Honda vs. Kia
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from Honda and Kia contrasts the two brands across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which one is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of vehicle models, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and projected lifetime recalls based on recall history. This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which brand represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both Honda and Kia cars.
When comparing the Honda brand to the Kia brand, Honda has the advantage in the areas of depreciation, horsepower, fuel efficiency, overall quality, reliability, safety, retained value and vehicle rankings. Kia has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, used car pricing, towing capacity and variety of models offered.
Honda versus Kia: Pricing and Value: Analyzing Honda versus Kia pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Kia in 12 out of 14 vehicle comparisons. Kia also has a lower used vehicle starting price in 9 out of 12 comparisons. Honda models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 14 out of 14 comparisons.
Honda versus Kia: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: Honda vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 8 out of 14 model comparisons, with Kia offering more horsepower in 6 comparisons. Honda offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 5 out of 10 comparisons. Kia vehicles have higher MPG in 4 comparisons, and both Honda and Kia vehicles have the same MPG in 1 comparisons. Kia offers a greater towing capacity in 6 out of 8 comparisons.
Honda versus Kia: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: A comparison of Honda versus Kia overall quality ratings shows Honda with higher quality ratings in 6 out of 6 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Honda has the advantage in 5 out of 6 comparisons. Kia has higher reliability ratings in 0 out of 6 comparisons, and Honda and Kia tie in 1 comparisons. Honda has better safety ratings in 5 out of 13 comparisons while Kia has better safety ratings in 2 out of 13 comparisons. Honda and Kia tie for safety in 6 comparisons. Honda shows higher ratings for retained value in 14 out of 14 comparisons.
Best Car Rankings: Honda has better car rankings in 13 categories: Honda CR-V in Best 5-seater SUVs, Honda Pilot in Best 7-Seater SUVs, Honda Civic (coupe) in Best Compact Cars, Honda CR-V in Best Crossover SUVs, Honda Fit in Best Hatchbacks, Honda Accord Hybrid in Best Hybrid Cars, Honda Accord Hybrid in Best Hybrid Midsize Cars, Honda Accord in Best Midsize Cars, Honda Passport in Best Midsize SUVs, Honda Civic (coupe) in Best Small Cars, Honda CR-V in Best Small SUVs, Honda Fit in Best Subcompact Cars, and Honda Pilot in Best SUVs with 3 Rows. Kia has the better car ranking in 1 category: Sedona in Best Minivans.
Most Reliable Car Rankings: Honda has better car rankings in 7 categories: Honda Pilot in Most Reliable Crossover SUVs, Honda Accord in Most Reliable Midsize Cars, Honda Pilot in Most Reliable Midsize SUVs, Honda Odyssey in Most Reliable Minivans, Honda Civic (coupe) in Most Reliable Small Cars, Honda CR-V in Most Reliable Small SUVs, and Honda Pilot in Most Reliable SUVs with 3 Rows. Kia has the better car ranking in 1 category: Optima Hybrid in Most Reliable Hybrid Cars.
Safest Car Rankings: Honda has better car rankings in 6 categories: Honda Passport in Safest Crossover SUVs, Honda Accord Hybrid in Safest Hybrid Cars, Honda CR-V Hybrid in Safest Hybrid SUVs, Honda Accord in Safest Midsize Cars, Honda Passport in Safest Midsize SUVs, and Honda Civic (coupe) in Safest Small Cars. Kia has better car rankings in 2 categories: Kia Sedona in Safest Minivans and Kia Telluride in Safest SUVs with 3 Rows.
Best Cars for the Money Rankings: Honda and Kia each have better car rankings in 2 categories. Honda ranks better with the CR-V in Best Crossover SUVs for the Money and the CR-V in Best Small SUVs for the Money.Kia ranks better with the Sorento in Best Midsize SUVs for the Money and the Sorento in Best SUVs with 3 Rows for the Money.
Available Body Styles: Honda offers 6 SUVs, 3 sedans, 1 hatchback, and 1 minivan. In comparison, Kia offers 13 SUVs, 1 wagon, 4 sedans, 1 hatchback, and 1 minivan.
