2024 Kia K5 vs 2024 Honda Civic

The 2024 Kia K5 GT-Line, with its striking Passion Red Tint Coat, turned heads and sparked curiosity among onlookers, despite the model's presence since 2021. The car's design drew admiration, yet many were unfamiliar with the K5 name, suggesting it remained under the radar in North America. The GT-Line trim, priced at $40,083 in Canada, offered a visually appealing package, though the interior featured some inexpensive-looking plastics. However, the overall design and detailing, including textured metallic trim and a refined transmission shifter, compensated for these shortcomings.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Civic Si maintained a stealthy, understated appearance, reminiscent of early pocket rockets. The Civic Si, nearing its 40th anniversary, offered a sportier version of the Civic sedan with LED lighting, a gloss-black lip spoiler, and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Inside, the Civic Si featured red accents and stitching, a metal mesh dashboard trim, and a user-friendly digital instrumentation system. The base price in Canada was $35,630, excluding fees, and the car's design balanced performance with practicality.

The 2024 Kia K5 offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard in Canada for this engine, except for the GT model, which boasted a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine with 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, front-wheel drive, and a dual-clutch transmission. The K5 GT-Line, while visually sporty, prioritized fuel efficiency with a rating of 8.3 L/100 km, though real-world testing showed higher consumption. The GT-Line's suspension provided a comfortable ride, but its brakes faded during spirited driving.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine with 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The Civic Si's drivetrain included a helical limited-slip differential, enhancing cornering performance. The car's suspension and steering system offered a connected and engaging driving experience, though the braking system showed signs of overheating during mountain testing. The Civic Si achieved a fuel efficiency of 8.0 L/100 km, slightly above the official rating, and excelled in providing a fun and responsive drive.

The Kia K5 provided ample comfort and utility, with SynTex artificial leather seats and a 10-way power driver's seat. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control were standard in Canada. The panoramic sunroof added a touch of luxury, though taller passengers might find headroom limited. The K5 offered 453 litres of cargo space, with a Smart Trunk feature for easy access. Storage areas were generous but prone to noise from sliding items.

The Honda Civic Si balanced performance with practicality, featuring sport-bolstered cloth seats and a manual driver's seat height adjuster. The Civic Si's interior included dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a power sunroof. The back seat offered generous legroom, though rear air vents were absent. The Civic Si provided 408 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40-split folding back seat for added versatility. Storage was adequate, with a small centre armrest bin.

The Kia K5 featured an 8-inch or 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The larger display included navigation, SiriusXM, and Kia Connect services. Voice recognition was inconsistent, and a wireless charging pad was available on higher trims. A 12-speaker Bose audio system was exclusive to the GT trim.

The Honda Civic Si came with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and HondaLink services. The system was user-friendly, with physical controls for volume and tuning. A 12-speaker Bose audio system provided impressive sound quality, thanks to early collaboration with the audio company.

The 2024 Kia K5 included a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist, which offered semi-autonomous highway driving. The K5 received high safety ratings from the NHTSA but scored poorly in updated IIHS tests for frontal and side impacts.

The Honda Civic Si featured the Honda Sensing suite, with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system's performance was inconsistent, particularly in lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control. The Civic Si earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received an Acceptable rating in updated crash tests.