Compare the2025 Kia K4VS 2025 Hyundai Elantra

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Kia K4 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Hyundai Elantra doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The K4 GT-Line Turbo offers optional Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Elantra doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The K4 GT-Line Turbo offers an optional Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Elantra only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the K4 and the Elantra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 1 place higher in reliability than Hyundai.

Engine

The K4 GT-Line Turbo’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 43 more horsepower (190 vs. 147) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 132) than the Elantra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the K4 GT-Line Turbo 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Hyundai Elantra:

	K4	Elantra
Zero to 60 MPH	7.1 sec	8.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.8 MPH	87.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the K4 LX 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder gets better fuel mileage than the Elantra (30 city/40 hwy vs. 30 city/39 hwy).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the K4 GT-Line Turbo’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Elantra:

	K4 GT-Line Turbo	Elantra
Front Rotors	12 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.2 inches	10.3 inches

The K4’s standard front disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The front discs on the Elantra are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the K4 has larger standard tires than the Elantra (205/55R16 vs. 195/65R15). The K4 GT-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Elantra (235/40R18 vs. 225/45R17).

The K4 LX/LXS’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Elantra SE’s standard 65 series tires. The K4 GT-Line’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Elantra SEL Sport/Limited’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the K4 LX/LXS has standard 16-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Elantra SE. The K4 GT-Line’s 18-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Elantra SEL Sport/Limited.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the K4 GT-Line has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Hyundai Elantra has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The K4 GT-Line has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the K4 GT-Line flat and controlled during cornering. The Elantra’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The K4 GT-Line Turbo handles at .87 G’s, while the Elantra Limited pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The K4 GT-Line Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Elantra Limited (26.6 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

Cargo Capacity

The K4 has a larger trunk than the Elantra (14.6 vs. 14.2 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the K4 GT-Line, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Elantra doesn’t offer a memory system.

The K4 GT-Line’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Elantra doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The K4’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Elantra has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The K4’s standard driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the switch, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Elantra’s standard power window’s switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully. The K4 EX/GT-Line’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and its driver’s window also automatically closes. With the Elantra SEL Sport/Limited’s power windows, only the driver’s window opens or closes automatically.

On a hot day the K4’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Elantra can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The K4 has a standard Smart Key that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Elantra SEL/Limited offers a Proximity Key.

The K4’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Elantra’s passenger power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The K4’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Elantra and aren’t offered on the Elantra SE.

When the K4 GT-Line with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Elantra’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the K4 GT-Line keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Elantra doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the K4 and the Elantra offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the K4 GT-Line Turbo has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Elantra doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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