Drivetrain Options: Honda offers 8 gasoline vehicles, 2 hybrids, and 1 electric vehicle. Kia offers 11 gasoline vehicles, 3 hybrids, 3 plug-in hybrids, and 3 electric vehicles.
Honda offers 7 all-wheel-drive models and 9 front-wheel-drive models. Kia offers 12 all-wheel-drive models, 15 front-wheel-drive models, and 3 rear-wheel-drive models.
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Honda HR-V
$26,450 - $32,100
Honda CR-V
$31,804 - $37,965
Honda Passport
$42,392 - $49,818
Honda Passport
$42,392 - $49,818
Honda Pilot
$43,623 - $56,129
Honda Pilot
$43,623 - $56,129
Hybrids
Honda CR-V Hybrid
$35,400 - $42,005
Cars
Honda Civic
$25,044 - $32,100
Honda Accord
$28,389 - $31,460
Honda Accord
$28,389 - $31,460
Minivans
Honda Odyssey
$40,703 - $51,800
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
$26,450 - $32,100
Honda CR-V
$31,804 - $37,965
Honda CR-V Hybrid
$35,400 - $42,005
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Kia Seltos
$25,750 - $33,071
Kia Sportage
$29,294 - $39,594
Kia Sorento
$33,955 - $48,990
Kia Telluride
$39,858 - $55,790
Kia Telluride
$39,858 - $55,790
Kia Sorento
$33,955 - $48,990
Hybrids
Kia Sportage Hybrid
$30,178 - $41,687
Cars
Kia Forte
$20,394 - $27,514
Kia K5
$27,140 - $37,592
Kia Stinger
$39,200 - $56,230
Minivans
Kia Carnival
$36,195 - $49,814
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
$28,375 - $37,092
Kia Sportage Hybrid
$30,178 - $41,687
Kia Sportage
$29,294 - $39,594
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Honda HR-V
Not Yet Available
Honda CR-V
$30,000 - $37,944
Honda Passport
$40,964 - $49,820
Honda Passport
$40,964 - $49,820
Honda Pilot
$41,454 - $54,880
Honda Pilot
$41,454 - $54,880
Hybrids
Honda CR-V Hybrid
$33,100 - $41,628
Cars
Honda Civic
$24,951 - $32,094
Honda Accord
$26,542 - $31,457
Honda Accord
$26,542 - $31,457
Minivans
Honda Odyssey
$39,289 - $51,770
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
Not Yet Available
Honda CR-V
$30,000 - $37,944
Honda CR-V Hybrid
$33,100 - $41,628
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Kia Seltos
$23,994 - $32,000
Kia Sportage
$28,546 - $38,671
Kia Sorento
$33,353 - $48,742
Kia Telluride
$42,803 - $55,942
Kia Telluride
$42,803 - $55,942
Kia Sorento
$33,353 - $48,742
Hybrids
Kia Sportage Hybrid
$29,701 - $39,768
Cars
Kia Forte
$19,899 - $26,527
Kia K5
$26,124 - $35,368
Kia Stinger
$31,889 - $50,943
Minivans
Kia Carnival
$33,988 - $49,498
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
$26,653 - $37,088
Kia Sportage Hybrid
$29,701 - $39,768
Kia Sportage
$28,546 - $38,671
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Honda HR-V
28.9%
Honda CR-V
31.1%
Honda Passport
41.7%
Honda Passport
41.7%
Honda Pilot
43.6%
Honda Pilot
43.6%
Hybrids
Honda CR-V Hybrid
39.6%
Cars
Honda Civic
23.5%
Honda Accord
31.5%
Honda Accord
31.5%
Minivans
Honda Odyssey
41.1%
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
28.9%
Honda CR-V
31.1%
Honda CR-V Hybrid
39.6%
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Kia Seltos
37.3%
Kia Sportage
42.2%
Kia Sorento
47.6%
Kia Telluride
46.1%
Kia Telluride
46.1%
Kia Sorento
47.6%
Hybrids
Kia Sportage Hybrid
46%
Cars
Kia Forte
33%
Kia K5
42.2%
Kia Stinger
43.1%
Minivans
Kia Carnival
44.8%
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
40.4%
Kia Sportage Hybrid
46%
Kia Sportage
42.2%
