2016 Honda Civic vs 2016 Kia Forte
Two compact cars, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2016 Honda
Civic
7/10
The best-driving compact of its era and a genuine future classic in Si/Sport trim — just budget for the 10th-gen's greatest hits.
VS
2016 Kia
Forte
6/10
Boring is beautiful until the 2.0L Nu engine throws a rod — verify the engine warranty extension before you buy.
Milo scores the 2016 Honda Civic higher — 7/10 against 6/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Honda Civic |
Kia Forte |
| Known failure points | 8 | 5 |
| NHTSA complaints | 1071 | 1 |
| Safety recalls | 5 | 1 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 74 | 62 |
| Cheap to own | 78 | 72 |
| Fun factor | 72 | 38 |
| Holds value | 82 | 48 |
| Enthusiast cred | 70 | 22 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2016 Honda Civic
CVT judder/shudder on 2.0L LX/EX — usually torque converter or fluid degradation
$150–$3,50080k–120k mi
2016 Kia Forte
2.0L Nu MPI engine bearing wear/knock leading to potential engine seizure (part of the broader Kia/Hyundai engine recall campaigns, though this specific VIN's recall history should be checked)
$4,000–$6,50060k–100k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2016 Honda Civic
2016 Civic EX-T Hatchback or Sedan with the 6-speed manual and 1.5L turbo, built September 2016 or later. Bonus points for a car whose original owner already had the steering rack goodwill'd and the recall fuel pump replaced. Sport trim and Touring add nav/leather but the drivetrain is what you're buying.
✅ 2016 Kia Forte
2016 Forte SX with the 1.6T engine and 6-speed manual — best blend of fun, fuel economy, and Kia's stronger turbo reliability record versus the troubled 2.0L Nu.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.