Despite being the same size, the 2.0L engines found under the hood of the Honda Civic and the Kia Forte are anything but identical. The Forte powers ahead with up to 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The Honda Civic, on the other hand, churns out up to 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque.

Beyond delivering more power, the Civic provides more sport-tuned elements, leaving you craving more commutes. The Civic comes with optional sport pedals and paddle shifters for a more engaging commute. While these are also found with the Forte, only on the Civic will you have access to a customizable driver interface.

This fully digital 7-inch Driver Information Interface lets you customize the appearance of the gauges to match your personality. The Civic only features a 4.2-inch display and built-in gauge designs.

You rely on your sporty sedan to get you to and from work and your favorite spots around town with ease. As such, you need a vehicle that lets you go the extra mile without making frequent stops at the pump. Fortunately, with nearly identical MPG ratings, both the Honda Civic and the Kia Forte allow you to achieve this.

One major difference in fuel efficiency between these sedans, though, is that the Civic comes standard with the Eco Assist™ System.

This feature is specially designed to help maximize fuel efficiency. It does so by providing real-time performance feedback in the form of a colored bar. Less-efficient driving means a blue or white bar is illuminated, while a green bar symbolizes efficient driving.

Thanks to this efficiency data, you may find you can go longer without needing to refuel in the Civic compared to the Forte that offers no similar feature.

There’s a reason we kick off our heels and unbutton our ties at the first opportunity. It’s because no one likes feeling cramped. Luckily for you and your passengers, everyone will have room to spread out inside the Civic and the Forte since they offer ample room for passengers.

While these models do share some similarities, it’s clear that the Civic gives you a bit more and offers the passenger space you need.

Beyond wiggle room, you need comfort amenities to feel right at home. You’ll find several available features that match on the Honda and the Kia, including:

These amenities create an elegant look for a place where you’re going to hang out daily. But one car doesn’t get the pulled-together look you may be searching for. Upgraded leather-trimmed surfaces appear in the Civic optionally, while the Kia Forte doesn’t carry this option.

Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and an available wireless phone charger are just some of the features that will help you stay connected and entertained while on the go. Once connected, you can use the touchscreen displays to navigate the digital features you have saved to your phone.

Thanks to strategically placed speakers, you’ll feel like you’ve scored tickets to your favorite band while you travel the town. An optional 8-speaker Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System is found with the Kia Forte. While this is impressive, the available 12-speaker Bose premium sound system proves to be the superior sound system.

While performance features and connective technology help boost your mood, both Kia and Honda know that safety features are the most important aspect of your new sedan. That’s why you’ll find each model comes standard with a suite of driver-assist technology features. Similar features with Honda Sensing® and Kia Drive Wise include:

Sadly for Forte drivers, this is where the similarities end.

The Honda Civic goes above and beyond with standard driver-assist features with the addition of Traffic Jam Assist, Auto High-beam Headlights, Traffic Sign Recognition System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, and Road Departure Mitigation System.

You may find some of the above-mentioned features with the Forte; however, you’ll only find them if you upgrade to a higher trim level.