Honda vs. Kia Comparison
Honda has been a trusted name in the automotive world for decades, probably the first brand that comes to mind when you think of things like reliability or resale value. But Honda isn’t the only brand out there and newer brands like Kia have become real contenders in recent years. It’s not always obvious how Kia compares to the more established Honda, so our team at Germain Honda of Surprise decided to take an in-depth look in order to illustrate the big differences.
Safety
Honda has an outstanding safety record so it only makes sense that on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) list of 2025 Top Safety Picks, five different Honda models made the list1. Only two Kia models made the list and they are some of the brand’s largest models. Honda wins here not just with the most awards but also with a better variety of vehicles on the list. Here are all of the Honda models that received awards from the IIHS1:
- 2025 Honda Civic Sedan – Top Safety Pick
- 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback -Top Safety Pick+
- 2025 Honda Accord – Top Safety Pick+
- 2025 Honda HR-V – Top Safety Pick+
- 2025 Honda Pilot – Top Safety Pick
Kelley Blue Book Consumer Choice Awards
The Kelley Blue Book Consumer Choice Awards are given every year to a variety of brands in different categories that best create enthusiasm among consumers. In dominating fashion, Honda took home the honor of Best Overall Brand, Most Trusted Brand, Best Value Brand, Best In-Vehicle Experience Brand, and Best Performance Brand in the 2024 iteration of these awards4. Kia did not earn even a single mention in the 2024 Consumer Choice Awards from Kelley Blue Book.
Car & Driver 10Best
The annual Car & Driver 10Best awards have been around for over 40 years and have become a yardstick for the entire North American automotive market. For 2025, three Honda models made the list3 – the CR-V, Accord, and Civic. These popular Honda models have been mainstays on the 10Best list for decades while Kia once again failed to earn a single selection from Car and Driver.
Winner – Honda
Despite all of the improvements Kia has made in recent years, it still has a long way to go before it reaches Honda’s level of quality, safety, and excitement. With all of the awards from third-party independent reviewers, the results are conclusive. Choosing a Honda is the smart move in more ways than one.