The Kia K4 just added a sharp new hatchback body style to its lineup, but is it good enough to dethrone the excellent Honda Civic Hybrid from the top of our small car rankings? Edmunds Brian Wong puts the two head-to-head in this comparison test video to find out.
Honda Civic Hatchback: https://www.edmunds.com/honda/civic/2026/hatchback/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube_description
Kia K4 Hatchback: https://www.edmunds.com/kia/k4/2026/hatchback/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube_description
00:00 Intro
00:56 K4 Pricing, Interior & Tech
04:28 K4 Cargo
05:33 K4 Driving Impressions
08:15 Civic Pricing, Interior & Tech
12:25 Civic Cargo
13:10 Civic Driving Impressions
15:09 Value
18:01 Edmunds’ Take
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These two cars pack a lot into a small footprint, with plenty of cargo room and passenger room to go around. Are there any other small sedans that you'd like to see get the hatchback (or wagon) treatment? Let us know in the comments below!
Why don't Japanese cars change? Everyone is moving into the digital age, so if they still stick to analog, won't they naturally fall behind in competition? Look at the display. It's so incomparable to Korean cars. Japanese cars need to change. They're falling behind in competition because they're stuck in the past. I'm Korean, but I'm worried about Japanese cars.
Does the Civic aircon manage to cool or warm the passengers in the back seats?
Kia K4 ❤👍
The K4 is a wagon, not a hatch.
But that's a great thing. Sucks that wagons have almost as much of a stigma as minivans in the US.
K4 is louder u said? I thought it’s quieter as per other videos I have watched
Bring back the more affordable subcompacts, like the Honda Fit or Kia Rio!
i just bought a 2005 civic and found out its more expensive to ensure than my 2007 highlander. i will not buy a civic again LOL
just cant stand the tablet on dash
Por mi experiencia me quedo con el Honda a ciegas 6 Hondas estrenados y jamás un problema me dio por un coreano y casi me arruina sigo fiel a Honda de por vida
I love the silhouette of the Honda but I understand that head room is important. I wish there was a way to keep the look without sacrificing comfort for passengers.
How about the Mazda 3
i like this chanel
Honda will outlast the Korean garbage
The last gen hatch had vents and seat heaters… WTF honda that's insane.
I would rather have wired charging and wired android auto. Wireless charging gets too hot and makes my phone give temperature warnings.
Sorry to diagree but I think the X-Factor should go to the Kia K4 (Just the Honda outdated interior gives that Xtra something to the Kia) or at least should be around the 7.5+, the driving experience in the Kia K4 should be around the 7.0 mark (it is still quit a fun car to drive), And the Efficiency is still very good and should be around 6 -7 which will then even those to cars @ 8.00 each.
Yes, The Civic is a more sporty car but the K4 is certainly is worthy opponent and not a slouch.
Not just with these cars but all the ones tested in other videos too, how is the frequency and price of maintenance considered in the evaluation of cars?
@edmundscars aside from the awd… isn’t the best comparison against the Subaru Impreza and the RS ? Why vs the Honda?
In 6 or 7 yrs, tha Hyundai won't be worth crap, while the Civic will still have a good resale, plus a good motor and transmission.
If you want to own a car go buy the civic. It will last you a lifetime. If you gonna change your car in 4-5 years time then just finance the kia then return it to the dealer after the contract.
Comparing a ticking time bomb to a Civic is down right HILARIOUS 😂😂😂😂
I think Civic hybrid hatch touring is one of the best cars all time
Kia K4, nice interior/exterior but lacks in all other compartments.
Neither of these tempt me away from my unicorn Acura TSX Wagon….among the best of old school Honda quality and engineering.
Hondas are chezskates, unless you got to top $35k trim you don't get hardly anything I the car, base 2.0 is pathetic 150hp , for al ost $40k, I'll just get model 3.
Thank you. I am going for civic hybrid.
For many reasons, I'll take k4 hatchback over the civic hatchback… but I'll take neither in reality. Kia has yet to figure out their brand (see below), and I hate Honda/Acuras dealership experience.
Why I think Kia hasn't figured out their brand:
KIA means Killed In Action. But then they changed it to KИ, and we all know the letter И in NIИ means Nails… therefore, Killing Nails is the new name, no longer Killed In Action… which isn't much better
13:04 It's not better to have just a cargo cover. I want a cargo shelf that I can put stuff on if I need to.
Being this is Edmund’s, what about reliability and resale value??? What’s a 5-7 yr old Kia worth compared to a Honda? It’s not even close…
Now the front end styling makes sense on the K4. As a sedan, it's butt ugly. As a hatch, it looks good. Ya know what other car suffers this? The BMW 228 Grand Coupe. Ugly AF as the sedan, but really cool looking as the EU-only hatch.
Cadillac Escalade for the win.
I'm always blown away by people who chooses the Touring trim. I see it as a waste of money! I can't believe I agree with you on the Honda Civic Touring… The 7 inch screen would make me feel soooooo inadequate. Come on Honda!!!! Size matters!!!