2025 Kia K4 vs. 2025 Honda Civic: The Numbers
Compact cars remain quite popular in many parts of Canada and the best-selling model right now is the Honda Civic, which has recently benefited from a major update that includes the return of the Civic Hybrid.
The other big news in the segment for the 2025 model year is the Kia K4, a direct replacement for the Forte (and indirect replacement for the K5). If you're considering one or the other, we've compared their specs to help you make the best possible choice. Since the K4 is currently not available in hatchback configuration, we’ll focus on the sedan variant of these two cars.
- Also: 2025 Kia K4: Not Exactly a New Benchmark for Compact Cars
- Also: Kia Announces Pricing for 2025 K4 Sedan Replacing the Forte
Powertrain: Advantage Civic
The 2025 Honda Civic comes standard with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine that generates 150 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque. These figures rise to 200 hp and 192 lb-ft, respectively, in the case of the sporty Civic Si, which features a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine and is the only one to offer a six-speed manual gearbox. All the others use a CVT. That includes the Civic Hybrid, whose 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motor together deliver 200 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque—40 lb-ft more than the aforementioned Si. Not bad, eh?
For its part, the 2025 Kia K4 carries over the Forte's naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine, which produces 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque via a CVT. The more powerful alternative is the familiar turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, producing 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. This one uses an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Unfortunately, Kia doesn’t offer a hybrid variant. And just like the Civic, the K4 comes with front-wheel drive only. All in all, the Japanese sedan gets the edge in the powertrain department.
Fuel Consumption: Advantage Civic
With its base engine, the 2025 Honda Civic burns 6.7 or 6.9 L/100 km of fuel on average, depending on the model (LX or Sport). The Civic Si is rated at 7.7 L/100 km, which is still very reasonable, but requires premium gasoline. The Civic Hybrid achieves an impressive 4.9 L/100 km.
Are the Koreans more fuel-efficient? Well, the official ratings are not yet available at the time of writing, but Kia claims 7-7.3 L/100 km with the naturally aspirated K4. Figures for the turbo engine aren't available either—they should hover around 8 L/100 km. Considering everything, plus the absence of an electrified variant, the Civic wins the fuel economy battle.
Wheels and Tires: Tie
The 2025 Honda Civic comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels fitted with P215/55 tires. Higher trim levels get 18-inch alloy wheels and P235/40 tires.
Similarly, the 2025 Kia K4 rides on 16-inch steel wheels as standard, but with slightly narrower tires (P205/55), while its combination of 18-inch alloy wheels and P235/40 tires on turbocharged models is exactly the same as the Civic. Between the two are the K4 EX and EX+, which feature 17-inch wheels and P225/45 tires.
Space: Advantage K4
Believe it or not, a number of interior dimensions on the 2025 Honda Civic and 2025 Kia K4 are identical to the millimeter, such as front-seat legroom (1,074 mm) and rear-seat headroom (942 mm). The Korean sedan offers a tad more room in the rear and overall, though, with 2,794 litres of total space for occupants versus 2,735 litres in the Civic.
As for cargo space, it's a tie. The K4 has a trunk capacity of 413 litres, while the Civic’s is 419 litres.
Price: Advantage K4
Unsurprisingly, the 2025 Honda Civic costs more, especially at the lower end of the price range. It starts at $29,492 and goes up to $38,748—freight, PDI and other fees included. Honda’s interest rates are much lower at the moment, including 3.99-5.99 percent (finance) or 3.49-5.99 percent (lease), but that’s not enough to help the Civic close the gap in the end.
The 2025 Kia K4 ranges from $26,930 to $37,430. Remember that it doesn't offer a hybrid variant, nor an option as sporty as the Civic Si. Although Kia’s higher interest rates hurt—5.99-6.99 percent (finance) or 7.49-8.49 percent (lease)—you're not losing out. For example, a mid-level K4 EX leased for four years comes with monthly payments of $506.32, while a comparable Civic Sport costs $558.69 a month.
Warranty: Advantage K4
Both Honda and Kia offer a 5-year/100,000 km powertrain warranty and a 5-year/unlimited km rust perforation warranty. However, the Korean manufacturer offers a more generous limited vehicle warranty at 5 years/100,000 km instead of 3 years/60,000 km for Honda. The same applies to roadside assistance, with 5 years/unlimited km versus 3 years/unlimited km.