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Honda HR-V
158 hp / 138 foot-lbs
Honda CR-V
190 hp / 179 foot-lbs
Honda Passport
280 hp / 262 foot-lbs
Honda Passport
280 hp / 262 foot-lbs
Honda Pilot
285 hp / 262 foot-lbs
Honda Pilot
285 hp / 262 foot-lbs
Hybrids
Honda CR-V Hybrid
204 hp / 247 foot-lbs
Cars
Honda Civic
158 hp / 138 foot-lbs
Honda Accord
192 hp / 192 foot-lbs
Honda Accord
192 hp / 192 foot-lbs
Minivans
Honda Odyssey
280 hp / 262 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
158 hp / 138 foot-lbs
Honda CR-V
190 hp / 179 foot-lbs
Honda CR-V Hybrid
204 hp / 247 foot-lbs
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Kia Seltos
146 hp / 132 foot-lbs
Kia Sportage
187 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Kia Sorento
191 hp / 181 foot-lbs
Kia Telluride
291 hp / 262 foot-lbs
Kia Telluride
291 hp / 262 foot-lbs
Kia Sorento
191 hp / 181 foot-lbs
Hybrids
Kia Sportage Hybrid
227 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Cars
Kia Forte
147 hp / 132 foot-lbs
Kia K5
180 hp / 195 foot-lbs
Kia Stinger
300 hp / 311 foot-lbs
Minivans
Kia Carnival
290 hp / 262 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
139 hp / 195 foot-lbs
Kia Sportage Hybrid
227 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Kia Sportage
187 hp / 178 foot-lbs
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Honda HR-V
Not Yet Available
Honda CR-V
28 / 34 / 30
Honda Passport
19 / 24 / 21
Honda Passport
19 / 24 / 21
Honda Pilot
Not Yet Available
Honda Pilot
Not Yet Available
Hybrids
Honda CR-V Hybrid
43 / 36 / 40
Cars
Honda Civic
31 / 40 / 35
Honda Accord
29 / 37 / 32
Honda Accord
29 / 37 / 32
Minivans
Honda Odyssey
19 / 28 / 22
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
Not Yet Available
Honda CR-V
28 / 34 / 30
Honda CR-V Hybrid
43 / 36 / 40
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Kia Seltos
27 / 31 / 29
Kia Sportage
25 / 33 / 28
Kia Sorento
23 / 31 / 26
Kia Telluride
20 / 26 / 22
Kia Telluride
20 / 26 / 22
Kia Sorento
23 / 31 / 26
Hybrids
Kia Sportage Hybrid
42 / 44 / 43
Cars
Kia Forte
28 / 39 / 32
Kia K5
27 / 37 / 31
Kia Stinger
22 / 32 / 25
Minivans
Kia Carnival
19 / 26 / 22
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
53 / 45 / 49
Kia Sportage Hybrid
42 / 44 / 43
Kia Sportage
25 / 33 / 28
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Honda HR-V
Not yet available
Honda CR-V
1500 lbs
Honda Passport
5000 lbs
Honda Passport
5000 lbs
Honda Pilot
5000 lbs
Honda Pilot
5000 lbs
Hybrids
Honda CR-V Hybrid
1000 lbs
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
Not yet available
Honda CR-V
1500 lbs
Honda CR-V Hybrid
1000 lbs
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Kia Seltos
Not yet available
Kia Sportage
2500 lbs
Kia Sorento
4500 lbs
Kia Telluride
5500 lbs
Kia Telluride
5500 lbs
Kia Sorento
4500 lbs
Hybrids
Kia Sportage Hybrid
2000 lbs
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
Not yet available
Kia Sportage Hybrid
2000 lbs
Kia Sportage
2500 lbs
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Honda HR-V
8.1 / 10
Honda CR-V
8.9 / 10
Honda Passport
8.9 / 10
Honda Passport
8.9 / 10
Honda Pilot
8.7 / 10
Honda Pilot
8.7 / 10
Hybrids
Honda CR-V Hybrid
Not available
Cars
Honda Civic
9.0 / 10
Honda Accord
9.3 / 10
Honda Accord
9.3 / 10
Minivans
Honda Odyssey
8.5 / 10
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
