2022 Honda Civic vs. 2021 Kia Forte: Compact Sedan Shootout
Vehicle Comparison Highlights:
- The new Civic brings a refined interior and excellent ride
- The Kia Forte’s engine is something of a letdown
- Honda’s Civic Si is a better Forte GT competitor
Honda has long been the darling of the compact sedan segment. If Miata is the answer for small sports cars, then the 2022 Honda Civic must be the answer for compacts, right? Right? In a lot of ways, it could be. But, the 2021 Kia Forte is a strong competitor, and on paper, it looks to have been built to undercut the mighty Civic. Let’s discuss.
| 2022 Honda Civic | 2021 Kia Forte | |
| Price Range | $21,900-$28,500 | $19,090-$23,785 |
| Engine Options | 1.5L Turbocharged 4-cyl. 2.0L N/A DOHC 4-cyl. | 1.6L turbocharged 4-cyl. 2.0L N/A DOHC 4-cyl. |
| Horsepower | 158 hp/174 hp | 147 hp/201 hp |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft/162 lb-ft | 142 lb-ft/195 lb-ft |
| Transmission | CVT Automatic 6-speed manual | Dual-clutch automatic transmission 6-speed manual |
| MPG Rating (City/HWY/Comb) | 31/40/35 (2.0L) 33/42/36 (1.5L) | 31/41/35 (2.0L) 27/35/30 (1.6L) |
| IIHS Safety Rating | Top Safety Pick+ | Top Safety Pick |
| NHTSA Safety Rating | 5 Stars | 5 Stars |
2022 Honda Civic
- Pros: Manual transmission, incredible interior, excellent ride
- Cons: Top trims are slower than the Forte GT, best features saved for Touring and EX models
We’ll start with the newest iteration of the Civic. For 2022, Honda’s newest, is well, new. That means the Civic’s interior, styling, and a great many other things are totally refreshed. The Forte, on the other hand, has been around for a few years. From the out, the 2022 Honda Civic feels fresher. For 2022 the stick shift also returns but is only on the Civic hatch, which commands a small $1,000 premium over the sedan.
If it’s our money, we’re opting for the turbocharged 1.5L motor with the hatchback. That configuration will start around $25,115 for the Sport hatch and includes features like Android Auto, Carplay, and a few driver assists like lane-departure warning. However, the fast Civic is best reserved for the Civic Si with a stick.
2021 Kia Forte
- Pros: Peppy GT trim offers a stick, excellent standard features
- Cons: Base trim level gets a weak motor, not as refined as the Civic
While the 2022 Honda Civic goes from strength to strength, the 2021 Kia Forte muddies the water a little for the compact sedan. Throughout the model range, Forte GT included, the Kia compact sedan is cheaper than the Civic. There’s also a manual transmission and more horsepower for the top-tier Kia Forte GT. That said, the GT is more a competitor to the Civic Si than anything. As for the lower trims, the 2021 Kia Forte is still a solid competitor to the Civic.
However, unlike the Civic, there’s no hatch option here. While that does cut practicality, it also cuts price, the main objective of the baser Forte models. Unfortunately, the lesser 147 hp motor is a little asthmatic. Really, if you want the best Kia Forte experience, you’re paying $24,385 for a stick-shift GT ($23,785 for the dual-clutch).
Which compact sedan is right for you?
That said, our pick here is, perhaps surprisingly, the 2022 Honda Civic. Unfortunately, the 2021 Kia Forte GT competes too well with the Civic Si to be considered a real winner here. And, at $25,115, the Civic we’d pick is easily worth the small premium. Simply put the ride, interior, and handling dynamics are more refined, making it the winner of this comparison.
