Compare the2023 Honda Civic Type RVS 2023 Kia Stinger

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Civic Type R deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Civic Type R’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Stinger’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Civic Type R and the Stinger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Civic Type R’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Stinger runs out after 100,000 miles.

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the Civic Type R for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Stinger.

There are over 37 percent more Honda dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Civic Type R’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 10 places higher in reliability than Kia.

The Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (315 vs. 300) than the Stinger GT-Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Civic Type R gets better mileage than the Stinger:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Civic Type R uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Stinger requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Civic Type R has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Stinger doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Civic Type R offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Stinger doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Civic Type R’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Stinger:

For better traction, the Civic Type R has larger tires than the Stinger (265/30R19 vs. 225/45R18). The Civic Type R’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Stinger (265/30R19 vs. 225/40R19).

The Civic Type R’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Stinger GT-Line’s standard 45 series tires. The Civic Type R’s tires are lower profile than the Stinger GT2’s 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Civic Type R has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Stinger GT-Line.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Civic Type R is 1.2 inches wider in the front than the average track on the Stinger.

The Honda Civic Type R may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 1000 pounds less than the Kia Stinger.

The Civic Type R is 9.3 inches shorter than the Stinger, making the Civic Type R easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Civic Type R has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Stinger uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Civic Type R a Large car, while the Stinger is rated a Mid-size.

The Civic Type R has 5.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Stinger (99 vs. 93.8).

The Civic Type R has 1 inch more front headroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Stinger.

The Civic Type R has a much larger trunk than the Stinger with its rear seat up (24.5 vs. 23.3 cubic feet).

The Civic Type R’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Stinger does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left open on the Civic Type R the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Stinger can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Civic Type R has a standard rear wiper. The Stinger doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Civic Type R was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 5 years. The Stinger has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Civic Type R was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2018. The Stinger has never been an “All Star.”

The Honda Civic outsold the Kia Stinger by almost 15 to one during the 2022 model year.