8.1 / 10
Honda CR-V
8.9 / 10
Honda CR-V Hybrid
Not available
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Kia Seltos
Not available
Kia Sportage
8.2 / 10
Kia Sorento
8.2 / 10
Kia Telluride
Not available
Kia Telluride
Not available
Kia Sorento
8.2 / 10
Hybrids
Kia Sportage Hybrid
Not available
Cars
Kia Forte
8.0 / 10
Kia K5
Not available
Kia Stinger
8.3 / 10
Minivans
Kia Carnival
Not available
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
7.4 / 10
Kia Sportage Hybrid
Not available
Kia Sportage
8.2 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Honda HR-V
5.6 / 10
Honda CR-V
9.0 / 10
Honda Passport
8.7 / 10
Honda Passport
8.7 / 10
Honda Pilot
9.2 / 10
Honda Pilot
9.2 / 10
Hybrids
Honda CR-V Hybrid
Not available
Cars
Honda Civic
8.8 / 10
Honda Accord
9.3 / 10
Honda Accord
9.3 / 10
Minivans
Honda Odyssey
8.7 / 10
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
5.6 / 10
Honda CR-V
9.0 / 10
Honda CR-V Hybrid
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Kia Seltos
Not available
Kia Sportage
7.6 / 10
Kia Sorento
8.2 / 10
Kia Telluride
Not available
Kia Telluride
Not available
Kia Sorento
8.2 / 10
Hybrids
Kia Sportage Hybrid
Not available
Cars
Kia Forte
7.6 / 10
Kia K5
Not available
Kia Stinger
7.0 / 10
Minivans
Kia Carnival
Not available
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
5.6 / 10
Kia Sportage Hybrid
Not available
Kia Sportage
7.6 / 10
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Honda HR-V
10 / 10
Honda CR-V
9.0 / 10
Honda Passport
10 / 10
Honda Passport
10 / 10
Honda Pilot
9.0 / 10
Honda Pilot
9.0 / 10
Hybrids
Honda CR-V Hybrid
10 / 10
Cars
Honda Civic
9.0 / 10
Honda Accord
10 / 10
Honda Accord
10 / 10
Minivans
Honda Odyssey
9.0 / 10
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
10 / 10
Honda CR-V
9.0 / 10
Honda CR-V Hybrid
10 / 10
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Kia Seltos
8.0 / 10
Kia Sportage
9.0 / 10
Kia Sorento
9.0 / 10
Kia Telluride
10 / 10
Kia Telluride
10 / 10
Kia Sorento
9.0 / 10
Hybrids
Kia Sportage Hybrid
10 / 10
Cars
Kia Forte
8.0 / 10
Kia K5
10 / 10
Kia Stinger
10 / 10
Minivans
Kia Carnival
Not available
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
8.6 / 10
Kia Sportage Hybrid
10 / 10
Kia Sportage
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Honda HR-V
8.7 / 10
Honda CR-V
8.6 / 10
Honda Passport
7.9 / 10
Honda Passport
7.9 / 10
Honda Pilot
7.8 / 10
Honda Pilot
7.8 / 10
Hybrids
Honda CR-V Hybrid
8.0 / 10
Cars
Honda Civic
9.0 / 10
Honda Accord
8.5 / 10
Honda Accord
8.5 / 10
Minivans
Honda Odyssey
7.9 / 10
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
8.7 / 10
Honda CR-V
8.6 / 10
Honda CR-V Hybrid
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Kia Seltos
8.2 / 10
Kia Sportage
7.9 / 10
Kia Sorento
7.5 / 10
Kia Telluride
7.6 / 10
Kia Telluride
7.6 / 10
Kia Sorento
7.5 / 10
Hybrids
Kia Sportage Hybrid
7.6 / 10
Cars
Kia Forte
8.5 / 10
Kia K5
7.9 / 10
Kia Stinger
7.8 / 10
Minivans
Kia Carnival
7.7 / 10
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
8.0 / 10
Kia Sportage Hybrid
7.6 / 10
Kia Sportage
7.9 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Honda CR-V
#1 of 67 in
Best Crossover SUVs
Honda Passport
#1 of 32 in
Best Midsize SUVs
Honda Pilot
#6 of 25 in
Best 7-Seater SUVs
Cars
Honda Civic
#3 of 26 in
Best Compact Cars
Honda Accord
