It’s an era of change for the auto industry. For more than two decades, buyers’ preferences have shifted toward larger, more upscale, higher-performance SUVs and pickup trucks.
However, compact cars remain viable — despite what some automakers that have bailed on the segment might tell you — and that concept is proven so clearly by the 2025 Kia K4 and 2025 Honda Civic. These two have the performance, technology, and fuel economy to make a highly compelling case for small cars.
Let’s take a closer look at these two compact cars.
2025 Kia K4
The 2025 Kia K4 is a new nameplate, replacing the outgoing Kia Forte in the lineup. The K4 is one of the best values in the compact car arena, and you get a good-looking sedan with a spacious cabin and a fair bit of technology.
The K4 comes in five trim levels: LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line, and GT-Line Turbo . Most models are powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 147 horsepower and achieving up to 41 mpg on the highway. GT models up the ante with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine making a hearty 190 hp, giving you plenty of punch and control for knifing through traffic or merging with ease onto the highway. Sadly for enthusiasts, the manual transmission did not make the options list for the K4 as it did for the Forte, but the K4 GT-Line Turbo gets an 8-speed automatic to ease the sting. The highest-priced K4 costs only slightly more than the starting range for its competition. Pricing for the 2025 Kia K4 starts at $23,145.
Kia K4 Highlights
Easy on the fuel budget: Kia’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder isn’t exactly a racing machine, but it is thrifty, which means more money in your pocket. The K4 EPA combined rating is up to 34 mpg, among the top in the segment. The EPA hasn’t yet announced fuel-economy figures for the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine.
Roomy and comfortable: Despite the K4 tidy exterior dimensions, it’s plenty roomy inside. However, it only comes as a 4-door, so if you like the ease of access a hatchback provides, the Civic is worth investigating.
Outstanding warranty: Kia’s 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty offer you peace of mind — for up to a decade. That kind of assurance can be priceless.
Read our Kia K4 Expert Review or see 2025 Kia K4 models for sale near you.
2025 Honda Civic
The 2025 Honda Civic is the “OG” of the compact car segment. Now in its 11th generation, it’s perhaps the most recognizable nameplate in the category. While Honda hasn’t made any fundamental changes to the 2025 model, the previous year’s offering was a serious callback to the Civic’s heyday.
Honda typically keeps the exterior styling simple and clean with the Civic, and that remains true with this newest model. Yet, it’s always a bit different and attractive. The interior is well thought out, with everything within easy reach of the driver and designed to look thoroughly contemporary. We especially like the classy honeycomb grille spanning the width of the dash.
Shoppers also have a variety of engine options beyond the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder in the LX and Sport trims. The performance-focused Civic Si and Type R produce 220 hp and 315 hp, respectively, and Honda also builds gasoline-electric hybrid Civic versions with 200-hp total hp ratings. The Civic is available as both a traditional sedan and a highly practical hatchback. Pricing for the 2025 Honda Civic starts at $25,345.
Honda Civic Highlights
High residual value: Admittedly, this could be putting the cart before the horse, but no one keeps a vehicle forever. When you decide to move on to your next vehicle, your Civic likely will be worth as much as $2,000 more than any other same-age vehicle in this segment.
Plenty of performance: The Civic has been tuned for a superb driving experience. If you buy one with the 6-speed manual, you will have more fun than the law might allow. You’ve heard that driving a slow car fast can be a lot of fun? Well, with the Civic, we found that driving a quick car fast is even more fun.
Fuel efficiency: Even though the new Honda Civic is bigger and more comfortable than previous generations, the company ensured one character trait from the past remains: fuel economy. While the Kia K4 gets up to 34 mpg combined, that still falls short of the 35 mpg combined of the Honda Civic LX.
Read our Honda Civic Expert Review or see 2025 Honda Civic models for sale near you.
Similarities
The sedans feature simple but contemporary exterior designs and a genuinely useful trunk. They also come with substantive safety technology packages that can help ease a buyer’s (or parent’s) mind.
Conclusion
This is a fairly close fight, but largely because price is such a big factor with entry-level automobiles. That stated, the affordably priced Kia K4, with its spirited performance, plenty of interior space, and solid design, is a safe bet, especially given its class-leading warranty.
The Honda Civic is what you get when a company spends decades improving its product in a single category. The resultant Civic is handsome, refined, sporty, and fuel-efficient. It’s everything the K4 is and more — but for an extra $2,200.
New 2025 Kia K4 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (43311)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$23,165 |
$21,916 |
|||
$24,165 |
$22,927 |
|||
$25,165 |
$23,886 |
|||
$26,365 |
$25,007 |
|||
$29,265 |
$27,722 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia K4 vehicles and New 2025 Honda Civic vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Kia K4 | 2025 Honda Civic | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 138 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 30 city/41 highway/34 combined mpg | 31 city/40 highway/35 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder; 8-speed automatic | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder; 6-spd manual; 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder, hybrid |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 4 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 inches | 107.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 185.4 inches | 184.8 inches |
| Width | 72.8 inches | 70.9 inches |
| Height | 55.9 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.2 feet | 36.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.0inches | 39.3 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 37.3 inches | 37.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.3 inches | 42.3 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 37.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.5 inches | 57.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.7 inches | 56.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 14.6 cubic feet | 14.8 cubic feet |
