Bolt EV vs Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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