#1 of 13 in
Best Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
#3 of 20 in
Best Subcompact SUVs
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Kia Sportage
#27 of 67 in
Best Crossover SUVs
Kia Sorento
#17 of 32 in
Best Midsize SUVs
Kia Sorento
#11 of 25 in
Best 7-Seater SUVs
Cars
Kia Forte
#16 of 26 in
Best Compact Cars
Kia Stinger
#10 of 13 in
Best Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
#4 of 5 in
Best Hybrid Subcompact SUVs
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Honda CR-V
#1 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Honda Passport
#6 of 32 in
Most Reliable Midsize SUVs
Honda Pilot
#1 of 67 in
Most Reliable Crossover SUVs
Cars
Honda Civic
#2 of 43 in
Most Reliable Small Cars
Honda Accord
#1 of 13 in
Most Reliable Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
#12 of 20 in
Most Reliable Subcompact SUVs
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Kia Sportage
#11 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Kia Sorento
#18 of 32 in
Most Reliable Midsize SUVs
Kia Sorento
#23 of 67 in
Most Reliable Crossover SUVs
Cars
Kia Forte
#24 of 43 in
Most Reliable Small Cars
Kia Stinger
#11 of 13 in
Most Reliable Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
#13 of 32 in
Most Reliable Hybrid SUVs
iSeeCars Safest Car Rankings
SUVs
Honda HR-V
#13 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Honda CR-V
#29 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Honda Passport
#1 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Honda Passport
#1 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Honda Pilot
#16 of 39 in
Safest SUVs with 3 Rows
Honda Pilot
#16 of 39 in
Safest SUVs with 3 Rows
Hybrids
Honda CR-V Hybrid
#5 of 32 in
Safest Hybrid SUVs
Cars
Honda Civic
#23 of 43 in
Safest Small Cars
Honda Accord
#1 of 13 in
Safest Midsize Cars
Honda Accord
#1 of 13 in
Safest Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
Honda HR-V
#13 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Honda CR-V
#29 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Honda CR-V Hybrid
#5 of 32 in
Safest Hybrid SUVs
iSeeCars Safest Car Rankings
SUVs
Kia Seltos
#59 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Kia Sportage
#35 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Kia Sorento
#42 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Kia Telluride
#23 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Kia Telluride
#9 of 39 in
Safest SUVs with 3 Rows
Kia Sorento
#19 of 39 in
Safest SUVs with 3 Rows
Hybrids
Kia Sportage Hybrid
#6 of 32 in
Safest Hybrid SUVs
Cars
Kia Forte
#32 of 43 in
Safest Small Cars
Kia K5
#8 of 13 in
Safest Midsize Cars
Kia Stinger
#7 of 13 in
Safest Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
Kia Niro
#14 of 32 in
Safest Hybrid SUVs
Kia Sportage Hybrid
#6 of 32 in
Safest Hybrid SUVs
Kia Sportage
#35 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Honda CR-V
#1 of 13 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
Honda Passport
#11 of 16 in
Best Midsize SUVs for the Money
Honda Pilot
#6 of 16 in
Best Midsize SUVs for the Money
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Kia Sportage
#11 of 13 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
Kia Sorento
#5 of 16 in
Best Midsize SUVs for the Money
Kia Sorento
#5 of 16 in
Best Midsize SUVs for the Money